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Rewilding: Organisations which own a third of England’s land sign pact to boost biodiversity and tackle climate crisis

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UK project gets £10m for biodiversity research

Scientists%20have%20discovered%20a%20new%20coral%20reef%20in%20the%20ocean%E2%80%99s%20mysterious%20twilight%20zone.%0A%0AThe%20reef%2C%20which%20stretches%20for%20around%20two%20miles%20off%20Tahiti%20and%20thrives%20at%20a%20depth%20of%20around%20230%20feet%2C%20appears%20untouched%20by%20the%20climate%20crisis%20and%20offers%20hope%20that%20there%20is%20more%20biodiversity%20to%20be%20discovered%20in%20unexplored%20parts%20of%20the%20ocean.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CFor%20once%2C%20it%E2%80%99s%20a%20positive%20story%20about%20coral%20reefs%20in%20the%20news%2C%20which%20is%20quite%20rare%20these%20days%2C%E2%80%9D%20United%20Nations%20Educational%2C%20Scientific%20and%20Cultural%20Organization%20(UNESCO)%20head%20of%20marine%20policy%20Julian%20Barbiere%20told%20CNN.%0A%0AThe%20new%20reef%20exists%20in%20the%20ocean%E2%80%99s%20twilight%20zone%2C%20a%20transitional%20part%20of%20the%20ocean%20that%20still%20receives%20enough%20light%20to%20sustain%20life.%20It%20is%20one%20of%20the%20largest%20reefs%20discovered%20at%20a%20depth%20of%20more%20than%2030%20meters%20(approximately%2098%20feet)%2C%20The%20Guardian%20reported.%20It%20was%20first%20found%20in%20November%20as%20part%20of%20a%20UNESCO-led%20mission%20to%20French%20Polynesia.%20Researchers%20spent%20200%20hours%20diving%20and%20exploring%20the%20coral%20and%20even%20watched%20it%20spawn.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%20was%20magical%20to%20witness%20giant%2C%20beautiful%20rose%20corals%20which%20stretch%20for%20as%20far%20as%20the%20eye%20can%20see%2C%E2%80%9D%20Alexis%20Rosenfeld%2C%20a%20French%20underwater%20photographer%20and%20member%20of%20the%20expedition%20team%2C%20told%20The%20Guardian.%20%E2%80%9CIt%20was%20like%20a%20work%20of%20art.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20discovery%20comes%20at%20a%20perilous%20time%20for%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20coral%20reefs.%20A%202020%20study%20found%20that%20the%20amount%20of%20living%20coral%20had%20been%20halved%20since%201950%20because%20of%20overfishing%2C%20pollution%20and%20the%20climate%20crisis%2C%20CNN%20reported.%20Climate%20change%20puts%20corals%20at%20risk%20because%20warmer%20marine%20temperatures%20encourage%20coral%20bleaching%20and%20the%20increased%20carbon%20dioxide%20in%20the%20atmosphere%20leads%20to%20ocean%20acidification.%20Scientists%20predict%20that%2070%20to%2090%20percent%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20remaining%20coral%20will%20disappear%20in%20the%20next%2020%20years.%20%0A%0AHowever%2C%20the%20fact%20that%20this%20new%20reef%20appears%20so%20healthy%20offers%20hope.%20Intact%20reefs%20take%2025%20to%2030%20years%20to%20develop%20and%20thrive%2C%20so%20the%20new%20reef%20has%20been%20around%20for%20decades%20at%20least.%20Scientists%20think%20it%20may%20offer%20clues%20for%20how%20to%20protect%20other%20vulnerable%20reefs.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20think%20that%20deeper%20reefs%20may%20be%20better%20protected%20from%20global%20warming%2C%E2%80%9D%20Laetitia%20H%C3%A9douin%2C%20a%20marine%20biologist%20with%20the%20French%20National%20Centre%20of%20Scientific%20Research%20and%20the%20environmental%20research%20center%20CRIOBE%2C%20told%20CNN.%20%E2%80%9CSo%20the%20discovery%20of%20this%20reef%20in%20such%20a%20pristine%20condition%20is%20good%20news%20and%20can%20inspire%20future%20conservation.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AIt%20also%20highlights%20the%20importance%20of%20understanding%20and%20protecting%20deeper%20parts%20of%20the%20ocean.%20It%20was%20found%20as%20part%20of%20a%20project%20to%20map%20the%20seabed%20known%20as%20the%20Seabed2030%20Project%2C%20BBC%20News%20reported.%20%0A%0ABarbiere%20said%20there%20may%20be%20many%20other%20unique%20ecosystems%20hiding%20in%20the%20shadowy%20parts%20of%20the%20ocean.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20should%20be%20working%20to%20map%20them%20and%20to%20protect%20them%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.

New Reef Discovered in Deep Waters off Tahiti

Severn%20Trent%2C%20has%20launched%20a%20programme%20to%20fully%20fund%20and%20manage%20tree%20planting%20for%20farmers%20and%20landowners%20across%20the%20region%2C%20offering%20an%20annual%20premium%20payment%20of%20%C2%A3200%2Fha%20for%20the%20first%2010%20years%2C%20for%20sites%20over%208ha%20in%20size.%0A%0AThe%20scheme%20will%20cover%20all%20aspects%20of%20planning%2C%20planting%2C%20management%2C%20and%2035%20years%20of%20maintenance%2C%20explains%20Ricky%20Dallow%2C%20Severn%20Trent%20commonwealth%20forest%20delivery%20manager.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99ll%20also%20take%20on%20all%20the%20carbon%20code%20paperwork%2C%20which%20covers%20the%20registration%2C%20validation%20and%20verification%20of%20the%20woodland%20for%20the%20full%2035%20years%2C%20when%20normally%20a%20landowner%20would%20need%20to%20employ%20an%20agent%20to%20do%20this%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20says.%0A%0ASevern%20Trent%20will%20also%20set%20each%20site%20up%20with%20a%20Biodiversity%20Net%20Gain%20(BNG)%20baseline%20assessment%2C%20which%20will%20help%20landowners%20attain%20biodiversity%20credits%2C%20from%20the%20local%20planning%20authority%20or%20property%20developers%2C%20as%20laid%20out%20in%20the%20Environment%20Bill.%0A%0AThese%20credits%20could%20be%20worth%20approximately%20%C2%A324%2C710%2Fha%20of%20new%20woodland%20created%2C%20for%2030%20years%20(subject%20to%20purchaser%E2%80%99s%20requirements).%0A%0AMr%20Dallow%20explains%20that%20this%20scheme%20is%20part%20of%20Severn%20Trent%E2%80%99s%20partnership%20with%20Birmingham%202022%20Commonwealth%20Games.%0A%0AAs%20Official%20Nature%20and%20Carbon%20Neural%20Supporter%2C%20Severn%20Trent%20is%20supporting%20Birmingham%202022%20Commonwealth%20Games%20in%20its%20pledge%20to%20leave%20a%20carbon-neutral%20legacy%2C%20which%20includes%20the%20creation%20of%202%2C022%20acres%20of%20native%20forest%20across%20the%20region.%0A%0AHe%20adds%20that%20after%20the%2035-year%20period%2C%20which%20is%20the%20estimated%20timescale%20for%20offsetting%20the%20Games%2C%20landowners%20will%20have%20the%20ability%20to%20keep%20or%20sell%20the%20residual%20carbon%20credits%2C%20making%20the%20offering%20an%20ideal%2C%20hassle%20and%20cost-free%20investment%20for%20those%20looking%20to%20leave%20a%20legacy%20for%20their%20successors.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20carbon%20credits%20from%20woodland%20planted%20as%20part%20of%20this%20project%20have%20the%20potential%20to%20be%20worth%20%C2%A315%2C434%2Fha%20after%20the%2035-year%20period%20(based%20on%20current%20BEIS%20values)%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Mr%20Dallow.%20Severn%20Trent%20is%20also%20open%20to%20working%20with%20landowners%20to%20develop%20a%20more%20flexible%20tree%20planting%20plan.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CFor%20instance%2C%20we%20can%20price%20match%20labour%20costs%2C%20if%20landowners%20have%20in-house%20staff%2C%20or%20we%20can%20consider%20alternative%20planting%20techniques%2C%20such%20as%20agroforestry%2C%20if%20on%20a%20large%20enough%20scale%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20concludes.

Severn Trent plots tree planting payment programme

Australia%E2%80%99s%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20is%20suffering%20widespread%20and%20severe%20coral%20bleaching%20due%20to%20high%20ocean%20temperatures%20two%20years%20after%20a%20mass%20bleaching%20event%2C%20a%20government%20agency%20said%20on%20Friday.%0A%0AThe%20report%20by%20the%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20Marine%20Authority%2C%20which%20manages%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20largest%20coral%20reef%20ecosystem%2C%20comes%20three%20days%20before%20a%20United%20Nations%20delegation%20is%20due%20to%20assess%20whether%20the%20reef's%20World%20Heritage%20listing%20should%20be%20downgraded%20due%20to%20the%20ravages%20of%20climate%20change.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWeather%20patterns%20over%20the%20next%20few%20weeks%20will%20be%20critical%20in%20determining%20the%20overall%20extent%20and%20severity%20of%20coral%20bleaching%20across%20the%20Marine%20Park%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20authority%20said.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CBleaching%20has%20been%20detected%20across%20the%20Marine%20Park%20%E2%80%94%20it%20is%20widespread%20but%20variable%2C%20across%20multiple%20regions%2C%20ranging%20in%20impact%20from%20minor%20to%20severe%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20authority%20added.%0A%0AThe%20reef%20has%20suffered%20significantly%20from%20coral%20bleaching%20caused%20by%20unusually%20warm%20ocean%20temperatures%20in%202016%2C%202017%20and%202020.%20The%20previous%20bleaching%20damaged%20two-thirds%20of%20the%20coral.%0A%0AThe%20environmental%20group%20Greenpeace%20said%20the%20severe%20and%20widespread%20coral%20bleaching%20suffered%20during%20a%20La%20Ni%C3%B1a%20weather%20pattern%20that%20is%20associated%20with%20cooler%20Pacific%20Ocean%20temperatures%20was%20evidence%20of%20the%20Australian%20government%E2%80%99s%20failure%20to%20protect%20the%20coral%20from%20the%20impacts%20of%20climate%20change.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20a%20sure%20sign%20that%20climate%20change%20caused%20by%20burning%20coal%2C%20oil%20and%20gas%20is%20threatening%20the%20very%20existence%20of%20our%20reef%2C%E2%80%9D%20Greenpeace%20Australia%20Pacific%20Climate%20Impacts%20Campaigner%20Martin%20Zavan%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0AIn%20July%20last%20year%2C%20Australia%20garnered%20enough%20international%20support%20to%20defer%20an%20attempt%20by%20UNESCO%2C%20the%20United%20Nations%E2%80%99%20cultural%20organization%2C%20to%20downgrade%20the%20reef%E2%80%99s%20World%20Heritage%20status%20to%20%E2%80%9Cin%20danger%E2%80%9C%20because%20of%20damage%20caused%20by%20climate%20change.%0A%0ABut%20the%20question%20will%20be%20back%20on%20the%20World%20Heritage%20Committee%E2%80%99s%20agenda%20at%20its%20next%20annual%20meeting%20in%20June.%0A%0AA%20U.N.%20delegation%20will%20inspect%20the%20reef%E2%80%99s%20health%20next%20week.

Great Barrier Reef suffers coral bleaching

BarcelonaTech%20(UCP)%2C%20in%20collaboration%20with%20scientists%20from%20the%20Massachusetts%20Institute%20of%20Technology%20in%20the%20US%2C%20the%20Instituto%20de%20Desenvolvimento%20Sustent%C3%A1vel%20Mamirau%C3%A1%20in%20Brazil%2C%20and%20the%20Delft%20University%20of%20Technology%20in%20the%20Netherlands%2C%20are%20cooperating%20on%20a%20project%20to%20develop%20a%20technology%20that%20will%20revolutionise%20the%20protection%20of%20biodiversity%20in%20rainforests.%0A%0AThe%20project%20participates%20in%20the%20XPRIZE%20Rainforest%2C%20a%20%2410m%20international%20competition%20aiming%20to%20transform%20our%20understanding%20of%20the%20complexity%20of%20rainforests%20and%20shed%20light%20on%20the%20importance%20of%20protecting%20their%20biodiversity.%0A%0ABarcelonaTech%20(UPC)%2C%20is%20the%20only%20Spanish%20team%20among%20the%2036%20international%20groups%20from%2018%20countries%20selected%20to%20participate%20in%20the%20XPRIZA%20Rainforest.%20Promoted%20by%20the%20XPRIZE%20Foundation%2C%20the%20%2410m%20XPRIZE%20Rainforestis%20a%20five-year%20competition%20that%20challenges%20scientists%20around%20the%20world%20to%20develop%20novel%20technologies%20to%20rapidly%20and%20comprehensively%20survey%20rainforest%20biodiversity%20and%20use%20that%20data%20to%20improve%20our%20understanding%20of%20this%20ecosystem%20and%20protect%20its%20biodiversity.%0A%0AThe%20XPRIZE%20Rainforest%20also%20promotes%20business%20investment%20to%20develop%20new%2C%20just%20and%20sustainable%20bioeconomies.%20Teams%20competing%20in%20the%20XPRIZE%20Rainforestare%20required%20to%20develop%20a%20technological%20solution%20to%20survey%20the%20most%20biodiversity%20contained%20in%20100%20hectares%20of%20tropical%20rainforest%20in%2024%20hours%20and%20produce%20impactful%20insights%20within%2048%20hours.%20The%20deadline%20for%20developing%20and%20presenting%20the%20entries%20is%20spring%202023%2C%20then%2010%20teams%20will%20advance%20to%20finals.%20In%20late%20April%202024%2C%20the%20winners%20of%20the%20first%2C%20second%20and%20third%20prizes%20will%20be%20announced.%0A%0APreserving%20the%20value%20of%20rainforests%20from%20deforestation%0A%0ARainforests%20are%20critical%20to%20the%20survival%20of%20the%20human%20race.%20They%20play%20a%20key%20role%20in%20stabilising%20the%20climate%20by%20absorbing%20CO2%20and%20releasing%20the%20oxygen%20on%20which%20we%20depend.%20They%20cover%20less%20than%2010%25%20of%20the%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20land%20surface%2C%20but%20they%20house%20some%2050%20million%20inhabitants%20and%20over%2050%25%20of%20the%20planet%E2%80%99s%20biodiversity.%0A%0AAlthough%20they%20are%20the%20most%20biodiverse%20ecosystems%2C%20scientists%20have%20a%20limited%20knowledge%20of%20them.%20The%20value%20of%20the%20trees%20and%20the%20species%20that%20live%20there%20is%20not%20fully%20realised%20and%20our%20ability%20to%20learn%20more%20is%20restricted%20since%20the%20rainforest%20environment%20is%20very%20dense%2C%20vast%20and%20complex.%0A%0AProtecting%20these%20ecosystems%20from%20deforestation%20is%20therefore%20more%20necessary%20than%20ever.%20The%20rapid%20disappearance%20of%20tropical%20forests%20is%20also%20leading%20to%20the%20extinction%20of%20an%20alarming%20number%20of%20species.%20Despite%20all%20this%2C%20adequate%20tools%20and%20methods%20have%20still%20not%20been%20developed%20to%20monitor%20the%20conditions%20of%20present%20wildlife%20at%20the%20speed%20and%20scale%20that%20is%20required%20to%20effectively%20mitigate%20their%20decline.%20However%2C%20technology%20can%20help%20to%20expand%20this%20knowledge%20and%20reveal%20unknown%20aspects.%0A%0AListening%20to%20species%20using%20sensors%2C%20drones%2C%20and%20robotic%20technology%0A%0AProvidence%2B%20aims%20to%20%E2%80%98take%20the%20pulse%E2%80%99%20of%20rainforests%20utilising%20a%20set%20of%20specific%20bio-indicators%20to%20monitor%20species%20in%20real%20time.%20This%20will%20help%20to%20assess%20population%20dynamics%20and%20the%20eco%20acoustic%20indices%20of%20the%20biodiversity%20in%20rainforests.%0A%0AThis%20project%20was%20preceded%20in%202016%20by%20technology%20developed%20by%20the%20UPC%E2%80%99s%20Bioacoutic%20Applications%20Laboratory%20(LAB)%20and%20the%20Instituto%20de%20Desenvolvimento%20Sustent%C3%A1vel%20Mamirau%C3%A1%20within%20the%20framework%20of%20the%20Providence%2B%20initiative%20to%20monitor%20and%20understand%20wildlife.%20A%20network%20of%20sensors%20is%20currently%20and%20constantly%20monitoring%20the%20biodiversity%20under%20the%20canopy%20of%20tropical%20forests.%0A%0AThe%20system%20also%20identifies%2C%20through%20images%20and%20sounds%2C%20a%20large%20number%20of%20species%2C%20more%20than%20any%20other%20technology%20has%20been%20able%20to%20achieve%20so%20far.%20With%20wireless%20data%20transmission%20and%20low%20energy%20consumption%2C%20it%20is%20designed%20to%20operate%20for%20long%20periods%20of%20time%20with%20no%20demand%20for%20maintenance.%0A%0ANow%20the%20Providence%2B%20scientific%20team%20will%20enha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Protecting biodiversity in rainforests

