Kumning-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at COP15

We welcome the adoption of the Kumning-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at #COP15, with a clear mission to take urgent action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss to put nature on a path to recovery by 2030.

We welcome targets for 30% of land and sea to be managed for nature by 2030, and to ensure that 30% of degraded ecosystems are under restoration by 2030. The wide-ranging framework covers crucial actions like:

• embedding the value of nature across policy
• eliminating nature-harming subsidies
• spatial planning that protects biodiversity
• high quality green infrastructure that enables everyone to benefit from nature
• nature-friendly farming and forestry practices
• indigenous and community rights and participation
• nature based solutions that deliver for climate, nature and people.

Every one of the previously agreed Aichi Targets was missed, so now is the time for urgent action. With the UK being one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, UK government must now ensure UK policy delivers on the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

This means:

• ensuring robust and enforceable environmental regulations – the Retained EU Law Bill which threatens 600+ environmental regulations is at odds with the GBF and must be canned
• an Environmental Land Management Scheme that enables farmers and land managers to deliver on the GBF by paying public money for public goods
• ensuring proper protections of our irreplaceable ancient woods and trees
• ambitious woodland creation targets in line with the evidence of what's needed to meet Net Zero, which also deliver for nature and people
• an England Land Use Framework that enables land use to better deliver for nature, climate and people.

The precarious state of nature both globally and at home in the UK necessitates a strong response. The Woodland Trust stands ready to support the UK government and its agencies in translating the GBF to real action that delivers.

Notes to editors

For more details about this release contact Natalie Stephenson, senior PR officer at the Woodland Trust on 0343 7705795 or email nataliestephenson@woodlandtrust.org.uk

About the Woodland Trust

The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the UK. It has over 500,000 supporters. It wants to see a UK rich in native woods and trees for people and wildlife.

The Trust has three key aims:

1. protect ancient woodland which is rare, unique and irreplaceable
2. restoration of damaged ancient woodland, bringing precious pieces of our natural history back to life
3. plant native trees and woods with the aim of creating resilient landscapes for people and wildlife.

Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 29,000 hectares. Access to its woods is free so everyone can benefit from woods and trees.