Biodiversity hinges on China conference

Significance

The meeting will set a new Global Biodiversity Framework and agree targets to be met by 2030. Scientists and civil society organisations consider it an opportunity to set in train the political leadership and public engagement needed to address the urgent global biodiversity crisis.

Impacts

• China has an opportunity to show leadership on global environmental governance and to showcase its biodiversity conservation achievements.
• The BRI will face criticism for the biodiversity impacts of its infrastructure projects overseas.
• Financing arrangements for implementing any agreements will be crucial, and difficult to agree.