At%20the%20bottom%20of%20a%20630-foot%20sinkhole%20in%20China%20lies%20a%20green%20surprise%3A%20an%20ancient%20forest%20with%20trees%20stretching%20nearly%20130%20feet%20out%20of%20the%20depths.%0A%0AThe%20unusual%20sinkhole%20was%20first%20discovered%20by%20cave%20explorers%20in%20China%E2%80%99s%20southern%20Guangxi%20region%2C%20who%20alerted%20scientists%20to%20their%20find%2C%20according%20to%20The%20Guardian.%20After%20confirming%20the%20forest%E2%80%99s%20existence%2C%20researchers%20think%20it%20has%20even%20more%20secrets%20to%20reveal.%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CI%20wouldn%E2%80%99t%20be%20surprised%20to%20know%20that%20there%20are%20species%20found%20in%20these%20caves%20that%20have%20never%20been%20reported%20or%20described%20by%20science%20until%20now%2C%E2%80%9D%20expedition%20leader%20Chen%20Lixin%20said%2C%20as%20The%20Guardian%20reported.%20%0A%0ALixin%E2%80%99s%20team%20completed%20their%20expedition%20on%20May%206%2C%20USA%20TODAY%20reported.%20In%20addition%20to%20the%20trees%2C%20they%20also%20encountered%20undergrowth%20that%20reached%20their%20shoulders.%20The%20sinkhole%20contains%20three%20caves%20and%20has%20a%20total%20volume%20of%205%20million%20cubic%20meters%2C%20meaning%20it%20would%20take%202%2C000%20Olympic%20swimming%20pools%20to%20fill%20it.%20It%20is%201%2C000%20feet%20long%20and%20500%20feet%20wide.%20It%20is%20also%20the%2030th%20sinkhole%20found%20in%20China%E2%80%99s%20Leye%20county%2C%20according%20to%20China%E2%80%99s%20state-run%20Xinhua%20news%20agency.%20It%20was%20found%20near%20the%20village%20of%20Ping%E2%80%99e%20in%20Luoxi%20township.%0A%0AKnown%20as%20%E2%80%9Ctiankeng%2C%E2%80%9D%20or%20%E2%80%9Cheavenly%20pits%E2%80%9D%20in%20China%2C%20giant%20sinkholes%20are%20common%20in%20this%20portion%20of%20the%20country%2C%20The%20Washington%20Post%20reported.%20It%20is%20a%20karst%20landscape%2C%20which%20is%20a%20landscape%20formed%20when%20rainwater%20mixes%20with%20carbon%20dioxide%20and%20wears%20away%20at%20bedrock%2C%20National%20Cave%20and%20Karst%20Research%20Institute%20(NCKRI)%20executive%20director%20George%20Veni%20told%20Live%20Science.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CBecause%20of%20local%20differences%20in%20geology%2C%20climate%20and%20other%20factors%2C%20the%20way%20karst%20appears%20at%20the%20surface%20can%20be%20dramatically%20different%2C%E2%80%9D%20Veni%2C%20who%20was%20not%20a%20part%20of%20the%20exploration%2C%20told%20Live%20Science.%20%E2%80%9CSo%20in%20China%20you%20have%20this%20incredibly%20visually%20spectacular%20karst%20with%20enormous%20sinkholes%20and%20giant%20cave%20entrances%20and%20so%20forth.%20In%20other%20parts%20of%20the%20world%20you%20walk%20out%20on%20the%20karst%20and%20you%20really%20don%E2%80%99t%20notice%20anything.%20Sinkholes%20might%20be%20quite%20subdued%2C%20only%20a%20meter%20or%20two%20in%20diameter.%20Cave%20entrances%20might%20be%20very%20small%2C%20so%20you%20have%20to%20squeeze%20your%20way%20into%20them.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%0AVeni%20said%20the%20presence%20of%20the%20ancient%20forest%20was%20not%20necessarily%20surprising.%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%E2%80%99s%20not%20unusual%20to%20have%20trees%20growing%20out%20of%20cave%20entrances%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20told%20The%20Washington%20Post.%20%E2%80%9CIt%E2%80%99s%20just%20that%20this%20%5Bsinkhole%5D%20is%20particularly%20large%20and%20particularly%20deep%2C%20so%20it%E2%80%99s%20not%20the%20sort%20of%20thing%20that%20most%20people%20would%20expect.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AStill%2C%20he%20acknowledged%20to%20Live%20Science%2C%20%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20cool%20news.%E2%80%9D

Giant sinkhole with a forest inside found in China

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ine%20species%20such%20as%20dolphins%20and%20porpoises%2C%20sharks%20and%20seabirds%2C%0ARemoving%20river%20barriers%20so%20that%20at%20least%2025%2C000%20km%20of%20rivers%20are%20turned%20into%20free-flowing%20rivers%20by%202030.

EU tables landmark 'Nature Restoration Law'

Marine%20scientists%20monitoring%20the%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20say%20they%20have%20recorded%20the%20highest%20levels%20of%20coral%20cover%20in%2036%20years%20in%20the%20north%20and%20central%20areas%2C%20but%20warned%20any%20recovery%20could%20be%20quickly%20overturned%20by%20global%20heating.%0A%0AThe%20Australian%20Institute%20of%20Marine%20Science%E2%80%99s%20annual%20long-term%20monitoring%20report%20says%20the%20fast-growing%20corals%20that%20have%20driven%20coral%20cover%20upwards%20are%20also%20those%20most%20at%20risk%20from%20marine%20heatwaves%2C%20storms%20and%20the%20voracious%20crown-of-thorns%20(COTS)%20starfish.%0A%0AGlobal%20heating%20is%20accepted%20by%20scientists%20as%20the%20reef%E2%80%99s%20biggest%20long-term%20threat.%0A%0AEarlier%20this%20year%2C%20unusually%20hot%20ocean%20temperatures%20caused%20the%20first%20ever%20mass%20bleaching%20during%20a%20La%20Ni%C3%B1a%20year%20%E2%80%93%20a%20natural%20climate%20phase%20that%20should%20have%20given%20corals%20a%20respite.%0A%0AThe%20first%20ever%20mass%20bleaching%20on%20the%20reef%20was%20recorded%20in%201998%2C%20but%20since%20then%20corals%20were%20hit%20in%202002%2C%202016%2C%202017%2C%202020%20and%20again%20earlier%20this%20year.%0A%0AThe%20prognosis%20for%20the%20reef%E2%80%99s%20future%20under%20climate%20change%2C%20the%20report%20said%2C%20was%20one%20of%20increasingly%20frequent%20and%20longer-lasting%20marine%20heatwaves%2C%20with%20the%20ongoing%20risk%20of%20COTS%20outbreaks%20and%20tropical%20cyclones.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CMitigation%20of%20these%20climatic%20threats%20requires%20immediate%20global%20action%20on%20climate%20change%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20report%20said.%0A%0ADr%20Mike%20Emslie%2C%20who%20leads%20the%20Australian%20Institute%20of%20Marine%20Science%20monitoring%20program%2C%20told%20the%20Guardian%3A%20%E2%80%9CThe%20fact%20that%20we%20have%20had%20four%20bleaching%20events%20in%20the%20last%20seven%20years%20and%20the%20first%20one%20in%20a%20La%20Ni%C3%B1a%20year%20is%20really%20concerning.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ASurveys%20are%20carried%20out%20by%20towing%20divers%20over%20reefs%20at%20a%20standardised%20rate%2C%20recording%20corals%2C%20bleaching%20levels%2C%20COTS%20and%20the%20number%20of%20coral%20trout%20and%20sharks.%0A%20%0AAbout%20half%20of%20the%2087%20reefs%20surveyed%20for%20the%20report%20were%20carried%20out%20before%20the%20most%20recent%20bleaching%20event%20unfolded%20in%20February%20and%20March%20this%20year.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20effects%20of%20the%202022%20mass%20bleaching%20event%20are%20still%20unfolding%2C%20and%20its%20impact%20will%20only%20be%20known%20over%20the%20coming%20months%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20report%20said.%0A%0AAerial%20surveys%20carried%20out%20in%20March%20by%20the%20Australian%20Institute%20of%20Marine%20Science%20and%20the%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20Marine%20Park%20Authority%20covered%20750%20individual%20reefs.%0A%0AThe%20fast-growing%20acropora%20species%20of%20branching%20and%20plate-like%20corals%20that%20were%20pushing%20coral%20cover%20up%20were%20also%20preferred%20prey%20for%20COTS%2C%20he%20said.%0A%0AIn%20the%20northern%20parts%20of%20the%20reef%2C%20the%20monitoring%20data%20showed%20coral%20cover%20averaged%2036%25%20%E2%80%93%20a%20record%20high%2C%20with%20the%20lowest%20levels%20in%20the%20region%20at%2013%25%20recorded%20in%202017.%0A%0ACoral%20cover%20averaged%2033%25%20in%20the%20central%20area%20%E2%80%93%20another%20record%20high%20compared%20to%20the%202019%20low%20of%2014%25.%0A%0AIn%20the%20southern%20region%2C%20the%20average%20coral%20cover%20dropped%20from%20a%202021%20estimate%20of%2038%25%20to%2034%25.%0A%0AWhile%20bleaching%20was%20widespread%20across%20the%20reef%20in%20February%20and%20March%2C%20Emslie%20said%20the%20heat%20stress%20had%20not%20reached%20levels%20likely%20to%20cause%20corals%20to%20die.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CTo%20get%20at%20the%20impacts%20%5Bof%20the%20latest%20bleaching%5D%20we%20won%E2%80%99t%20know%20until%20we%20do%20in-water%20surveys%20over%20the%20next%20few%20weeks.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CBut%20bleaching%20does%20have%20sublethal%20affects%20and%20will%20affect%20the%20physiology%20of%20the%20corals%20because%20while%20they%20bleach%20they%20have%20been%20starving.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AHe%20said%20there%20was%20evidence%20that%20even%20when%20corals%20did%20not%20die%20from%20bleaching%2C%20the%20phenomenon%20could%20reduce%20their%20ability%20to%20reproduce%2C%20slow%20their%20growth%20and%20make%20them%20more%20susceptible%20to%20coral%20disease.%0A%0AHe%20said%20it%20could%20take%20a%20year%20or%20more%20for%20those%20sublethal%20effects%20to%20become%20apparent.%0A%0AAs%20bleaching%20events%20were%20happening%20more%20often%2C%20future%20bleaching%20events%20could%20%E2%80%9Creverse%20the%20observed%20recovery%20in%20a%20short%20amount%20of%20time%E2%80%9D%2C%20he%20said.%0A%0AThe%20most%20recent%20mass%20bleaching%20coincided%20with%20a%20UN%20monitoring%20mission%20to%20the%20reef%20that%20had%20been%20requested%20by%20the%20Morrison%20government%2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Record coral cover on parts of Great Barrier Reef

