Governments failing to enact even modest biodiversity targets, warns
Greenpeace at biodiversity summit
Cancun, 4 December 2016 - The 13th
Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity, meeting in
Cancun from 4-17 December, will review progress made towards the implementation
of previous key commitments, especially the “
Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020”
and the achievement of the
Aichi
Biodiversity Targets, agreed in 2010.
Commenting on the opening of
the meeting, Richard Page, biodiversity advisor to Greenpeace International,
said:
“Biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate and governments are
failing to implement even the modest targets they have set for
themselves.
“In 2010, governments said they will protect 10% of the
oceans by 2020. With only four years to go, only 3% of the oceans are protected
and of that only a shocking 1% is fully protected. Governments must be honest in
Cancun and admit that they have not done enough to meet the targets they have
set for themselves. They need to commit to bold new steps to protect the
biodiversity we all depend on.”
A small Greenpeace delegation is
attending the Cancun meeting to remind governments of the commitments they have
made and the urgency with which they must act.
The Greenpeace ship
Rainbow Warrior will arrive in the Cancun area on 7 December and highlight the
beauty and fragility of the Mesoamerican reefs.
“The ship´s presence will
highlight the urgent need for more and better controlled ocean sanctuaries in
Mexico and around the world,” said Miguel Rivas, Ocean Campaigner at Greenpeace
México.
Greenpeace is using the Rainbow Warrior and the COP in Mexico to
highlight the situation of the vaquita, a highly endangered porpoise endemic to
the Gulf of California. The vaquita’s precarious situation highlights the need
for fully protected oceans sanctuaries.
Note to editors:
1.
Link to Greenpeace briefing on oceans and marine biodiversity:
here.
Media
contacts:
Greenpeace International Press Desk,
pressd...@greenpeace.org,
phone:
+31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours)
Angélica Simón, Media
Coordinator, Greenpeace México, email:
asi...@greenpeace.org, mobile: (52) (55)
40 84 53 20/ (52) (55) 34 31 35 44
Richard Page, Oceans expert for
Greenpeace at CBD COP13, email:
richardw...@btinternet.com,
mobile:
+44(0) 7718 920573Miguel Rivas, Oceans expert, Greenpeace
México, email,
miguel...@greenpeace.org,
mobile:
+52 1 55 40 19 53 00 /
+52 1 55 69 71 16 61Aleira Lara, Food for
Life project leader, Greenpeace México, email:
aleir...@greenpeace.org, mobile:
+52 1 55 40 84 53 19--
Tristan Tremschnig
Communications Hub Manager | Asia
Pacific