The much anticipated ‘Paris Moment for Biodiversity’ arrived on the last day of the UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal with the signing of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The GBF lays down 4 global goals and 23 targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, besides other measures to stop and reverse biodiversity loss and protect vital ecosystems. The framework will seek to completely stop the loss of areas of high biodiversity importance, including ecosystems of high ecological integrity. More than 100 countries had signed up for the 30X30 pledge even before the commencement of COP15 and it is the most important part of the GBF. Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) have agreed to place 30% of terrestrial and marine areas under protection, including inland waters and coastal areas. The framework will prioritize ecologically-representative, well-connected and equitably governed systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation, recognizing indigenous and traditional territories and practices. Image Courtesy: Author The GBF will mobilize at least $200 billion per year in biodiversity-related funding from all sources by 2030 and increase financial flows to developing countries. Parties also established a multilateral fund for equitable sharing of benefits from Digital Sequence Information (DSI), which has many applications and will help biodiversity-rich developing countries like India with the necessary funds for conservation of nature and biodiversity. Multinational companies and financial institutions will now have to monitor, assess, and disclose all the risks, dependencies and impacts of their business operations on biodiversity as per the provisions of the GBF. The framework will seek to progressively phase out or reform by 2030 subsidies that harm biodiversity by at least $500 billion per year. Another GBF goal is to reduce global food waste, overconsumption, and waste generation. Target 16 will aim to ensure that people are encouraged and enabled to make sustainable consumption choices including by establishing supportive policy, legislative or regulatory frameworks, improving education and access to relevant and accurate information and alternatives. Image Courtesy: Author Target 10 of the GBF elaborates on the sustainable management of areas under agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, and forestry through agroecological and other innovative approaches contributing to long-term efficiency and food security. Gender equality is addressed in Target 23, with emphasis on the implementation of the framework through a gender-responsive approach and recognizing equal rights and access to land and natural resources, and informed participation and leadership at all levels. A press statement released to announce the launch of the GBF warned that “Without such action, there will be a further acceleration in the global rate of species extinction, which is already at least tens to hundreds of times higher than it has averaged over the past 10 million years.” With monitoring mechanisms that were absent in earlier agreements and the GBF will facilitate the restoration of vital ecosystems, reverse biodiversity loss and propel us towards a nature positive future. About the Author: Rituraj Phukan is an environmental writer, adventurer & naturalist based out of Assam. He serves as the National Coordinator for Biodiversity, Climate Reality India and is a member of the IUCN.

The deluge in Assam not a new occurrence as it takes place every year. Assam, an integral part of Northeaster India’s “Seven Sister States” shares common border with Bangladesh and Bhutan, and has influence of diverse cultures and ethnicities. It is also connected to Nepal, China and Burma via West Bengal, Sikkim, Mizoram and Manipur, respectively. With an enormous network of rivers, Assam has been prone to climate havocs like land erosion and floods, marring the developmental activities of the state. The Brahmaputra and Barak rivers have 50 tributaries that act as protagonists in causing flood and erosion desolations during monsoons. However, floods and erosions in Assam are singularly different from those occurring in other states, and are unique, if the magnitude of erosion, and extent and duration of floods are considered. According to RBA, 39.58 percent of Assam’s total land area is prone to floods. In 2022, more than 6 lakhs of people in 500+ villages and 11 districts were affected due to floods, as per Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) report in July. One of our Climate Reality Leaders from Assam, Gaurab Talukdar, whose house was also submerged in water, provided us with real life images of the grim situation. On request, he could get into waist-deep water to capture a few shots to comprehend the scenario and gravity and share with us a portrayal of the flood situations in Assam. Here are some of the shots form his lenses. “Water, water, everywhere, And all the boards did shrink; Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink.” The pictures remind me of most-used lines of ST Coleridge’s, “The Rime of Ancient Mariner.” The spread of flood water compels me to think about the life of the people, who have lost their dear ones and houses. What they must be going through! The survivors in the affected regions don’t have access to basic things and facilities that they need for leading a life. Let alone food and utility objects, access to drinkable water seems like a far-fetched dream in such scenarios. In the photos shared below, you can see how the need for survival supersedes the need for hygiene and sanitation, health, and happiness. While Gaurab’s family and neighbourhood are trying to get back to normalcy, he recalls the devastation. “It was horrible. Houses are gone. Roads are gone. Farms are gone. Floods shake you from within,” he said. “Wherever you set your eyes, you get to see endless horizons of water; unimaginable pain of people; sufferings; and so much more to be overwhelmed,” he takes a heavy breath. He explains it further, “I mean, you can see people trying their best to cope and get back on their feet at the earliest as they have responsibilities and a vision for their future (however and whatever, it maybe). I’m still in a better position, owing to the geography I live in. But it was unthinkable to figure out what we are left with if we don’t have a life in the first place. What if everything just gets washed away in a whooosh (he waves his hand)? Even if we do, is the life going to be safe and qualitative? We, surely, can’t neglect the health, next to survival, but is that an immediate possibility? Such questions keep hitting you hard.” Early this month, the Centre releasing INR 648.90 crores for disaster assistance to Assam (for the victims of floods and landslides) was in the news. A few days ago this month, the Assam government