The%20Australian%20government%20has%20signed%20a%20global%20pledge%20endorsed%20by%20more%20than%2090%20countries%20committing%20them%20to%20reversing%20biodiversity%20loss%20by%202030.%0A%0AThe%20prime%20minister%2C%20Anthony%20Albanese%2C%20announced%20Australia%20had%20joined%20the%20Leaders%E2%80%99%20Pledge%20for%20Nature%20at%20an%20event%20taking%20place%20on%20the%20sidelines%20of%20the%20UN%20General%20Assembly%20in%20New%20York.%0A%0AIn%20a%20video%20message%2C%20he%20said%20Australia%E2%80%99s%20approach%20to%20environmental%20challenges%20had%20changed%20and%20the%20government%20understood%20climate%20change%20and%20the%20global%20loss%20of%20biodiversity%20were%20dual%20crises.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20highlights%20Australia%E2%80%99s%20reinvigorated%20approach%20to%20protecting%20our%20environment%20and%20climate%20leadership%20and%20signals%20our%20solidarity%20with%20other%20world%20leaders%20in%20our%20commitment%20to%20taking%20strong%20action%20on%20the%20dual%20crises%20of%20biodiversity%20loss%20and%20climate%20change%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%0A%0AThe%20Leaders%E2%80%99%20Pledge%20for%20Nature%20is%20the%20same%20document%20the%20Morrison%20government%20refused%20to%20sign%20in%202020%20because%20it%20called%20for%20commitments%20that%20were%20inconsistent%20with%20Australia%E2%80%99s%20policies%20at%20the%20time%2C%20including%20greater%20ambition%20to%20reduce%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions.%0A%0AThe%20pledge%20was%20developed%20by%20the%20Alliance%20of%20Small%20Island%20States%20(AOSIS)%2C%20Belize%2C%20Bhutan%2C%20Colombia%2C%20Costa%20Rica%2C%20the%20EU%2C%20Finland%2C%20Kenya%2C%20Seychelles%2C%20the%20UK%20and%20an%20alliance%20of%20organisations.%0A%0ACountries%20that%20have%20endorsed%20the%20pledge%20have%20promised%20actions%20including%20stronger%20global%20effort%20to%20reduce%20deforestation%2C%20halting%20unsustainable%20fishing%20practices%2C%20eliminating%20environmentally%20harmful%20subsidies%2C%20and%20beginning%20the%20transition%20to%20sustainable%20food%20production%20systems%20and%20a%20circular%20economy%20during%20the%20next%20decade.%0A%0AThe%20document%20promises%20action%20to%20reduce%20biodiversity%20loss%20and%20stop%20human-caused%20extinctions%20of%20other%20species.%0A%0AIn%20December%2C%20countries%20will%20meet%20in%20Montreal%20for%20global%20talks%20aimed%20at%20securing%20a%20new%20global%20agreement%20for%20nature%20that%20has%20been%20likened%20to%20the%20Paris%20agreement%20for%20climate%20change.%0A%0AAlbanese%20told%20the%20event%20in%20New%20York%20that%20Australia%20understood%20%E2%80%9Cthe%20urgency%20of%20the%20environmental%20challenges%20facing%20our%20planet%20and%20we%E2%80%99re%20committed%20to%20being%20a%20leader%20in%20the%20global%20fight%20to%20solve%20them%E2%80%9D.%0A%0AAdvertisement%0A%0AHe%20noted%20Australia%E2%80%99s%20important%20position%20as%20one%20of%20only%20a%20handful%20of%20megadiverse%20countries%20that%20comprised%2010%25%20of%20the%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20surface%20but%20were%20home%20to%20more%20than%2070%25%20of%20its%20species.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWorking%20together%20we%20can%20better%20protect%20and%20conserve%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20land%2C%20sea%2C%20waterways%20and%20cultural%20heritage%20for%20future%20generations%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%20%E2%80%9CNow%20is%20the%20time%20to%20act.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AWWF-Australia%E2%80%99s%20chief%20executive%2C%20Dermot%20O%E2%80%99Gorman%2C%20said%20the%20new%20government%20had%20signalled%20to%20other%20countries%20that%20the%20environment%20was%20back%20as%20a%20priority%20for%20Australia.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20look%20forward%20to%20working%20with%20the%20government%20to%20ensure%20this%20pledge%20translates%20into%20action%20that%20helps%20regenerate%20Australia%20and%20supports%20our%20neighbours%20in%20the%20Asia%20Pacific%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%0A%0AO%E2%80%99Gorman%20said%20Australia%E2%80%99s%20internationally%20prized%20landscapes%20were%20deteriorating%20and%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20land-clearing%20and%20extinction%20rates%20were%20among%20the%20highest%20in%20the%20developed%20world.%0A%0AThe%20five-yearly%20State%20of%20the%20Environment%20report%20found%20the%20health%20of%20Australia%E2%80%99s%20environment%20was%20poor%20and%20deteriorating%20and%20at%20least%2019%20ecosystems%20were%20showing%20signs%20of%20collapse.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20on%20the%20frontline%20of%20the%20escalating%20nature%20crisis%20and%20we%20can%20play%20a%20global%20leadership%20role%20in%20addressing%20it%2C%E2%80%9D%20O%E2%80%99Gorman%20said.%0A%0AThe%20chief%20executive%20of%20the%20Australian%20Conservation%20Foundation%2C%20Kelly%20O%E2%80%99Shanassy%2C%20said%20the%20prime%20minister%E2%80%99s%20announcement%20was%20promising.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20see%20Mr%20Albanese%E2%80%99s%20involvement%20as%20an%20indication%20that%20the%20federal%20government%20will%20start%20to%20take%20the%20biodiversity%20crisis%20seriously%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20said.%0A%0AShe%20called%20on%20Albanese%20and%20the%20environment%20minister%2C%20Tanya%20Plibersek%2C%20to%20attend%20the%20UN%20biodiversity%20conference%20(Cop15)%20in%20Montreal%20in%20December.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAt%20present%2C%20Australia%20is%20failing%20to%20meet%20its%20international%20obligations%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20said.%20%E2%80%9CConservation%20efforts%20are%20hugely%20underfunded%20and%20only%20100%20of%20Australia%E2%80%99s%20more%20than%201%2C900%20listed%20threatened%20species%20and%20communities%20are%20prioritised%20for%20recovery%20action.%E2%80%9D

Australia signs global nature pledge committing

Companies%20with%20combined%20annual%20revenues%20of%20%241.5trn%20are%20calling%20on%20world%20leaders%20to%20mandate%20that%20all%20large%20businesses%20and%20financial%20institutions%20should%20assess%20their%20impacts%20and%20dependencies%20on%20nature%20by%20the%20end%20of%20the%20decade.%0A%0AThe%20call%20to%20action%20is%20being%20made%20ahead%20of%20the%20UN%E2%80%99s%2015th%20Biodiversity%20COP%20(COP15)%20in%20Montreal%20this%20December.%20COP15%20was%20due%20to%20have%20taken%20place%20in%20Kunming%2C%20China%2C%20in%202020%2C%20but%20has%20faced%20numerous%20delays%20during%20the%20pandemic%20as%20well%20as%20challenges%20relating%20to%20slow%20progress%20in%20negotiations.%20Its%20chief%20aim%20is%20to%20develop%20and%20implement%20a%20post-2020%20biodiversity%20treaty%20for%20the%20world%2C%20with%20a%20headline%20ambition%20to%20halt%20nature%20loss%20this%20decade.%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20proposed%20treaty%20targets%20that%20has%20received%20much%20coverage%20is%20the%20need%20for%20nations%20to%20agree%20to%20protect%2030%25%20of%20their%20lands%20and%20seas%20for%20nature%20by%202030.%20Measures%20regarding%20corporate%20mandates%20are%20also%20under%20discussion%2C%20including%20a%20proposal%20for%20all%20large%20businesses%20and%20financial%20institutions%20to%20assess%20and%20disclose%20their%20impacts%20and%20dependencies%20on%20biodiversity%2C%20by%202030.%20%20This%20mandate%20could%20be%20implemented%20by%20nations%20in%20a%20manner%20similar%20to%20existing%20climate%20reporting%20requirements.%0A%0ASupporting%20the%20inclusion%20of%20this%20proposal%20in%20the%20final%20treaty%20today%20are%20more%20than%20330%20corporates%20and%20financial%20institutions%2C%20convened%20by%20Business%20for%20Nature.%20Those%20in%20support%20of%20the%20call%20span%20from%2052%20countries%2C%20with%20the%20UK%20being%20the%20most-represented%20country%20in%20the%20cohort.%0A%0ABusinesses%20supporting%20the%20move%20include%20Anheuser-Busch%20InBev%20(AB%20Inbev)%2C%20British%20American%20Tobacco%20(BAT)%2C%20Burberry%20Group%2C%20Danone%2C%20Dentsu%2C%20Diageo%2C%20DSM%2C%20GSK%2C%20H%26M%20Group%2C%20Holcim%2C%20Ikea%2C%20Inditex%2C%20Kering%2C%20L%E2%80%99Oreal%2C%20Mahindra%2C%20Natura%20%26%20Co.%2C%20Nestle%2C%20%20Prada%20Group%2C%20Sainsbury%E2%80%99s%2C%20Salesforce%2C%20Suntory%20Holdings%2C%20Tata%20Steel%2C%20Unilever%20and%20Volvo%20Car%20Group.%20From%20finance%2C%20supporters%20include%20AXA%20Group%2C%20Aviva%20Investors%2C%20BNP%20Paribas%2C%20%20Legal%20%26%20General%20and%20UBP%20Asset%20Management.%0A%0AA%20report%20published%20by%20the%20World%20Economic%20Forum%20(WEF)%20in%202020%20concluded%20that%20at%20least%20half%20of%20global%20GDP%20is%20moderately%20or%20highly%20dependent%20on%20nature.%20In%20signing%20the%20call%20to%20action%2C%20the%20businesses%20and%20financial%20firms%20acknowledge%20this%2C%20and%20call%20for%20world%20leaders%20to%20recognise%20the%20role%20of%20the%20private%20sector%20in%20previously%20creating%20nature%E2%80%99s%20decline%20and%20its%20responsibility%20to%20buck%20the%20trend.%0A%0ABusiness%20for%20Nature%E2%80%99s%20executive%20director%20Eva%20Zabey%20described%20nature-related%20disclosures%20as%20%E2%80%9Can%20important%20first%20step%E2%80%9D%20to%20halting%20decline%20and%20working%20towards%20restoration%20at%20scale.%0A%0AShe%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20an%20essential%20first%20step.%20Without%20this%20information%2C%20we%20are%20flying%20blind%20into%20extinction.%20Frameworks%20being%20developed%20now%20will%20support%20this%20transition%2C%20and%20companies%20stand%20ready%20to%20transform%20their%20businesses.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CReal%20change%20happens%20when%20voices%20unite.%20Today%20businesses%20and%20financial%20institutions%20are%20sending%20governments%20a%20clear%20message.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20call%20to%20action%20follows%20on%20from%20WWF%E2%80%99s%20latest%20%E2%80%98Living%20Planet%E2%80%99%20report.%20That%20major%20report%20puts%20the%20average%20population%20size%20decline%20for%20wildlife%20globally%20at%2069%25%20since%201970.%20Decline%20has%20been%20particularly%20steep%20in%20the%20Amazon%20rainforest.%0A%0ADisclosure%20trends%0A%0AAlso%20supporting%20the%20call%20to%20action%20is%20CDP.%20The%20disclosure%20platform%20has%20once%20again%2C%20this%20year%2C%20posted%20a%20steeper%20uptick%20in%20climate%20data%20disclosure%20than%20in%20disclosures%20on%20nature.%20Some%2018%2C600%20companies%20report%20climate%20data%20through%20CDP%2C%20compared%20to%203%2C900%20reporting%20on%20water%20security%20and%201%2C000%20reporting%20on%20forests.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAt%20present%2C%20too%20many%20companies%20are%20blind%20not%20only%20to%20the%20material%20risks%20they%20face%2C%20but%20ignorant%20to%20the%20opportunities%20associated%20with%20protecting%20and%20restoring%20nature%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20CDP%E2%80%99s%20chief%20impact%20officer%20Nicolette%20Bartlett.%0A%0ABack%20in%20May%2C%20CDP%20expressed%20concerns%20that%20most%20companies%20reporting%20forest%20data%20have%20not%20publicly%20set%20no-deforestation%20and%2For%20no-ecosystem-conversion%20policies.%20It%20warned%20that%20without%20these%20policies%2C%20and%20with%20weak%20data%2C%20the%20private%20sector%20is%20set%20to%20face%20billions%20of%20dollars%20of%20unforeseen%20risk.%0A%0AOn%20water%2C%20the%20organisation%20stated%20last%20year%20that%20most%20businesses%20are%20not%20adequately%20investing%20to%20advert%20water%20stewardship%20risks%2C%20pointing%20out%20that%20the%20cost%20of%20inaction%20is%20some%20five%20times%20higher%20than%20the%20cost%20of%20credible%20action.

