News

New Delhi, Dec 3 (Ians) Meeting just before a high stakes Un Biodiversity Conference in Montreal, the Global Environment Facility’s governing body approved new biodiversity funding and backed a new youth leadership programme supporting the next generation of conservation scientists.

In its 63rd meeting, the Gef Council endorsed 65 million for biodiversity projects, including more than 18 million to support the development of biodiversity finance plans in 26 countries.

Gef Council members, meeting virtually, also approved the establishment of a new Gustavo Fonseca Youth Conservation Leadership program to support the education of promising young conservationists from developing countries.

The programme, in honour of tropical scientist Gustavo Fonseca, the Gef’s long-serving Director of Programs who passed away in August, will include conservation fellowships, grants for biodiversity field work, awards for participation in international conservation events, and a recurrent global conservation symposium bringing together young environmental leaders.

“This programme will focus on youth and...

And at a time when the health of the planet is under threat, another remarkable achievement last week was from the ninth meeting of the Cites Conference of the Parties as it adopted 46 out of 52 proposals, and a record 365 decisions to protect flora and fauna.

After COP27 and Cites summits, the world will be on the road to Un Biodiversity Conference (COP15) from December 3-19 in Montreal, a once-in-a-decade opportunity to usher in a new global framework to protect and conserve the world’s biodiversity by signing ‘Paris deal’ for nature.

Climate change and the loss of biodiversity are the two sides of the same coin. "I think that this is something that we understood a decade ago, and we’re working for more integrations across the different conventions," says Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, the CEO of the Global Environment Facility.

COP15, with a high-level segment from December 15-17, is expected...