“High-level” discussions at COP15 began Thursday at the Palais des Congrès in Montreal. And it was Chinese President Xi Jinping who kickstarted these four days of intense negotiations to finalize a new global biodiversity framework.
Updated yesterday at 8:25pm.
More than 100 ministers representing as many countries have arrived in Montreal in recent days for the “high-level segment” that began on Thursday and will discuss the political issues of a possible agreement on a global framework for biodiversity.
The appearance of the ministers “completely changed the atmosphere,” said Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Secretary General of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, at the end of the day.
PHOTO ANDREJ IVANOV, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Secretary General of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
This “positive atmosphere” should help to overcome remaining disagreements on both the ambition of the goals and how to achieve them, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed added.
“The means to set it up must be in place, that’s where the tensions lie,” she pointed out, recalling that there is little time left to finalize the key agreements for the adoption of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
“Unprecedented” mobilization
Amina J. Mohammed was also enthusiastic about the general mobilization towards biodiversity, which she observes in Montreal and describes as unprecedented.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations
We have never seen such commitment from the private sector, from civil society. That’s a good thing, it gives the necessary impetus for an ambitious result.
Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations
Earlier Thursday, President Xi Jinping addressed delegates and ministers in attendance via videoconference during a plenary session chaired by China’s Environment Minister Huang Runqiu. “We need to build a global consensus on biodiversity,” he said in a speech in Mandarin.
“We must encourage development to protect biodiversity. […] We must work together to ensure a better future for all,” he added.
“We need to review our production, consumption and transportation methods,” said UN General Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi.
“We must live in harmony with nature and not try to dominate it,” said Canadian Minister for Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault.
PHOTO RYAN REMIORZ, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Delegates attend the opening of “high-level” talks at COP15 on Thursday.
“Quebec answers present”
For his part, Quebec Premier François Legault said he hoped COP15 would be a historic moment. “I wish we could write a Montreal moment in the history books. »
“Biodiversity has not been given the importance it should have,” admitted the Prime Minister in his address to delegates.
We have an extraordinary opportunity to change things before us.
Francois Legault, Prime Minister of Quebec
“Quebec is responding and I hope everyone will do the same,” said Mr. Legault, who also took the opportunity to recall that his government will present a bill to set up the Blue Fund at the next session of Parliament, providing funding of 650 million .
However, keep in mind that the creation of the Blue Fund is a promise of the Coalition Avenir Québec’s last election campaign. It would be funded, among other things, by increasing royalties from industries sourcing water from Quebec territory.
Taking to Twitter, Alice de Swarte, Senior Director of the Quebec Section of the Society for Nature and Parks (SNAP), described Mr Legault’s announcement as “recycling”. Several civil society groups in Quebec have also criticized the Quebec government for not taking any concrete action at COP15. CPAWS, for example, would have liked to see Quebec announce its intention to protect the Magpie River on the north shore.
Discussions resumed throughout the day to find a common ground for funding requested by developing countries. In the evening, the negotiations were continued in a working group formed for this purpose.
Blue background and transparency
A commitment to transparency will be included in the bill creating the Blue Fund, Minister for the Environment, Combating Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks Benoit Charette said later in the day.
Data on water withdrawals by Québec companies, which are currently protected by trade secrets, will be made public.
This precision has been welcomed by the Quebec Center for Environmental Law and Eau Secours, who have been campaigning for several years for more transparency in what they believe is essential for responsible water management.
The water law will be the first on environmental issues to be tabled at the next parliamentary session, the CAQ government promises.