Businesses call for nature impact disclosures

The%20Egyptian%20resort%20town%20of%20Sharm%20El%20Sheikh%20has%20been%20transformed%20into%20the%20epicentre%20of%20efforts%20to%20address%20the%20climate%20crisis%20as%20it%20hosts%20COP27.%20But%20the%20coastline%20on%20which%20the%20UN%20climate%20conference%20is%20being%20held%20is%20more%20than%20just%20a%20backdrop%20for%20official%20negotiations.%0A%0AThe%20coral%20reefs%20that%20have%20long%20drawn%20tourists%20to%20the%20Red%20Sea%20peninsula%20are%20among%20the%20most%20biodiverse%20in%20the%20world.%20They%20are%20home%20to%20over%20a%20thousand%20different%20species%20of%20fish%20and%20around%20350%20coral%20species.%0A%0AMindful%20of%20their%20global%20importance%2C%20the%20United%20States%20Agency%20for%20International%20Development%20(USAID)%20has%20announced%20a%20major%20new%20fund%20to%20support%20the%20local%20ecosystem.%0A%0AThe%20US%20agency%20has%20contributed%20%2415%20million%20(%E2%82%AC14.9)%20to%20the%20Global%20Fund%20for%20Coral%20Reefs%20(GFCR)%2C%20it%20revealed%20at%20COP27%20on%20Tuesday%2C%209%20November.%0A%0AThis%20initiative%20is%20the%20largest%20global%20blended%20finance%20vehicle%20-%20whereby%20development%20aid%20is%20used%20to%20mobilise%20additional%20private%20or%20public%20funds%20-%20dedicated%20to%20the%20UN%20Sustainable%20Development%20Goal%20on%20%E2%80%98Life%20Below%20Water%E2%80%99.%0A%0AThe%20fresh%20injection%20of%20funds%20takes%20the%20total%20amount%20of%20money%20mobilised%20by%20the%20GCR%20since%20it%20was%20launched%20at%20the%2075th%20UN%20General%20Assembly%20in%20September%202020%20to%20%24187%20million%20(%E2%82%AC185.9%20million).%0A%0AWhy%20are%20Egypt%E2%80%99s%20coral%20reefs%20so%20important%2C%20and%20how%20will%20the%20funding%20help%3F%0A%0AAs%20well%20as%20being%20astonishingly%20beautiful%20and%20rich%20habitats%20in%20their%20own%20right%2C%20the%20fate%20of%20coral%20reefs%20is%20one%20of%20several%20major%20%E2%80%98tipping%20points%E2%80%99%20that%20could%20push%20us%20into%20climate%20catastrophe.%0A%0AAs%20ocean%20temperatures%20rise%2C%20some%20reefs%20are%20being%20bleached%20almost%20every%20year.%20It%20has%20caused%20the%20deathly%20pale%20appearance%20of%20swathes%20of%20Australia%E2%80%99s%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef.%0A%0ABlue%20finance%20and%20supporting%20coastal%20communities%0A%0AThe%20funding%20will%20%E2%80%98incubate%20and%20scale%E2%80%99%20business%20models%20that%20address%20local%20drivers%20of%20coral%20reef%20degradation%20-%20including%20overtourism.%0A%0AIt%20also%20aims%20to%20increase%20the%20resilience%20of%20local%20communities%20-%20a%20key%20part%20of%20GFCR%E2%80%99s%20approach%20in%20the%2012%20countries%20where%20it%20works%2C%20from%20Mozambique%20and%20Indonesia%20to%20Sri%20Lanka%20and%20Micronesia.%0A%0ADevelopment%20of%20the%20Egyptian%20Red%20Sea%20programme%20is%20led%20by%20the%20United%20Nations%20Development%20Programme%20Egypt%20Country%20Office.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIn%20the%20face%20of%20an%20intensifying%20climate%20crisis%2C%20USAID%E2%80%99s%20investment%20in%20the%20Red%20Sea%20Initiative%20will%20help%20to%20drive%20a%20nature-positive%20economic%20transition%20while%20boosting%20the%20climate%20resilience%20of%20coastal%20communities%20in%20Egypt%2C%E2%80%9D%20UNDP%20Administrator%20Achim%20Steiner%20adds.%0A%0A%E2%80%9C%5BIt%20is%5D%20demonstrating%20that%20change%20is%20possible%20when%20leadership%2C%20political%20will%2C%20and%20investment%20comes%20together.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AMany%20more%20%E2%80%98blue%20finance%E2%80%99%20announcements%20-%20concerning%20mangroves%20and%20seagrass%20as%20well%20as%20reefs%20-%20are%20expected%20in%20the%20coming%20days%20at%20COP27.%20%0A%0AA%20High%20Quality%20Blue%20Carbon%20Principles%20and%20Guidelines%20report%2C%20for%20example%2C%20is%20set%20to%20launch%20on%20Saturday.%0A%0A%22Nature-based%20solutions%20are%20being%20discussed%20at%20COP%2C%20but%20we%20still%20need%20to%20amplify%20the%20central%20role%20of%20nature%20in%20our%20climate%20mitigation%20and%20adaptation%20strategies%2C%E2%80%9D%20marine%20conservation%20expert%20Josheena%20Naggea%20tells%20Euronews%20Green.%0A%0AGiven%20their%20unique%20potential%20to%20withstand%20increasing%20impacts%20of%20climate%20change%2C%20the%20Red%20Sea%20reefs%20might%20be%20the%20most%20resilient%20on%20Earth.%0A%0AProtection%20of%20%E2%80%98coral%20refugia%E2%80%99%20reefs%20-%20those%20in%20climate%20cool%20spots%20-%20is%20critical%20as%20they%20offer%20the%20global%20community%20the%20opportunity%20to%20safeguard%20ecosystems.%20They%20can%20also%20act%20as%20seed%20banks%20that%20could%20bring%20degraded%20reefs%20back%20to%20a%20vibrant%20and%20productive%20state%2C%20explains%20Nicole%20Trudeau%20of%20the%20UN%20Development%20Programme.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20Red%20Sea%20is%20home%20to%20a%20rich%20underwater%20ecosystem%20that%20attracts%20millions%20of%20tourists%20who%20create%20millions%20of%20jobs%20for%20Egyptians%20and%20bring%20in%20billions%20in%20foreign%20currency%20each%20year%2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COP27 delivers €15m to protect Egypt’s coral reefs

Luxury%20fashion%20firm%20Kering%20has%20partnered%20with%20multinational%20beauty%20firm%20L%E2%80%99Occitane%20Group%20to%20launch%20a%20%E2%82%AC300m%20Climate%20Fund%20for%20Nature%20at%20COP15%20in%20Montreal.%20The%20companies%20have%20teamed%20together%20to%20launch%20the%20Climate%20Fund%20for%20Nature%2C%20which%20will%20mobilise%20finance%20from%20the%20luxury%20fashion%20and%20beauty%20sectors%20to%20fund%20projects%20that%20help%20restore%20and%20protect%20nature%2C%20train%20farmers%20and%20empower%20women.%0A%0AThe%20two%20firms%20have%20confirmed%20that%20%E2%82%AC140m%20(%C2%A3120m)%20has%20been%20committed%20out%20of%20a%20total%20%E2%82%AC300m%20(%C2%A3258m)%20target%20size.%20The%20fund%20will%20be%20open%20to%20other%20companies%20to%20help%20support%20the%20scaling%20of%20on-the-ground%20projects%20focused%20on%20restoration%2C%20regenerative%20farming%20practices%20and%20carbon%20credits.%20It%20features%20a%20specific%20emphasis%20on%20women%20empowerment.%0A%0AThe%20Fund%20was%20unveiled%20at%20the%20UN%E2%80%99s%2015th%20Biodiversity%20COP.%20Negotiations%20on%20a%20new%20global%20treaty%20for%20nature%20began%20last%20week%20and%20will%20run%20through%20to%20Saturday%2017%20December.%20It%20will%20officially%20open%20in%202023%20and%20will%20be%20managed%20by%20Mirova%2C%20the%20affiliate%20of%20Natixis%20Investment%20Managers.%0A%0AKering%E2%80%99s%20chief%20sustainability%20and%20institutional%20affairs%20officer%20Marie-Claire%20Daveu%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Climate%20Fund%20for%20Nature%20provides%20an%20opportunity%20for%20the%20Luxury%20Fashion%20and%20Beauty%20sectors%20to%20collectively%20support%20biodiversity%20restoration%20and%20conservation%20at%20scale.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CKering%20is%20proud%20to%20collaborate%20with%20Mirova%20and%20we%20welcome%20the%20fund%E2%80%99s%20first%20partner%20L%E2%80%99occitane%20Group.%20Innovative%20financing%20mechanisms%20are%20crucial%20to%20channel%20much-needed%20investment%20into%20nature-based%20solutions%20if%20we%20are%20to%20reverse%20biodiversity%20decline%20by%202030%20and%2C%20simultaneously%2C%20address%20climate%20change%2C%20which%20is%20intrinsically%20interlinked%20with%20nature.%20We%20entreat%20further%20companies%20to%20join%20this%20ambitious%20initiative%20to%20contribute%20to%20a%20nature-positive%20future.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AResearch%20suggests%20that%20investments%20in%20nature-based%20solutions%20need%20to%20at%20least%20triple%20by%202030%20and%20four-fold%20by%202050%2C%20equating%20to%20up%20to%20%2410trn%20and%20annual%20investments%20of%20%24674bn.%0A%0AAs%20such%2C%20both%20firms%20have%20been%20quick%20to%20focus%20on%20biodiversity%20as%20part%20of%20their%20wider%2C%20respective%20corporate%20strategies.%0A%0AFrench%20multinational%20beauty%20firm%20L%E2%80%99Occitane%20Group%20announced%20its%20intention%20to%20deliver%20a%20net-positive%20impact%20on%20nature%20by%202025%20%E2%80%93%20a%20visitation%20underpinned%20with%20a%20new%20biodiversity%20strategy.%0A%0AThe%20strategy%20is%20centred%20around%20four%20principles%20for%20intervention%3A%20avoiding%20negative%20impacts%20on%20nature%20wherever%20possible%3B%20minimising%20negative%20impacts%20where%20complete%20elimination%20is%20not%20possible%3B%20restoring%20ecosystems%20in%20regions%20from%20which%20materials%20are%20sourced%20and%20collaborating%20across%20the%20value%20chain%20for%20%E2%80%9Ccollective%20action%E2%80%9D.%0A%0AL%E2%80%99Occitane%20Group%20explained%20in%20a%20statement%20that%20the%20strategy%20was%20developed%20off%20the%20back%20of%20a%20biodiversity%20diagnosis%2C%20baselining%20the%20company%E2%80%99s%20impact%20to%20date%2C%20conducted%20in%20partnership%20with%20the%20Science-Based%20Targets%20Network.%20The%20statement%20called%20the%20strategy%20%E2%80%9Cfar%20from%20a%20theoretical%20exercise%E2%80%9D%2C%20stating%20that%20it%20%E2%80%9Creinforces%20an%20existing%20long-term%20commitment%20by%20giving%20the%20Group%20a%20clear%20framework%20of%20behaviour%20covering%20the%20five%20key%20areas%20of%20biodiversity%20loss%3A%20land-%2Fsea-use%20change%2C%20resource%20exploitation%2C%20pollution%2C%20invasive%20alien%20species%20and%20climate%20change%E2%80%9D.%0A%0AThe%20new%20biodiversity%20strategy%20builds%20on%20the%20business%E2%80%99s%20existing%20commitments%20to%20achieve%20B-Corp%20certification%20by%202023%20and%20to%20achieve%20net-zero%20operational%20emissions%20by%202030.%0A%0AAs%20for%20Kering%2C%20the%20company%20has%20announced%20the%20first%20cohort%20of%20seven%20projects%20to%20receive%20a%20grant%20from%20its%20%E2%80%98Regenerative%20Fund%20for%20Nature%E2%80%99%2C%20which%20was%20first%20unveiled%20in%20January%202021%20as%20part%20of%20a%20partnership%20between%20the%20luxury%20fashion%20major%20and%20Conservation%20International.%0A%0AThe%20aim%20of%20the%20fund%20is%20to%20support%20projects%20that%20will%20collectively%20transform%20one%20million%20hectares%20of%20land%20to%20host%20regenerative%2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Leading brands launch Climate Fund for Nature

Countries%20agree%20to%20protect%2030%20per%20cent%20of%20land%20and%20sea%2C%20slash%20environmentally%20harmful%20subsidies%2C%20and%20ramp%20up%20financing%20for%20nature%20restoration%20and%20protection.%20History%20was%20made%20this%20morning%20in%20a%20conference%20room%20in%20Montreal%2C%20after%20world%20governments%20adopted%20the%20most%20ambitious%20international%20commitment%20on%20biodiversity%20conservation%20ever%20seen%2C%20pledging%20to%20protect%2030%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20Earth%20by%20the%20end%20of%20the%20decade.%0A%0AThe%20new%20Kunming-Montreal%20Global%20Biodiversity%20Framework%2C%20commits%20countries%20to%20deliver%20%22urgent%20action%20to%20halt%20and%20reverse%20biodiversity%20loss%22%20so%20as%20to%20%22put%20nature%20on%20a%20pathway%20to%20recovery%22%20by%202030.%0A%0AThe%20deal%20was%20adopted%20in%20a%20plenary%20that%20started%20at%203am%20on%20Monday%20morning%2C%20more%20than%20seven%20hours%20after%20the%20meeting's%20initial%20start%20time.%20A%20lengthy%20row%20over%20the%20best%20way%20to%20finance%20the%20landmark%20package%20of%20measures%20resulted%20in%20significant%20delays%20and%20left%20some%20negotiators%20disappointed%20in%20the%20final%20outcome.%0A%0ABut%20the%20initial%20response%20from%20green%20groups%20was%20broadly%20positive%2C%20with%20observers%20hailing%20an%20agreement%20that%20should%20significantly%20ramp%20up%20pressure%20on%20governments%20to%20strengthen%20their%20nature%20protection%20policies.%0A%0A%22We%20have%20taken%20a%20great%20step%20forward%20in%20history%20today%2C%22%20said%20Steven%20Guilbeault%2C%20Canada's%20climate%20and%20environment%20minister%2C%20minutes%20after%20COP15%20President%20Huang%20Runqiu%20gavelled%20through%20the%20deal.%20He%20noted%20the%20deal%20was%20testament%20to%20China%20and%20Canada's%20ability%20to%20set%20aside%20their%20differences%20and%20work%20together.%0A%0AFor%20his%20part%20Huang%2C%20said%20the%20deal%20marked%20the%20end%20of%20a%20four%20year%20journey%20towards%20negotiating%20a%20global%20biodveristy%20framework%20that%20would%20put%20nature%20on%20a%20path%20to%20recovery%2C%20for%20the%20benefit%20of%20all%20people.%0A%0AJubilation%20among%20bleary-eyed%20delegates%20as%20the%20gavel%20came%20down%20was%20quickly%20tempered%20by%20several%20countries'%20objection%20on%20the%20manner%20the%20deal%20was%20approved%2C%20with%20critics%20slamming%20the%20COP15%20President's%20decision%20to%20ignore%20an%20objection%20raised%20by%20the%20Democratic%20Republic%20of%20the%20Congo%20on%20resource%20mobilisation%20and%20financial%20flows.%0A%0ARepresentatives%20from%20Uganda%20and%20Cameroon%20joined%20the%20DRC%20in%20criticising%20the%20President's%20hastily-made%20decision%20on%20the%20conference%20floor%2C%20with%20Uganda%20warning%20the%20adoption%20risked%20becoming%20%22a%20fraud%22%20and%20represented%20a%20%22total%20disregard%20of%20the%20rules%20of%20procedure%22%20and%20Cameroon%20characterising%20Huang's%20move%20as%20%22a%20force%20of%20hand%22%20that%20undermined%20the%20spirit%20of%20the%20convention%20and%20its%20commitment%20to%20multilateralism.%20The%20DRC%2C%20meanwhile%2C%20said%20it%20would%20be%20making%20a%20formal%20objection%20over%20the%20manner%20in%20which%20the%20agreement%20was%20adopted.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20the%20legal%20advisor%20for%20the%20Convention%20on%20Biological%20Diversity%20said%20the%20Presidenct's%20move%20had%20been%20valid%2C%20because%20the%20intervention%20had%20not%20been%20designated%20as%20a%20formal%20objection%2C%20clearing%20the%20way%20for%20the%20plenary%20to%20be%20brought%20to%20an%20end.%0A%0AAfter%20weeks%20of%20wrangling%20over%20the%20best%20way%20to%20finance%20efforts%20to%20deliver%20on%20the%20new%202030%20goals%2C%20countries%20have%20agreed%20to%20the%20formation%20of%20a%20new%20biodiversity%20fund%2C%20to%20sit%20within%20the%20UN's%20existing%20Global%20Environment%20Facility%2C%20that%20will%20pool%20development%20aid%2C%20private%20sector%20money%2C%20philanthropic%20donations%2C%20and%20funds%20raised%20through%20the%20use%20of%20digital%20sequence%20information%20of%20genetic%20resources.%20Moreover%2C%20rich%20countries%20have%20committed%20to%20increase%20international%20aid%20for%20biodiversity%20to%20%2420bn%20annually%20by%202025%2C%20rising%20to%20%2430bn%20by%202030%2C%20so%20as%20to%20help%20countries%20in%20the%20Global%20South%20with%20their%20efforts%20to%20conserve%20the%20world's%20remaining%20biodiversity%20'hotspots'%2C%20which%20are%20largely%20clustered%20in%20developing%20economies.%0A%0AThe%20historic%20package%20adopted%20in%20Montreal%20brings%20to%20a%20close%20more%20than%20four%20years%20of%20gruelling%20negotiations%20on%20how%20to%20create%20targets%20that%20drive%20effective%20action%20on%20nature%20protection%2C%20after%20the%20last%20set%20of%20goals%20-%20the%20Aichi%20Targets%2C%20agreed%20by%20governments%20at%20COP10%20in%20Japan%20-%20were%20largely%20missed.%0A%0ACOP15%20was%20origi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0the%20Wildlife%20Trusts%20said%20the%20text's%20call%20for%20governments%20to%20revise%20biodiversity%20strategies%20to%20meet%20their%20new%20commitments%20put%20the%20UK%20government%20in%20a%20bind%2C%20given%20the%20underpowered%20nature%20of%20the%20Enviornment%20Targets%20Ministers%20announced%20for%20England%20just%20last%20week.%0A%0A%22Amongst%20many%20other%20things%2C%20%5Bthe%20GBF%5D%20calls%20on%20all%20countries%20to%20revise%20their%20Biodiversity%20Action%20Plans%20and%20in%20particular%20revise%20their%20biodiversity%20and%20other%20environment%20targets%20to%20align%20with%20the%20substance%20of%20this%20new%20global%20biodiversity%20framework%2C%22%20he%20said.%20%22What%20that%20means%2C%20quite%20simply%2C%20is%20the%20UK%20government%20now%20needs%20to%20revise%20the%20very%20targets%20it%20adopted%20for%20England%20just%20two%20days%20ago.%20Because%20those%20targets%20just%20not%20good%20enough%2C%20just%20do%20not%20align%20with%20those%20that%20are%20in%20the%20global%20biodiversity%20framework%20agreed%20here%20in%20Montreal.%22%0A%0AThe%20UK%20had%20been%20one%20of%20the%20loudest%20voices%20that%20promoted%20the%20target%20to%20protect%2030%20per%20cent%20of%20land%20and%20sea%20by%20the%20end%20of%20the%20decade%2C%20but%20it%20failed%20to%20include%20a%20protected%20area%20target%20in%20its%20domestic%20plans.%20The%20government%20has%20previously%20signalled%20that%20it%20recognises%20that%20not%20all%20the%20UK's%20National%20Parks%20should%20qualify%20as%20areas%20that%20are%20protected%20for%20the%20environment%20given%20the%20depleted%20state%20of%20nature%20in%20some%20areas.%20But%20it%20is%20yet%20to%20confirm%20precisely%20how%20it%20plans%20to%20meet%20the%2030%20x%2030%20target%20and%20has%20faced%20fierce%20criticism%20from%20green%20groups%20for%20its%20failure%20to%20announce%20more%20ambitious%20environmental%20targets%20and%20push%20through%20long%20awaited%20reforms%20to%20farming%20subsidies.%0A%0AOscar%20Soria%2C%20campaign%20director%20at%20Avaaz%2C%20said%20the%20Treaty%20represented%20a%20significant%20step%20forward%2C%20but%20he%20warned%20further%20action%20was%20urgently%20needed%20to%20reverse%20the%20loss%20of%20nature%20and%20habitats%20that%20underpin%20the%20global%20economy.%0A%0A%22Extinction%20doesn't%20negotiate%20-%20the%20science%20is%20clear%20that%20we%20need%20to%20protect%20at%20least%20half%20the%20Earth%20by%202030%2C%22%20he%20said.%20%22This%20text%20is%20a%20step%20forward%20from%20where%20we%20are%2C%20but%20nature%20needs%20a%20giant%20leap.%20Governments%20should%20scale%20up%20protections%2C%20and%20deliver%20a%20clear%20plan%20for%20the%20full%20%241tr%20a%20year%20that%20is%20needed%20to%20make%20this%20agreement%20real.%22