launched Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) programme to extend rehabilitation grants to the flood victims whose houses were damaged by floods this year. According to the news, a list of flood-damaged houses is prepared that amounts to 2, 04, 348 houses that were either partially or severely damaged. Nevertheless, keeping aside all the temporary solutions and arrangements, its high time that a new perspective is added to the format of mitigation, wherein Sustainability Education should be positioned as the prime driver of long-term solution. Unless and until people are aware and educated about climate change, acts of sustainability, and how to enhance disaster-preparedness, it is going to be a rough walk. We’re set on a journey of empowering people with education. At The Climate Project Foundation (TCPF), we focus on actions that empower our climate reality leaders’ network and societies so they can stand firm and strong in the fight of climate change. We impart sustainability education in different versions, and our projects like Green Campus Program, Teachers’ Training Program, Principals’ Conclave and One Million Fruit Tree Plantation along with focused Workshops & Training Sessions, and Strategic Collaborations, support us in translating our vision into reality. You can get to know more about our initiatives here. However, the devastations due to inundations in Assam (on one hand) and facing extreme sweltering with rising temperatures a few days later (on the other hand), seems quite alarming. Needless to say, we need to gear up and be planet-wiser now, and not shut the eyes to any ray of hope that we witness in the dismal times, even if it shows up in a blink. About the Authors Photos/ Images by Garuab Talukdar Gaurab is a Climate Reality Leader trained during Global Training in 2020. He is bird enthusiast, nature photographer and filmmaker from Assam, India. He has pursued Masters in Economics from Assam University, Silchar, Assam. He has played an active role in human-elephant conflict mitigation programs with communities, providing awareness in schools and wildlife rescues. He is also a Green Hub Fellow (2018), where he learned documentary filmmaking and conservation issues. Written by Smruti S Samantray Smruti is a Climate Reality Leader trained during Global Training in 2015 in New Delhi. She supports sustainability education in every inch, and tries to promote the same at optimum levels, as she firmly believes that it will help mitigating the climate crisis in the most efficient and effective way, while securing future. She has pursued Master’s in Urban Environment Management & Law , National Law University — Delhi and WWF, and Master’s in Mass Communication.

For the second year in a row, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are not showing any progress. The Sustainable Development Report (SDR) is a global assessment of countries’ progress towards achieving these goals, and this year, India has been placed at 121st rank among 163 countries from where data was available for the rankings. The data for India indicate ‘Stagnating’ trends for 7 of the SDGs including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life On Land), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The worst trend is for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) in a ‘Red box’ representing ‘Major challenges’ and a ‘Decreasing’ trend. All indicators for SDG 11 are either decreasing or stagnating. The ones classified as ‘Moderately Improving’ fall under SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), with most placed in ‘Red boxes’ having ‘Major challenges’ towards their realization. No information is available for SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) to indicate trend and is in a box of ‘Significant challenges.’ The two ‘Green’ boxes are SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) with both showing trends of ‘On track or maintaining SDG achievement’. All indicators for SDG 12, including municipal solid waste, electronic waste, plastic waste export, and emissions of SO2 and Nitrogen are ‘Green’ indicating targets on track or already achieved. Similarly for SDG 13, all indicators of CO2 emissions are either on target or SDG is already achieved. The average SDG Index score slightly declined in 2021, partly due to slow or nonexistent recovery in poor and vulnerable countries. Multiple and overlapping health and security crises have led to a reversal in SDG progress. Performance on SDG 1 and 8 remains below pre-pandemic levels in many low-income countries and lower-middle-income countries. This is a major setback, especially considering that before the pandemic, over the period 2015–2019, the world was progressing on the SDGs, with poorer countries making greater gains than rich countries. The 7th edition of the SDR is published exactly fifty years after the release of Limits to Growth and the first UN Conference on the Environment, held in Stockholm in 1972. SDR 2022 comes at a time when the fundamental SDG principles of social inclusion, international cooperation, responsible production and consumption, and universal access to clean energy are being challenged by multiple health, security and climate crises. Although the top ten countries in the SDG Index are all in Europe, the detailed dashboards show that major SDG challenges remain even in these countries, especially on SDGs 12 -15 (related to climate and biodiversity) and in relation to international spillovers. Image Courtesy: Felipe, Pixabay Low-income countries tend to have lower SDG Index scores. This is partly due to the nature of the SDGs, which focus to a large extent on ending extreme poverty and providing access for all to basic services and infrastructure. Overall, East and South Asia has progressed on the SDGs more than any other region since their adoption in 2015, with Bangladesh and Cambodia showing the most progress of all countries. Therefore, India’s ranking is a cause for concern and needs a realignment of policy actions. The achievement of the SDGs is held back by severe financial constraints faced by the developing countries that have further aggravated due to pandemic and the war. The key to achieving the SDGs, besides preserving peace and lowering geopolitical tensions, is having a proper plan to finance them. Ahead of the SDG Summit in September 2023, which is slated to convene at the level of heads of state under the auspices of the UN General Assembly, the SDR 2022 identifies major priorities to restore and accelerate SDG progress towards 2030 and beyond. Source: Sachs, J., Kroll, C., Lafortune, G., Fuller, G., & Woelm, F. (2022). Sustainable Development Report 2022. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. About the Author: Rituraj Phukan is an environmental writer, adventurer & naturalist based out of Assam. He serves as the National Coordinator for Biodiversity, The Climate Project Foundation, and is a member of the IUCN.

