According to the Biomass Action Network at the CBD COP16 in Cali, countries have agreed to Goal 18 of the 2022 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) (see below), leading to increased demand for large-scale concentrated energy generation from forest biomass. The subsidy needs to be urgently phased out from next year. ,Columbia.
CBD COP16: Biomass is the wrong solution
Many of the climate crisis pledges include burning forest biomass for energy as a mitigation measure. This is a false solution that has no effect on reducing emissions. It has serious negative impacts on the climate, biodiversity, indigenous peoples and local communities, lacks a rights-based approach, and can only be justified by exploiting loopholes in carbon accounting.
The draft decision being considered by CBD COP16 Agenda 11 includes several references to harmful subsidies, and states parties should identify and eliminate financial flows that cause harm at national and international levels. There are calls to eliminate it by redirecting funding flows or phasing it out. Text negotiations will begin later this week.
“Subsidies for forest biomass energy need to be abolished as soon as possible, as they rely on large-scale clear-cutting of natural forests and large-scale conversion of natural ecosystems to monoculture plantations. Neither act It also involves large-scale destruction of biodiversity,” said Peg Putt, campaign coordinator at the Biomass Action Network.
The so-called “sustainability” standards applied in some jurisdictions are overwhelmed by the magnitude of impacts and have the effect of amounting to greenwashing, which seeks to avoid real action to protect biodiversity. Contains no provisions.
Act now and act effectively
Biomass Action Network calls on participants at CBD COP16 to:
Designate direct and indirect subsidies for forest biomass as the most harmful incentives for biodiversity by 2025 and substantially phase them out by 2030 in accordance with GBF target 18. These include clearing virgin forests and converting forests and other ecosystems into energy plantations. Develop your country's National Biodiversity Strategy Action by including a time-bound plan to eliminate all harmful subsidies, as this can go a long way towards redirecting the freed-up funds towards funding positive action on biodiversity. Update the plan (NBSAP).
GBF target 18 is as follows.
By 2025, identify incentives, including subsidies that are harmful to biodiversity, and eliminate, phase out or reform them in a proportionate, fair, equitable, effective and equitable manner and at least annually by 2030. Significant and gradual reductions of $500 billion. Expand positive incentives for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use while providing the most harmful incentives.
Featured image via Canary