COP15: New global deal for nature agreed

A%20scientific%20expedition%20has%20discovered%20a%20previously%20unknown%20coral%20reef%20with%20abundant%20marine%20life%20off%20Ecuador's%20Galapagos%20Islands%2C%20the%20country's%20environment%20ministry%20said%20on%20Monday.%0A%0A%22A%20deepwater%20scientific%20expedition%20has%20found%20the%20first%20totally%20pristine%20coral%20reef%2C%20approximately%20two%20kilometers%20(1.2%20miles)%20long%2C%20at%20400%20meters%20(deep)%2C%20on%20the%20summit%20of%20a%20submarine%20mountain%2C%22%20Environment%20Minister%20Jose%20Davalos%20said%20on%20Twitter.%20%22Galapagos%20surprises%20us%20again!%22%0A%0AScientists%20had%20believed%20that%20the%20only%20Galapagos%20reef%20to%20survive%20El%20Nino%20weather%20in%201982%20and%201983%20was%20one%20called%20the%20Wellington%20reef%2C%20along%20the%20coast%20of%20Darwin%20Island%2C%20but%20the%20new%20discovery%20shows%20other%20coral%20has%20persisted%2C%20the%20ministry%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0AThe%20reef%20has%20more%20than%2050%25%20living%20coral.%0A%0A%22This%20is%20very%20important%20at%20a%20global%20level%20because%20many%20deepwater%20systems%20are%20degraded%2C%22%20said%20Stuart%20Banks%2C%20senior%20marine%20researcher%20at%20the%20Charles%20Darwin%20Foundation%2C%20who%20participated%20in%20the%20expedition.%20The%20coral%20is%20several%20thousand%20years%20old%20at%20least%2C%20he%20added.%0A%0AThe%20South%20American%20country%20last%20year%20expanded%20the%20Galapagos%20marine%20reserve%20by%2060%2C000%20square%20km%20(23%2C166%20square%20miles)%2C%20an%20extension%20of%20the%20138%2C000%20square%20km%20already%20in%20place%2C%20to%20protect%20endangered%20migratory%20species%20between%20the%20Galapagos%20and%20the%20Cocos%20Island%20in%20Costa%20Rica.%0A%0AThe%20Galapagos%2C%20which%20inspired%20Charles%20Darwin's%20theory%20of%20evolution%2C%20are%20also%20home%20to%20giant%20tortoises%2C%20albatrosses%2C%20cormorants%20and%20other%20species%2C%20some%20of%20which%20are%20endangered.

New Coral Reef Discovered Near Galapagos Islands

During%20the%20Summit%20for%20a%20New%20Financial%20Pact%20held%20in%20Paris%2C%20Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se%20Coffey%2C%20the%20Environment%20Secretary%2C%20and%20French%20State%20Minister%2C%20B%C3%A9rang%C3%A8re%20Couillard%2C%20revealed%20the%20UK-French%20Global%20Biodiversity%20Credits%20Roadmap.%0A%0AThe%20roadmap%20outlines%20a%20strategy%20to%20amplify%20global%20efforts%20in%20facilitating%20the%20procurement%20of%20biodiversity%20credits%20by%20companies%20and%20enabling%20a%20credible%20restoration%20of%20nature.%0A%0ABiodiversity%20credits%20allow%20individuals%20and%20companies%20to%20invest%20in%20global%20environmental%20projects%20that%20contribute%20to%20biodiversity%20enrichment%20and%20nature%20restoration.%20These%20credits%20document%20the%20project%E2%80%99s%20location%2C%20developer%2C%20and%20include%20measurement%20and%20verification%20processes%20for%20transparency.%0A%0AThe%20UK-French%20Advisory%20Panel%E2%80%99s%20co-chair%2C%20Dame%20Amelia%20Fawcett%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CWith%20global%20extinction%20rates%20higher%20than%20they%20have%20ever%20been%2C%20and%20ambitious%20global%20targets%20to%20halt%20and%20reverse%20nature%20loss%20by%202030%2C%20the%20stakes%20have%20never%20been%20higher%20%E2%80%93%20and%20we%20need%20every%20part%20of%20society%20to%20play%20its%20part%20in%20helping%20fund%20Nature%E2%80%99s%20recovery.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20biodiversity%20credits%20programme%20builds%20into%20global%20efforts%20to%20halt%20nature%20decline%2C%20as%20established%20at%20COP15%2C%20which%20was%20the%20Kunming-Montreal%20Global%20Biodiversity%20Framework%20(GBF)%20adopted%20late%20last%20year.%0A%0AThe%20framework%20establishes%20four%20long-term%20goals%20and%2023%20action-based%20targets%2C%20including%20preserving%20and%20enhancing%20ecosystem%20integrity%2C%20connectivity%2C%20and%20resilience%2C%20expanding%20natural%20ecosystem%20area%20by%202050%2C%20closing%20the%20%24700bn%20annual%20biodiversity%20finance%20gap%2C%20and%20aligning%20financial%20flows%20with%20the%20Kunming-Montreal%20Global%20Biodiversity%20Framework%20and%20the%202050%20Vision%20for%20Biodiversity.%20As%20reported%20by%20the%20UN%2C%20human%20activity%20has%20caused%20the%20rates%20of%20extinction%20for%20life%20forms%20encompassed%20by%20biodiversity%20to%20exceed%20past%20averages%20by%20more%20than%20100%20times.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20a%20report%20from%20the%20Intergovernmental%20Science%20Policy%20Platform%20on%20Biodiversity%20and%20Ecosystem%20Services%20(IPBES)%2C%2075%25%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20land-based%20environment%2C%20and%2066%25%20of%20its%20marine%20environment%2C%20have%20been%20impacted%20by%20human%20actions.%0A%0AThe%20Living%20Planet%20report%20from%20the%20World%20Wide%20Fund%20for%20Nature%20(WWF)%20in%202022%20revealed%20that%20the%20global%20wildlife%20populations%20have%20declined%20by%20an%20average%20of%2069%25%20since%201970.%20The%20extinction%20of%20approximately%2058%2C000%20species%20annually%20is%20being%20driven%20by%20factors%20such%20as%20extreme%20weather%20events%2C%20deforestation%20caused%20by%20human%20activities%2C%20and%20the%20widespread%20use%20of%20chemicals%20in%20agriculture%2C%20as%20stated%20by%20the%20Institute%20for%20Public%20Policy%20Research%20(IPPR).%0A%0ABiodiversity%20decline%20also%20poses%20risks%20to%20businesses%2C%20including%20raw%20material%20scarcity%20and%20supply%20chain%20disruptions.%0A%0AFailing%20to%20prioritise%20biodiversity%20protection%20can%20impact%20stakeholder%20demand%20and%20expose%20organisations%20to%20regulatory%20risks%2C%20such%20as%20licensing%20requirements%20and%20commitments%20to%20combat%20deforestation%20and%20safeguard%20biodiversity%20hotspots.%0A%0AThe%20Environment%20Secretary%2C%20Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se%20Coffey%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CMobilising%20finance%20is%20key%20to%20meeting%20the%20global%20goals%20set%20out%20in%20the%20COP15%20agreement.%20Initiatives%20like%20the%20Roadmap%20on%20Biodiversity%20Credits%20launched%20today%20will%20help%20ensure%20private%20sector%20financing%20is%20leveraged%20to%20conserve%20and%20restore%20nature.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AEarlier%20this%20week%2C%20Coffey%20engaged%20with%20a%20range%20of%20businesses%20and%20investors%20during%20a%20Wildlife%20Trusts%20event%2C%20urging%20them%20to%20actively%20collaborate%20with%20policymakers%20in%20shaping%20the%20implementation%20of%20the%20Kunming-Montreal%20Global%20Biodiversity%20Framework%20targets.%0A%0AClimate%20resiliency%20partnerships%0A%0AAlso%20at%20the%20Paris%20Summit%2C%20UK%20Minister%20for%20Development%20and%20Africa%2C%20Andrew%20Mitchell%2C%20announced%20that%20discussions%20have%20commenced%20between%20UK%20Export%20Finance%20(UKEF)%20and%2012%20partner%20countries%20in%20Africa%20and%20the%20Caribbean%20to%20incorporate%20Climate%20Resilient%20Debt%20Clauses%20(CRDCs)%20into%20new%20and%20existing%20loan%20agreements.%0A%0AThe%20UK%20previously%20declared%20at%20COP27%20that%20UKEF%20would%20be%20the%20first%20g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UK-French Global Biodiversity Credits Roadmap