Although oceans appear limitless, they are not immune to the damage that we cause to them. Every year, tons of waste get dumped in the ocean affecting the quality of the ecosystem and lives of aquatic animals. They are critical to our existence and contribute to balancing nature’s cycles. Keeping this in view, the Ocean Conference was held last month, co-hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Portugal. It took place at a critical time as the world is walking towards the path of protecting oceans, while addressing problems deep-rooted in our societies that are laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic. Needlessly, they will require major structural transformations and common shared solutions that are anchored in the SDGs. To mobilize action, the Conference will seek to propel much needed science-based innovative solutions aimed at starting a new chapter of global ocean action. We must conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. The overarching theme of the Conference is “Scaling up ocean action based on science and innovation for the implementation of Goal 14: stocktaking, partnerships and solutions-UN. According to the World Meteorological Organization’s State of the Global Climate 2021 report, the world’s oceans in 2021 grew to their warmest and most acidic levels on record. Carbon emissions from human activities are causing and intensifying ocean warming, acidification and oxygen loss, which in turn threatens the survival of the living organisms and ecosystem, and negatively impacts food security, tourism industry and the economy. The science is clear: the ocean — critical to combating climate change; boosting economic growth; and reducing biodiversity loss — is seriously degraded, and if present trends continue, there will be catastrophic consequences for the planet. Heads of the Government and State together with leaders from the private sector, the scientific community and other partners will gather at the Conference to chart a new pathway that would ensure the protection and conservation of the ocean and its resources. Elsie Gabriele, the author in the conference (Image Courtesy: Author) In addition to plenary sessions, there were 8 interactive dialogues focusing on a wide range of ocean issues: from addressing marine pollution to promoting ocean-based economies to increasing scientific knowledge and transfer of marine technology. These dialogues offer individuals and communities opportunities to forge bold commitments to advance ocean action. The official programme was accompanied by four special events focusing on youth, the sustainable blue economy, fresh- and saltwater interlinkages and ocean action at the local and regional level. Youth and Innovation Forum, Cascais, Portugal (24–26 June) The Youth and Innovation Forum is a platform for advancing ocean action and implementing youth-led solutions. It seeks to help young entrepreneurs and innovators scale up their initiatives, projects and ideas through professional training and matchmaking with mentors, investors, the private sector and government officials. Localising Action for the Ocean: Local and Regional Governments Forum, Matosinhos, Portugal (25 June) This program is focused on local and regional governments and other stakeholders to announce new voluntary commitments in support of Ocean Action. The event intends to facilitate a discussion on opportunities and initiatives that can support sustainable adaptation for coastal cities and regions, including financing innovation and scaling up activities related to ocean protection. High-Level Symposium on Water, Lisbon, Portugal (27 June) This Symposium offers a platform that brings together political leaders and decision makers at high authorities dealing with both “fresh” and “salt” water, reflecting on how to better connect these two communities to guarantee an integrated vision of the water cycle. By doing so, the symposium seeks to strengthen the role of water and ocean in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement. Elsie Gabriele interacting with the European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinquevicius, during the clean-up activity of the Carcavelos beach in Oeiras in the last week of June, 2022 for the UN Ocean Conference Portugal (Image Courtesy: Author) Sustainable Blue Economy Investment Forum, Cascais, Portugal (28 June) The forum was an opportunity to establish a common language for a sustainable ocean economy and to explore how to build synergies between integrated Ocean Management Plans, trade finance, marketing and distribution value chains and the private sector. With billions of humans and animals depending upon health of our Oceans, it is imperative to take actions for the ocean. No matter how small or where you are, the ocean is affected by us all, you never know how the plastics from our own backyards and kitchen land up at our oceans. ~ Elsie, reporting from Lisbon About the Author: Elsie Gabriel is the National Coordinator Oceans, The Climate Project Foundation. She is also the Founder of Young Environmentalists Programme Trust.