Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
The 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) marked the first meeting since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in 2022.
The main agreement from COP16 was recognition of the role Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) play in the conservation of biodiversity. A global fund, to be known as ‘the Cali Fund’, was also established to enable industries benefiting from the use of digital genetic information to share those benefits with developing countries and IPLCs.
At the conference countries also highlighted the need for better integration of national biodiversity and climate plans. Our Climate Adaptation Strategy for Wales 2024 provides an excellent example of how we are responding to tackling the climate and nature emergencies. Through schemes such as our Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) we are working collaboratively with the farming industry to reduce the agricultural sector's carbon footprint, to sequester carbon, and enhance the resilience of Wales' natural landscapes to climate change alongside the ongoing sustainable production of food.
At COP16, Welsh Government officials attended the 8th Summit for Regional Governments and Cities as members of the Regional High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People working group and Regions4. At the conference we showcased our sector leading experience on river and peatland restoration and emphasised Wales’ commitment to protecting and managing 30% of its land and seas by 2030.
Wales plays an important role in achieving global biodiversity goals. Alongside our commitment to global targets we will also be introducing domestic targets. We have committed to introduce a Bill into the Senedd that will embed environmental principles into Welsh law, establish a new governance body to ensure robust oversight of environmental law by Welsh public authorities, as well as introduce a strategic nature recovery framework, which will include biodiversity targets. This landmark piece of legislation will signal our clear commitment that action and leadership to tackle the climate and nature emergency remain a top priority for this Welsh Government.
I acknowledge that strong action needs to be taken to enable us to progress implementation of our biodiversity plans and drive forward finance and investment in biodiversity and nature. By working collaboratively with other devolved governments, our partners and the people of Wales we can forge ahead at pace to drive action at a local level across Wales.
Turning to the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP29.
The main agreement from COP29 was for rich nations to provide $300bn annually to developing nations, with an overall target of £1.3trillion by 2035. This replaces the previous goal of $100 billion annually and becomes the New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance. The purpose of this funding is to help developing countries to improve their resilience to threats posed by climate change, and to benefit from the opportunities of the transition to clean energy.
At the conference, countries also agreed the rules for a new UN-backed global carbon market, making country-to-country trading and a carbon crediting mechanism, first put forward in the Paris Agreement, fully operational. The rules offer reassurance that there will be environmental integrity through a transparent process of checks and reporting.
On adaptation, the focus at COP29 was on the Least Developed Countries, particularly paving the way to establish a support programme to implement National Adaptation Plans.
In both agreements on carbon markets and adaptation, the importance of hearing the voice of, engagement with, and seeking agreement from Indigenous People was made explicit.
While it is disappointing there was no agreement to the finance goal sought by developing nations including those most vulnerable to the threats pose by climate change, I recognise and welcome the step forward agreed at COP29. Each step forward is important, and it is only by acting together, as globally responsible nations, will we tackle the climate crisis.
I am proud of Wales’s international reputation as a globally responsible country, taking action at home and abroad. At home we will continue to take the action needed to reduce our emissions, bringing benefits to the people, economy and environment of Wales through green growth and green jobs, as we follow a just transition to net zero. We will also continue to support regional governments and communities in developing nations to tackle the climate crisis, through our partnerships with the Under2 Coalition, and Size of Wales.
At COP29, Welsh Government Officials attended the General Assembly of the Under2 Coalition, of which Wales is a steering group member. Under the theme of “Uniting Leaders, Driving Change’’, and looking ahead to the deadline for UN Parties to submit new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the General Assembly discussed how devolved and state governments would use their influence with UN Parties, to drive greater NDC ambition, and unlock climate finance, to further enable global action.
I welcome the leadership shown by UK and Brazil’s Governments in announcing ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions at COP29, ahead of the February 2025 deadline. As we look ahead to COP30 in Brazil next year, I look forward to working with UK Government, Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive as we collectively drive progress on our net zero plans in the UK, and to working with our international partners to find answers to the challenges we all face.