In%20a%20meeting%20of%20the%20Global%20Environment%20Facility%20(GEF)%E2%80%99s%20Seventh%20Assembly%20in%20Vancouver%2C%20Canada%20on%20Thursday%2C%20representatives%20from%20185%20countries%20agreed%20to%20launch%20a%20new%20global%20conservation%20fund%2C%20with%20Canada%20pledging%20200%20million%20Canadian%20dollars%20and%20the%20United%20Kingdom%20contributing%2010%20million%20pounds.%0A%0AThe%20United%20Nations%20is%20seeking%20contributions%20for%20the%20protection%20of%2030%20percent%20of%20terrestrial%20and%20coastal%20areas%20by%202030.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20new%20Global%20Biodiversity%20Framework%20Fund%20(GBFF)%20has%20been%20designed%20to%20mobilize%20and%20accelerate%20investment%20in%20the%20conservation%20and%20sustainability%20of%20wild%20species%20and%20ecosystems%2C%20whose%20health%20is%20under%20threat%20from%20wildfires%2C%20flooding%2C%20extreme%20weather%2C%20and%20human%20activity%20including%20urban%20sprawl%2C%E2%80%9D%20a%20press%20release%20from%20the%20Global%20Environment%20Facility%20said.%0A%0AThe%20GBFF%20is%20seeking%20monetary%20support%20from%20governments%2C%20philanthropic%20donations%20and%20the%20private%20sector.%0A%0AAs%20a%20trustee%20of%20the%20World%20Bank%2C%20the%20GBFF%20has%20not%20yet%20raised%20the%20%24200%20million%20it%20needs%20to%20get%20up%20and%20running%20by%20the%20end%20of%20the%20year%2C%20reported%20Reuters.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20time%20for%20half-measures%20has%20passed%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Oscar%20Soria%2C%20director%20of%20global%20activist%20nonprofit%20Avaaz.%20%E2%80%9CSurely%20donors%20can%20come%20up%20with%20the%20paltry%20%2440%20million%E2%80%9D%20still%20needed%2C%20as%20Reuters%20reported.%0A%0AThe%20GEF%20Assembly%20was%20attended%20by%201%2C500%20people%2C%20including%20representatives%20of%20government%2C%20academia%20and%20business%2C%20Indigenous%20Peoples%20and%20environmental%20leaders.%0A%0AThe%20meeting%2C%20which%20is%20held%20every%20four%20years%2C%20comes%20during%20what%20is%20predicted%20to%20be%20an%20active%20hurricane%20season%20and%20the%20record%20wildfire%20season%20in%20Canada%2C%20which%20have%20been%20influenced%20by%20global%20heating%20and%20rising%20ocean%20temperatures.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CCountries%20have%20come%20together%20in%20Vancouver%20to%20turn%20things%20around%20for%20the%20health%20of%20the%20planet%20and%20its%20people.%20This%20is%20a%20hugely%20positive%20moment%20that%20will%20be%20remembered%20far%20into%20the%20future.%20We%20have%20shown%20at%20the%20Seventh%20GEF%20Assembly%20that%20even%20in%20difficult%20conditions%20%E2%80%93%20with%20wildfire%20smoke%20as%20our%20backdrop%20%E2%80%93%20we%20can%20move%20forward%20to%20build%20a%20more%20biodiverse%20planet%20for%20everyone%E2%80%99s%20benefit%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Carlos%20Manuel%20Rodr%C3%ADguez%2C%20CEO%20of%20GEF%2C%20in%20the%20press%20release.%0A%0AThe%20GBFF%20was%20set%20up%20in%20order%20to%20fund%20the%20implementation%20of%20the%20Kunming-Montr%C3%A9al%20Biodiversity%20Framework%20%E2%80%94%20ratified%20in%20December%20of%202022%20%E2%80%94%20in%20order%20to%20tackle%20the%20intertwined%20biodiversity%20and%20extinction%20crises.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CBiodiversity%20is%20the%20critical%20foundation%20of%20our%20well-being%20and%20the%20health%20of%20our%20planet.%20The%20new%20Global%20Biodiversity%20Framework%20Fund%20will%20play%20a%20key%20role%20in%20addressing%20biodiversity%20loss.%20It%20will%20address%20it%20in%20developing%20countries%2C%20where%20the%20impacts%20of%20nature%20loss%20are%20highest%3B%20it%20will%20address%20it%20in%20a%20gender-responsive%20manner%2C%20including%20through%20cross-sectoral%20partnerships%3B%20it%20will%20address%20it%20in%20collaboration%20with%20Indigenous%20Peoples%2C%20the%20original%20guardians%20of%20the%20lands%20and%20seas.%20Canada%20is%20making%20a%20significant%20contribution%20to%20this%20new%20fund%20and%20continuing%20to%20show%20our%20support%20for%20the%20GEF%E2%80%99s%20eighth%20replenishment%20to%20ensure%20the%20protection%20of%20our%20planet%E2%80%99s%20biodiversity%20for%20generations%20to%20come%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Canada%E2%80%99s%20Minister%20of%20International%20Development%20Ahmed%20Hussen%20in%20the%20press%20release.%0A%0AContributions%20to%20the%20GBFF%20will%20go%20toward%20stopping%20and%20reversing%20biodiversity%20loss%20globally%20by%202030%2C%20as%20well%20as%20placing%20nature%20on%20a%20path%20to%20recovery%20by%202050.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAs%20we%20confront%20the%20critical%20challenge%20of%20halting%20and%20reversing%20biodiversity%20loss%20around%20the%20world%2C%20working%20together%20has%20never%20been%20more%20important.%20Our%20initial%20contribution%20to%20the%20Global%20Biodiversity%20Framework%20Fund%20showcases%20the%20United%20Kingdom%E2%80%99s%20ongoing%20dedication%20to%20protecting%20our%20planet%E2%80%99s%20natural%20diversity%20%E2%80%93%20and%20through%20vital%20international%20cooperation%20we%20are%20paving%20the%20way%20for%20a%20more%20sustainabl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New global biodiversity fund launched in Vancouver

Zakouma's Conservation Revival

The%20European%20Union%20agreed%20on%20Thursday%20to%20pass%20a%20fiercely%20contested%20law%20to%20restore%20degraded%20natural%20ecosystems%2C%20salvaging%20measures%20some%20lawmakers%20had%20campaigned%20to%20kill%20off.%0A%0ANegotiators%20from%20EU%20countries%20and%20the%20European%20Parliament%20late%20on%20Thursday%20evening%20agreed%20to%20the%20deal%2C%20which%20would%20require%20countries%20to%20introduce%20measures%20restoring%20nature%20on%2020%25%20of%20the%20EU's%20land%20and%20sea%20by%202030.%0A%0A%22Europe%20is%20engaging%2C%20committing%2C%20not%20only%20to%20preserve%20and%20protect%2C%20but%20also%20to%20restore%20nature%2C%22%20Spain's%20Ecological%20Transition%20Minister%20Teresa%20Ribera%20said.%0A%0ASpain%20holds%20the%20EU's%20rotating%20presidency%20and%20represented%20EU%20countries%20in%20the%20negotiations.%0A%0AThe%20law%20will%20now%20be%20put%20to%20the%20European%20Parliament%20and%20EU%20countries%20for%20final%20approval.%20That%20step%20is%20usually%20a%20formality%20that%20waves%20through%20pre-agreed%20deals.%0A%0ABy%202030%2C%20EU%20countries%20must%20launch%20measures%20covering%2030%25%20of%20their%20habitats%20in%20poor%20condition%2C%20such%20as%20grasslands%2C%20rivers%20and%20forests.%20The%20aim%20is%20to%20reverse%20the%20decline%20of%20Europe's%20natural%20habitats%2C%2081%25%20of%20which%20are%20classified%20as%20being%20in%20poor%20health.%0A%0AGovernments%20would%20be%20required%20to%20avoid%20significant%20deterioration%20in%20healthy%20habitats%2C%20and%20introduce%20targeted%20measures%20to%20increase%20two%20out%20of%20these%20three%3A%20grassland%20butterfly%20populations%2C%20nature-friendly%20features%20like%20hedges%20on%20farmland%2C%20and%20carbon%20storage%20in%20soils.%0A%0AProposed%20targets%20to%20restore%20peatlands%20were%20weakened%20after%20pushback%20from%20some%20countries.%20Peatlands%20are%20water-logged%20ecosystems%20like%20bogs%2C%20which%20can%20contribute%20to%20fighting%20climate%20change%20because%20of%20their%20capacity%20to%20store%20CO2%20emissions.%0A%0AAfter%20concerns%20from%20some%20countries%20over%20the%20cost%20of%20introducing%20nature-boosting%20measures%2C%20Brussels%20agreed%20to%20propose%20more%20funding%20if%20an%20analysis%20finds%20countries%20need%20it.%0A%0AThe%20deal%20is%20a%20compromise%20struck%20after%20months%20of%20political%20campaigning.%20Some%20governments%20had%20warned%20that%20Europe%20is%20pushing%20too%20many%20environmental%20laws%20onto%20industries%2C%20while%20centre-right%20EU%20lawmakers%20had%20led%20a%20campaign%20to%20kill%20the%20bill%2C%20arguing%20it%20would%20hurt%20farmers.%0A%0ASome%20EU%20countries%20and%20lawmakers%20have%20fought%20to%20keep%20the%20law%2C%20arguing%20strong%20action%20is%20needed%20to%20rescue%20declining%20species%20and%20harness%20nature's%20ability%20to%20shield%20people%20from%20worsening%20climate%20impacts%20by%20cooling%20down%20cities%20with%20green%20spaces%2C%20or%20using%20wetlands%20to%20avoid%20floods.

EU agrees on contested law to restore nature

England%20is%20launching%20a%20biodiversity%20credit%20scheme%20this%20week%20that%20attempts%20to%20force%20all%20new%20road%20and%20housebuilding%20projects%20to%20benefit%20nature%2C%20rather%20than%20damage%20it.%0A%0AThe%20%E2%80%9Cnature%20market%E2%80%9D%2C%20called%20biodiversity%20net%20gain%20(BNG)%2C%20means%20all%20new%20building%20projects%20must%20achieve%20a%2010%25%20net%20gain%20in%20biodiversity%20or%20habitat.%20If%20a%20woodland%20is%20destroyed%20by%20a%20road%2C%20for%20example%2C%20another%20needs%20to%20be%20recreated.%20This%20can%20happen%20either%20on%20site%20or%20elsewhere.%0A%0AThe%20requirement%20becomes%20law%20under%20the%20Town%20and%20Country%20Planning%20Act%20on%2012%20February%20for%20larger%20sites%2C%20and%20on%202%20April%202024%20for%20smaller%20sites.%0A%0AThe%20scheme%20will%20make%20people%20think%20about%20how%20to%20minimise%20and%20mitigate%20the%20ecosystem%20impact%20of%20new%20developments%2C%20said%20Natalie%20Duffus%2C%20a%20biology%20and%20geographer%20researcher%20from%20the%20University%20of%20Oxford%2C%20who%20analysed%20the%20impact%20of%20BNG%20trials%20on%20conservation.%20%E2%80%9CIn%20theory%2C%20it%20could%20restore%20lots%20of%20habitats%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20added.%0A%0AThe%20government%20has%20a%20target%20of%20building%20300%2C000%20new%20homes%20a%20year%20by%20the%20mid-2020s.%20Land%20affected%20by%20those%20developments%20must%20be%20compensated%20for%20under%20the%20new%20rules.%0A%0AInternationally%2C%20%E2%80%9Cit%E2%80%99s%20one%20of%20the%20most%20ambitious%20schemes%20we%E2%80%99ve%20seen%E2%80%9D%2C%20said%20Duffus.%20%E2%80%9COther%20places%20are%20watching%20us%20and%20seeing%20how%20it%20unfolds.%20If%20done%20well%20I%20think%20it%20could%20inspire%20a%20lot%20of%20other%20markets%20to%20develop%20in%20different%20countries.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThose%20already%20hoping%20to%20copy%20the%20idea%20or%20use%20it%20to%20develop%20their%20own%20include%20Sweden%2C%20Singapore%2C%20Scotland%20and%20Wales%2C%20she%20said.%0A%0ASophus%20zu%20Ermgassen%2C%20an%20ecological%20economist%20from%20the%20University%20of%20Oxford%2C%20said%20England%E2%80%99s%20scheme%20is%20%E2%80%9Cworld-leading%20in%20its%20scope%E2%80%9D%20in%20that%20it%20addresses%20all%20new%20construction%2C%20and%20covers%20all%20natural%20habitats.%20%E2%80%9COther%20offset%20policies%20around%20the%20world%20have%20either%20a%20wealth%20of%20exemptions%20or%20deal%20with%20one%20specific%20set%20of%20impacts%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%0A%0AOne%20major%20shortfall%20for%20biodiversity%20markets%20around%20the%20world%20is%20a%20lack%20of%20demand.%20To%20date%2C%20only%20%248m%20(%C2%A36.5m)%20has%20been%20committed%20or%20pledged%20for%20biodiversity%20credits%20worldwide.%20Globally%2C%20funding%20for%20biodiversity%20is%20%24169bn%20annually%2C%20most%20of%20which%20comes%20from%20domestic%20public%20funding.%20It%20needs%20to%20increase%20to%20%24200bn%20from%20all%20sources%20(public%2C%20private%2C%20domestic%20and%20international)%20by%202030%2C%20according%20to%20the%20UN.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CDemand%20for%20biodiversity%20credits%2C%20or%20offsets%2C%20is%20really%20limited%20unless%20there%20is%20some%20sort%20of%20fundamental%20driver%2C%E2%80%9D%20zu%20Ermgassen%20said%2C%20adding%20that%20having%20a%20mandatory%20market%20for%20all%20developers%20helps%20these%20things%20scale%20up%20and%20draw%20in%20more%20investment%20and%20activity%20than%20they%20would%20otherwise.%0A%0ABNG%20is%20regulated%20by%20several%20bodies%2C%20including%20local%20authorities%20and%20government%20agencies.%20This%20is%20seen%20a%20strength%20of%20the%20scheme%2C%20as%20it%20avoids%20the%20problem%20of%20%E2%80%9Cmarking%20your%20own%20homework%E2%80%9D%20associated%20with%20voluntary%20markets.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20regulators%20lack%20the%20staff%20to%20check%20the%20pledged%20habitat%20benefits%20actually%20materialise.%20Zu%20Ermgassen%20was%20part%20of%20a%20study%20that%20found%20that%20more%20than%20a%20quarter%20of%20BNG%20units%20are%20at%20risk%20of%20leading%20to%20no%20tangible%20increases%20in%20biodiversity%20because%20there%20is%20no%20monitoring%20system%20in%20place.%20There%20are%20also%20concerns%20that%20there%20are%20too%20few%20ecologists%20to%20oversee%20habitats%20or%20score%20them%20correctly.%20Some%20may%20lack%20independence%20if%20they%20are%20employed%20by%20the%20developer.%0A%0ATom%20Oliver%2C%20a%20professor%20of%20applied%20ecology%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Reading%2C%20said%20environmental%20regulations%20are%20typically%20let%20down%20by%20lax%20enforcement.%20%E2%80%9CBNG%E2%80%99s%20success%20hinges%20on%20effective%20environmental%20regulation%2C%20monitoring%20and%20policing%2C%20and%20yet%20when%20you%20look%20at%20all%20our%20past%20case%20studies%20they%20clearly%20show%20a%20failure%20of%20environmental%20enforcement%20and%20policing%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%20%E2%80%9CYou%E2%80%99re%20putting%20in%20a%20new%20approach%20that%20relies%20on%20mech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England brings in biodiversity net gain rules 

