The COP on Biodiversity takes place every 2 years. In 2022, it resulted in an agreement on the Global Framework for Biodiversity, which sets targets for signatory countries to protect biodiversity by 2030 and 2050. In 2026, during COP17, signatories of the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework will be providing a first report on the relevance of their national strategies to implementing the agreement. Given the important biodiversity financing gap, the topic of funding will be central to ensure that commitments for 2030 will be met.
The FSWP call for the integration of waste management into National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs)
In order to preserve biodiversity and reduce pollution and resource extraction, whilst safeguarding health, the climate, resilience and jobs, thereby contributing to all of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Waste managed in a manner that does not comply with ESM pollutes soil, water and air, degrades habitats and poisons wildlife. The FSWP calls for the following actions:
- Preventing waste generation, particularly through the circular economy which reduces waste generation and the use of natural resources, thereby helping to reduce human pressure on ecosystems, fauna and flora;
- Expand universal waste collection everywhere and for everyone, to prevent waste, particularly plastics and microplastics, from leaking into the environment, both on land and at sea;
- End mismanagement of waste to protect the immediate environment, while offering local communities a safe alternative;
- Recover material and energy, to reduce pressure on natural resources and dependence on fossil fuels and virgin materials;
- Improving landfills, moving to 100% engineered landfills, improving operating practices and diverting recyclable waste away from landfill.
To read all of the FSWP’s key messages for COP17 :
INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION TO ENABLE LOCAL ACTION
These messages are in line with the Position put forward by the Global Push initiative , which aims to bring together stakeholders in the resources and waste sectors around three common objectives:
(1) Extending municipal solid waste collection to everyone and end uncontrolled dumping and burning; and progressively implementing waste recovery and treatment systems in accordance with Environmentally Sound Management (ESM);
(2) Implementing the actions of circular economy, and taking steps to transition towards sustainable models of production, consumption and usage;
(3) Improving governance systems, including the four enablers described above.
The waste prevention and management actions set out above to protect biodiversity directly reflect these objectives. The Position is voluntary and entails no obligations: each country may endorse it at its own pace to affirm its support for the proposed vision and its willingness to move in this direction. As the aim of the Global Push initiative is to establish well-informed international frameworks on waste prevention and management to facilitate projects that contribute to sustainable development as a whole, the FSWP stands ready to discuss this with you.