Greece%20is%20pushing%20ahead%20with%2021%20initiatives%20worth%20780%20million%20euros%20(%24830.9%20million)%20to%20protect%20marine%20biodiversity%20and%20tackle%20coastal%20pollution%2C%20Prime%20Minister%20Kyriakos%20Mitsotakis%20said%20on%20Monday%20ahead%20of%20an%20international%20conference.%0A%0AGreece%2C%20which%20includes%20thousands%20of%20islands%20and%20which%20has%20the%20longest%20Mediterranean%20coastline%20of%20any%20littoral%20state%2C%20said%20last%20week%20it%20plans%20to%20create%20two%20marine%20parks%2C%20one%20in%20the%20Ionian%20Sea%20and%20one%20in%20the%20Aegean%20Sea%2C%20as%20part%20of%20the%20initiatives.%0A%0A%22Quietly%20but%20methodically%2C%20Greece%20is%20playing%20a%20leading%20role%20in%20the%20defence%20against%20dramatic%20climate%20changes%2C%20which%20are%20proven%20to%20affect%20every%20region%20and%20every%20activity%2C%22%20Mitsotakis%20said%20in%20an%20article%20published%20in%20Kathimerini%20newspaper.%0A%0AGreece%20plans%20to%20present%20its%20national%20strategy%20on%20marine%20biodiversity%20protection%20at%20the%20%22Our%20Ocean%22%20conference%2C%20which%20Athens%20will%20host%20this%20year%20and%20which%20will%20be%20attended%20by%20dozens%20of%20countries.%0A%0AThe%20European%20Union's%20Copernicus%20Climate%20Change%20Service%20said%20last%20month%20that%20ocean%20temperatures%20hit%20a%20record%20high%20in%20February%2C%20in%20a%20dataset%20that%20goes%20back%20to%201979.%20Overfishing%20and%20plastic%20pollution%20are%20also%20major%20threats%20to%20oceans.%0A%0APlastics%20entering%20the%20world's%20oceans%20could%20nearly%20triple%20by%202040%20if%20no%20further%20action%20is%20taken%2C%20research%20has%20shown.%0A%0AThe%20Greek%20marine%20parks%2C%20whose%20boundaries%20will%20be%20defined%20after%20scientific%20research%20by%20early%202025%2C%20will%20cover%2032%25%20of%20Greece's%20waters%2C%20Mitsotakis%20said.%0A%0AThe%20plan%20for%20a%20marine%20park%20in%20the%20Aegean%20Sea%20has%20irritated%20neighbouring%20Turkey%2C%20which%20said%20last%20week%20that%20it%20was%20not%20willing%20to%20accept%20a%20possible%20%22fait%20accompli%20on%20geographical%20features%20whose%20status%20is%20disputed%22.%20In%20response%2C%20Greece%20accused%20Turkey%20of%20%22politicising%20a%20purely%20environmental%20issue%22.%0A%0ANATO%20allies%20Greece%20and%20Turkey%20have%20long%20been%20at%20odds%20over%20a%20range%20of%20issues%20including%20maritime%20boundaries%20and%20claims%20over%20their%20continental%20shelves%20in%20the%20Mediterranean.%0A%0AMitsotakis%20said%20other%20initiatives%20underway%20include%20campaigns%20to%20curb%20plastic%20pollution%2C%20setting%20up%20a%20monitoring%20system%20for%20protected%20marine%20areas%20because%20fishing%20practices%20that%20damage%20the%20seabed%20will%20be%20prohibited%2C%20and%20constructing%20charging%20stations%20at%2012%20ports%20for%20electric%20vessels.%0A%0AProtecting%20the%20sea%2C%20he%20said%2C%20is%20one%20of%20the%20four%20pillars%20of%20Greece's%20strategy%20against%20climate%20change.

Greece: €780 mln to protect marine biodiversity

Roughly%202%20million%20species%20live%20in%20the%20world's%20oceans.%20But%20scientists%20have%20only%20described%20a%20mere%2010%25%20of%20them.%20With%20extinctions%20on%20the%20rise%20and%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Fhot-spots%2Fbiodiversity%2FUSA%22%3Ebiodiversity%3C%2Fa%3E%20threatened%20worldwide%2C%20many%20species%20are%20in%20danger%20of%20vanishing%20before%20researchers%20can%20identify%20them%20or%20fully%20grasp%20the%20benefits%20they%20provide.%0A%0AThe%20National%20Ocean%20Biodiversity%20Strategy%20calls%20for%20a%20stronger%2C%20more%20unified%20and%20inclusive%20approach%20to%20ocean%20conservation.%20Written%20by%20a%20team%20led%20by%20the%20Smithsonian%20and%20the%20National%20Oceanic%20and%20Atmospheric%20Administration%20(NOAA)%2C%20the%20strategy%20was%20announced%20by%20the%20White%20House%20Office%20of%20Science%20and%20Technology%20Policy%20on%20June%203.%0A%0AIt%20represents%20the%20first%20nationwide%20strategy%20aimed%20at%20changing%20course%20to%20save%20marine%20life%20and%20all%20the%20services%20it%20provides%20to%20people.%20The%20plan%20seeks%20to%20improve%20scientists'%20ability%20to%20gather%20and%20share%20knowledge%20and%20use%20that%20knowledge%20for%20more%20effective%20protection.%0A%0A%22We%20are%20confronting%20biodiversity%20loss%20and%20its%20implications%20for%20human%20well-being%2C%20alongside%20the%20challenges%20posed%20by%20climate%20change%20and%20social%20inequity%2C%22%20said%20Ellen%20Stofan%2C%20Under%20Secretary%20for%20Science%20and%20Research%20at%20the%20Smithsonian.%20%22But%20we%20hold%20the%20power%20to%20overcome%20these%20obstacles%20with%20a%20united%2C%20society-wide%20effort%20to%20preserve%20nature%20and%20its%20benefits.%22%0A%0AThe%20prosperity%20and%20health%20of%20the%20U.S.%20is%20inextricably%20tied%20to%20the%20ocean%20and%20its%20life.%20The%20ocean%20contributes%20nearly%20%24400%20billion%20to%20the%20U.S.%20economy%20every%20year%20and%20provides%202.4%20million%20jobs%20according%20to%20NOAA%2C%20including%20fishing%2C%20shipping%2C%20tourism%20and%20energy.%0A%0AAnd%20the%20nation's%20ocean%20waters%20are%20vast%3A%20The%20total%20ocean%20territory%20under%20U.S.%20management%E2%80%94known%20as%20the%20%22U.S.%20Exclusive%20Economic%20Zone%22%E2%80%94covers%20an%20%0Aarea%20larger%20than%20all%2050%20states%20combined.%20Much%20of%20this%20prosperity%20comes%20from%20the%20ocean's%20diverse%20species%20and%20habitats.%0A%0A%22Life%20in%20the%20ocean%20touches%20everyone%2C%22%20said%20Gabrielle%20Canonico%2C%20leader%20of%20the%20U.S.%20Marine%20Biodiversity%20Observation%20Network%20at%20NOAA%20and%20co-chair%20of%20the%20team%20that%20wrote%20the%20strategy.%0A%0A%22Every%20other%20breath%20we%20take%20comes%20from%20the%20oxygen%20produced%20by%20microscopic%20ocean%20plants%2C%20and%20more%20than%20a%20billion%20people%20worldwide%20rely%20on%20food%20from%20the%20ocean%20as%20their%20primary%20source%20of%20protein.%20But%20these%20and%20other%20benefits%20will%20degrade%20with%20biodiversity%20loss%2C%20with%20dire%20consequences%20especially%20for%20frontline%20communities.%22%0A%0ACritical%20gaps%20remain%20in%20the%20nation's%20protection%20and%20even%20knowledge%20of%20ocean%20life.%20The%20knowledge%20scientists%20do%20possess%20about%20the%20ocean%20is%20often%20scattered%2C%20with%20many%20organizations%20gathering%20information%20in%20different%20formats%20that%20are%20difficult%20to%20share.%20Many%20smaller%20organisms%2C%20including%20those%20that%20cause%20disease%2C%20are%20barely%20studied%20at%20all.%0A%0AScientists%20suspect%20these%20neglected%20species%20contain%20secrets%20vital%20to%20keeping%20coral%20reefs%20and%20fisheries%20thriving%20and%20the%20ocean's%20plankton%20pumping%20atmospheric%20carbon%20into%20the%20deep%20sea.%20The%20strategy%20addresses%20this%20challenge%20with%20plans%20to%20strengthen%20the%20nation's%20ocean%20observing%20system%20and%20the%20information%20pipeline%20that%20delivers%20knowledge%20to%20those%20who%20need%20it.%0A%0A%22We%20are%20advancing%20frontier%20technologies%20for%20biodiversity%20science%20and%20understanding%2C%22%20said%20Sarah%20Kapnick%2C%20NOAA%20chief%20scientist.%20%22But%20it%20is%20critical%20that%20we%20come%20together%20around%20the%20use%20of%20evidence-based%20metrics%20and%20indicators%20for%20decision-making%20in%20ocean%20spaces%2C%20and%20for%20monitoring%2C%20reporting%2C%20and%20verification%20to%20ensure%20that%20investments%20in%20conservation%20or%20development%20deliver%20the%20desired%20outcomes%20while%20minimizing%20negative%20impacts%20to%20ocean%20life.%22%0A%0A%22Biodiversity%20is%20the%20beating%20heart%20of%20the%20ocean%20that%20supports%20society%2C%20but%20it's%20in%20trouble%2C%22%20said%20Emmett%20Duffy%2C%20the%20other%20co-chair%20of%20the%20strategy's%20writing%20team%20and%20chief%20scientist%20of%20MarineGEO%20at%20the%20Smithsonian%20Environmental%20Research%20Center.%20%22This%20strategy%20is%20our%20best%20chance%20yet%20to%20turn%20the%20tide.%20We%20need%20to%20implement%20it%20to%20reach%20a%20future%20where%20people%20and%20the%20rest%20of%20nature%20thrive%20together%20by%20joining%20forces%20and%20leveraging%20the%20power%20of%20people%20and%20technology%20to%20understand%20the%20living%20ocean%20ecosystem.%22%0A%0AThe%20National%20Ocean%20Biodiversity%20Strategy%20outlines%20a%20three-fold%20plan%20to%20create%20a%20more%20inclusive%2C%20evidence-based%20network%20of%20protection%20in%20U.S.%20ocean%20waters%20and%20the%20Great%20Lakes%3A

First national ocean biodiversity strategy

Scientists%20have%20taken%20a%20significant%20step%20toward%20protecting%20coral%20reefs%20by%20successfully%20breeding%20corals%20with%20improved%20heat%20tolerance%2C%20according%20to%20a%20new%20study.%20%0A%20%0AThis%20groundbreaking%20research%2C%20led%20by%20Newcastle%20University%E2%80%99s%20Coralassist%20Lab%2C%20marks%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20first%20attempt%20at%20selectively%20breeding%20adult%20corals%20to%20withstand%20increasingly%20frequent%20marine%20heatwaves.%0A%0AWhile%20the%20results%20show%20promise%2C%20the%20modest%20improvement%20in%20heat%20tolerance%20highlights%20the%20urgent%20need%20for%20drastic%20global%20action%20on%20climate%20change%20to%20ensure%20the%20survival%20of%20coral%20reefs.%0A%0A%20%E2%80%9CThis%20work%20shows%20that%20selective%20breeding%20is%20feasible%20but%20not%20a%20silver%20bullet%20solution%20and%20that%20more%20research%20is%20needed%20to%20maximize%20breeding%20outcomes%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20study%20lead%20author%20Liam%20Lachs.%20He%20continues%2C%20reflecting%20that%20%E2%80%9Cin%20parallel%2C%20rapid%20reductions%20of%20global%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%20are%20an%20absolute%20requirement%20to%20mitigate%20warming%20and%20give%20corals%20an%20opportunity%20to%20adapt.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0A%3Cb%3EImproving%20coral%20heat%20resistance%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%20%0ASelective%20breeding%20has%20long%20been%20used%20to%20enhance%20desirable%20traits%20in%20plants%20and%20animals%2C%20but%20this%20study%20explores%20its%20potential%20for%20nature%20conservation%E2%80%94specifically%20coral%20reefs%2C%20which%20are%20extremely%20vulnerable%20to%20the%20effects%20of%20climate%20change.%0A%0AMarine%20heatwaves%20have%20already%20triggered%20widespread%20coral%20bleaching%20and%20mortality%2C%20leading%20to%20significant%20declines%20in%20reefs%20worldwide.%20The%20researchers%20hoped%20that%20breeding%20corals%20with%20better%20heat%20tolerance%20could%20help%20these%20vital%20ecosystems%20adapt%20to%20warming%20oceans.%20%0A%20%0ADr.%20James%20Guest%2C%20a%20Reader%20in%20Coral%20Reef%20Ecology%20at%20Newcastle%20University%2C%20echoed%20Lachs%E2%80%99%20caution%2C%20noting%20that%20selective%20breeding%20could%20be%20a%20valuable%20tool%20to%20enhance%20coral%20populations%E2%80%99%20resilience%20but%20that%20many%20challenges%20remain.%20%E2%80%9CGiven%20the%20moderate%20levels%20of%20enhancement%20we%20achieved%20in%20this%20study%20the%20effectiveness%20of%20such%20interventions%20will%20also%20depend%20on%20urgent%20climate%20action%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%20%0A%20%0AGuest%20also%20highlighted%20several%20hurdles%2C%20such%20as%20determining%20how%20many%20selectively%20bred%20corals%20would%20need%20to%20be%20introduced%20to%20wild%20populations%20to%20make%20a%20significant%20impact%20and%20ensuring%20that%20desirable%20traits%20aren%E2%80%99t%20diluted%20when%20added%20to%20the%20wild.%20%0A%0A%3Cb%3ESelective%20breeding%20not%20enough%3F%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%20%0AThe%20study%20focused%20on%20two%20breeding%20trials%20to%20improve%20tolerance%20to%20both%20short-term%20and%20long-term%20heat%20exposure.%20One%20test%20involved%20exposing%20corals%20to%20an%20intense%2010-day%20heatwave%2C%20with%20temperatures%20rising%20by%203.5%C2%B0C%2C%20while%20the%20other%20simulated%20a%20less%20intense%20but%20longer%2C%20one-month%20heatwave%20with%20temperatures%20increasing%20by%202.5%C2%B0C%E2%80%94conditions%20that%20mirror%20natural%20marine%20heatwaves.%20%0A%20%0AIn%20both%20trials%2C%20the%20offspring%20of%20corals%20bred%20for%20high%20heat%20tolerance%20outperformed%20those%20from%20less%20heat-tolerant%20parent%20colonies%2C%20showing%20that%20selective%20breeding%20can%20improve%20heat%20tolerance%20even%20in%20just%20one%20generation.%20The%20improvement%20equated%20to%20about%20a%201%C2%B0C%20increase%20in%20tolerance%20over%20one%20week%2C%20a%20valuable%20gain%2C%20but%20one%20that%20is%20likely%20insufficient%20to%20keep%20pace%20with%20the%20projected%20rise%20in%20ocean%20temperatures%20if%20climate%20change%20continues%20unabated.%0A%0AImportantly%2C%20the%20study%20revealed%20that%20selective%20breeding%20for%20short-term%20heat%20tolerance%20did%20not%20necessarily%20confer%20long-term%20heat%20resilience%2C%20suggesting%20that%20these%20traits%20may%20be%20controlled%20by%20different%20genetic%20factors.%20%0A%20%0AThis%20discovery%20raises%20concerns%20for%20future%20management%20strategies.%20While%20quick%2C%20cost-effective%20methods%20for%20identifying%20heat-tolerant%20coral%20colonies%20are%20essential%2C%20it%E2%80%99s%20crucial%20that%20these%20methods%20accurately%20predict%20survival%20during%20real-world%20marine%20heatwaves.%20Otherwise%2C%20efforts%20to%20enhance%20coral%20resilience%20through%20selective%20breeding%20may%20fall%20short.%20%0A%20%0A%3Cb%3ENot%20a%20%E2%80%98silver-bullet%20solution%E2%80%99%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%20%0ADespite%20these%20complexities%2C%20the%20research%20is%20seen%20as%20an%20important%20proof%20of%20concept%2C%20demonstrating%20that%20breeding%20corals%20to%20better%20withstand%20heat%20stress%20is%20possible.%20The%20study%E2%80%99s%20authors%2C%20as%20mentioned%20in%20the%20press%20release%2C%20are%20calling%20for%20more%20research%20to%20refine%20selective%20breeding%20techniques%20and%20ensure%20they%20are%20as%20effective%20as%20possible.%0A%0AThe%20hope%20is%20that%2C%20with%20simultaneous%20efforts%20to%20curb%20global%20warming%2C%20selective%20breeding%20could%20help%20corals%20survive%20the%20more%20moderate%20warming%20scenarios%20that%20may%20be%20achievable%20with%20concerted%20climate%20action.%20%0A%20%0AIn%20conclusion%2C%20while%20this%20study%20offers%20a%20glimpse%20of%20a%20potential%20tool%20for%20coral%20conservation%2C%20it%20underscores%20the%20broader%20need%20for%20urgent%20climate%20action.%20Without%20rapid%20reductions%20in%20global%20emissions%2C%20the%20modest%20gains%20from%20selective%20breeding%20may%20not%20be%20enough%20to%20safeguard%20coral%20reefs%20from%20the%20worsening%20impacts%20of%20climate%20change.

Heat-tolerant corals bred to rescue reefs

Eight%20governments%20pledged%20an%20additional%20%24163%20million%20to%20the%20Global%20Biodiversity%20Framework%20Fund%20(GBFF)%20on%20Monday%2C%20providing%20new%20targeted%20support%20to%20countries%20and%20communities%20working%20to%20conserve%2C%20restore%2C%20and%20ensure%20the%20long-term%20health%20of%20wild%20species%20and%20ecosystems.%20%0A%20%0ADuring%20the%20Convention%20on%20Biological%20Diversity%E2%80%99s%20sixteenth%20Conference%20of%20the%20Parties%20(COP16)%2C%20representatives%20from%20Austria%2C%20Denmark%2C%20France%2C%20Germany%2C%20New%20Zealand%2C%20Norway%2C%20the%20United%20Kingdom%2C%20and%20Qu%C3%A9bec%20announced%20new%20financing%20for%20the%20fund%20that%20supports%20implementation%20of%20the%20Kunming-Montreal%20Global%20Biodiversity%20Framework.%20%0A%20%0AThey%20were%20joined%20by%20representatives%20of%20the%20GBFF%E2%80%99s%20other%20early%20contributors%20including%20Canada%2C%20Japan%2C%20Luxembourg%2C%20and%20Spain%2C%20and%20from%20countries%20that%20have%20received%20support%20to%20date%20from%20the%20Global%20Environment%20Facility-hosted%20fund%2C%20among%20them%20Brazil%2C%20Gabon%2C%20Mexico%2C%20and%20Fiji%2C%20plus%20representatives%20of%20Indigenous%20Peoples%20and%20local%20communities%2C%20major%20philanthropies%2C%20and%20implementing%20agency%20partners%20such%20as%20the%20World%20Bank.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CI%20want%20to%20thank%20the%20national%20and%20subnational%20donors%20who%20stepped%20forward%20today%20to%20contribute%20to%20the%20Global%20Biodiversity%20Framework%20Fund.%20We%20know%20that%20the%20fund%20is%20needed%20now%20more%20than%20ever.%20We%20need%20it%20to%20be%20capitalized%20to%20permit%20resources%20to%20flow%20urgently%20to%20the%20national%20implementation%20of%20the%20Global%20Biodiversity%20Framework%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Astrid%20Schomaker%2C%20Executive%20Secretary%20of%20the%20Convention%20on%20Biological%20Diversity.%20%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20about%20money%20and%20morale.%20A%20message%20of%20hope%20and%20global%20solidarity.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CI%20think%20this%20session%20and%20the%20pledges%20that%20will%20come%20to%20the%20GBFF%20is%20very%20important%20for%20the%20next%20days%20and%20the%20decisions%20that%20we%20will%20be%20taking%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Colombia%E2%80%99s%20Environment%20Minister%20and%20COP16%20President%20Susana%20Muhamad.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20all%20should%20consider%20ourselves%20partners%20with%20a%20common%20objective%2C%20which%20is%20actually%20in%20this%20case%20being%20able%20to%20implement%20the%20Kunming-Montreal%20Global%20Biodiversity%20Framework.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20GBFF%20was%20established%20at%20the%20request%20of%20parties%20to%20the%20Convention%20on%20Biological%20Diversity%E2%80%99s%20COP15%2C%20and%20was%20launched%20less%20than%20a%20year%20later%20at%20the%20Seventh%20GEF%20Assembly%20in%20August%202023.%20It%20has%20streamlined%20procedures%20to%20provide%20efficient%20support%20for%20developing%20countries%2C%20and%20can%20receive%20contributions%20from%20all%20sources%2C%20including%20public%2C%20private%2C%20and%20philanthropies.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CIn%20less%20than%20one%20year%2C%20the%20GBFF%20has%20moved%20from%20launch%20to%20full-speed%20operation%2C%20with%20projects%20already%20reviewed%2C%20approved%2C%20and%20funded%2C%20and%20many%20more%20in%20the%20pipeline.%20The%20growing%20number%20of%20governments%20contributing%20to%20the%20GBFF%20is%20a%20sign%20of%20its%20momentum%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20GEF%20CEO%20and%20Chairperson%20Carlos%20Manuel%20Rodr%C3%ADguez.%20%E2%80%9CNow%20that%20the%20fund%20is%20up%20and%20running%2C%20we%20have%20the%20systems%20in%20place%20to%20disburse%20support%20efficiently%20and%20at%20low%20cost.%20We%20are%20focused%20on%20continued%20improvements%20to%20keep%20up%20with%20the%20pace%20of%20ambition%20for%20biodiversity%20action%2C%20while%20keeping%20the%20necessary%20safeguards%20to%20ensure%20quality%20and%20trust%20for%20long-term%2C%20lasting%20results%20for%20nature.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0AThe%20funding%20announced%20in%20Cali%20included%20the%20first%20financing%20to%20the%20GBFF%20from%20a%20sub-national%20government.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20Government%20of%20Qu%C3%A9bec%20is%20proud%20to%20be%20the%20first%20subnational%20government%20to%20contribute%20to%20the%20Global%20Biodiversity%20Framework%20Fund.%20If%20we%20want%20to%20ensure%20the%20successful%20implementation%20of%20the%20Kunming-Montr%C3%A9al%20Global%20Biodiversity%20Framework%2C%20and%20make%20sure%20to%20leave%20no%20one%20behind%2C%20we%20need%20to%20fully%20endorse%20a%20whole%20of%20society%20and%20whole%20of%20government%20approach%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Martine%20Biron%2C%20Minister%20of%20International%20Relations%20and%20la%20Francophonie%2C%20Government%20of%20Qu%C3%A9bec.%20%E2%80%9CQu%C3%A9bec%20is%20a%20longstanding%20contributor%20in%20climate%20cooperation%2C%20and%20we%20hope%20that%20this%20first%20substantial%20financial%20pledge%20in%20biodiversity%20will%20inspire%20other%20stakeholders%20to%20help%20everyone%2C%20especially%20the%20most%20vulnerable%20countries%2C%20to%20reach%20our%20common%20goal%20to%20live%20in%20harmony%20with%20nature.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0AIn%20June%202024%2C%20the%20GBFF%20Council%20approved%20the%20fund%E2%80%99s%20first%20work%20program%2C%20with%20four%20projects%20in%20Brazil%2C%20Gabon%2C%20and%20Mexico%2C%20and%20another%2018%20project%20preparation%20grants%20approved.%20In%20total%2C%2024%20developing%20countries%2C%20including%2013%20Least%20Developed%20Countries%20and%20Small%20Island%20Developing%20States%2C%20are%20currently%20accessing%20support%20from%20the%20fund.%20%0A%20%0AGBFF%20support%20helps%20countries%20strengthen%20national-level%20biodiversity%20management%2C%20policy%2C%20governance%2C%20and%20resource%20mobilization%2C%20including%20blended%20finance%20to%20leverage%20private%20sector%20financing.%20The%20fund%20has%20a%20target%20of%20having%2020%20percent%20of%20its%20funding%20support%20led%20by%20Indigenous%20Peoples%20and%20local%20communities.

COP16 secures $163m for nature projects

Countries%20at%20the%20U.N.%20COP16%20nature%20talks%20in%20Colombia%20on%20Saturday%20agreed%20to%20how%20companies%20in%20sectors%20such%20as%20pharmaceuticals%20and%20cosmetics%20should%20pay%20for%20the%20use%20of%20genetic%20information%20drawn%20from%20biodiversity%20in%20their%20research%20and%20development.%0A%0ANearly%20200%20countries%20convened%20in%20the%20Colombian%20city%20of%20Cali%20aiming%20to%20implement%20the%202022%20Kunming-Montreal%20Global%20Biodiversity%20Framework%20agreement%2C%20which%20aims%20to%20halt%20the%20rapid%20decline%20of%20nature%20by%202030.%0A%0AThe%20payments%20could%20generate%20billions%20of%20dollars%20for%20nature%20conservation%20that%20would%20be%20directed%20to%20a%20fund%20that%20would%20distribute%20half%20of%20the%20proceeds%20to%20Indigenous%20peoples%20and%20local%20communities.%0A%0AGenetic%20data%20from%20nature%20is%20used%20in%20a%20wide%20range%20of%20products%20from%20nutrient-enriched%20rice%20to%20stone%20washed%20denim%20jeans%20distressed%20using%20enzymes%20derived%20from%20microbes.%0A%0AThe%20deal%20comes%20after%20countries%20at%20COP16%20agreed%20late%20on%20Friday%20to%20create%20a%20permanent%20body%20for%20Indigenous%20and%20local%20communities%20to%20officially%20consult%20on%20U.N.%20nature%20decisions%2C%20as%20well%20as%20recognizing%20the%20role%20of%20Afro-descendant%20communities%20in%20conservation.%0A%0AThe%20deal%20on%20payment%20for%20genetic%20information%20looked%20set%20to%20flounder%20amid%20disagreements%20between%20countries%2C%20chiefly%20India%20and%20Switzerland%2C%20that%20saw%20the%20negotiations%20go%20through%20the%20night%20and%20past%20dawn%20before%20the%20measure%20was%20adopted.%0A%0AIndustries%20that%20will%20be%20expected%20to%20pay%20up%20for%20use%20of%20genetic%20material%20include%20pharmaceuticals%2C%20cosmetics%20and%20biotechnology%2C%20among%20other%20sectors.%0A%0A%22Businesses%20are%20committed%20to%20supporting%20biodiversity%20goals%20and%20have%20been%20engaging%20throughout%20the%20process%2C%22%20said%20Daphne%20Yong-D%E2%80%99Herve%2C%20an%20expert%20on%20the%20use%20of%20genetic%20information%20with%20the%20International%20Chamber%20of%20Commerce.%0A%0AThe%20fund%2C%20to%20be%20known%20as%20the%20Cali%20fund%20after%20the%20COP16%20host%20city%2C%20will%20be%20financed%20with%20payments%20from%20qualifying%20companies%20who%20will%20be%20expected%20to%20contribute%200.1%25%20of%20their%20revenue%20or%201%25%20of%20their%20profits%2C%20according%20to%20the%20text%20adopted%20by%20the%20summit.%0A%0A%22The%20clear%20signal%20sent%20by%20COP16%20today%20is%20that%20large%20corporations%20must%20pay%20back%20their%20dues%20for%20nature%20protection%2C%22%20said%20Glenn%20Walker%2C%20head%20of%20the%20nature%20program%20at%20Greenpeace%20Australia%20Pacific.%0A%0A

COP16 reaches deal on genetic data payments

The%20world%E2%80%99s%20largest%20known%20coral%2C%20visible%20from%20space%2C%20has%20been%20discovered%20in%20the%20waters%20of%20the%20Solomon%20Islands.%20%0A%20%0AWith%20a%20circumference%20of%20183%20metres%2C%20the%20gigantic%20multicoloured%20organism%20is%20an%20intricate%20network%20of%20individual%20coral%20polyps%20that%20have%20grown%20for%20between%20300%20and%20500%20years.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20sprawling%20coral%20was%20discovered%20in%20the%20region%20of%20the%20western%20Pacific%20known%20as%20the%20%E2%80%9Ccoral%20triangle%E2%80%9D%20by%20scientists%20belonging%20to%20the%20National%20Geographic%20Pristine%20Seas%20team%20during%20an%20expedition%20to%20the%20Solomon%20Islands.%20%0A%20%0AMostly%20brown%2C%20with%20highlights%20of%20vivid%20yellows%2C%20blues%20and%20reds%2C%20the%20Pavona%20clavus%20coral%20is%20a%20haven%20for%20a%20panoply%20of%20marine%20species%20including%20fish%2C%20crabs%20and%20shrimps.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CJust%20when%20we%20think%20there%20is%20nothing%20left%20to%20discover%20on%20planet%20Earth%2C%20we%20find%20a%20massive%20coral%20made%20of%20nearly%201bn%20little%20polyps%2C%20pulsing%20with%20life%20and%20colour%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20marine%20ecologist%20Enric%20Sala%2C%20explorer%20in%20residence%20for%20National%20Geographic%20and%20founder%20of%20Pristine%20Seas.%20%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20a%20significant%20scientific%20discovery%2C%20like%20finding%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20tallest%20tree.%20But%20there%20is%20cause%20for%20alarm.%20Despite%20its%20remote%20location%2C%20this%20coral%20is%20not%20safe%20from%20global%20warming%20and%20other%20human%20threats.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0AUnlike%20a%20coral%20reef%2C%20which%20is%20a%20network%20of%20many%20coral%20colonies%2C%20this%20is%20a%20standalone%20coral%20that%20has%20grown%20uninterrupted%20from%20polyps%20derived%20from%20larvae%20that%20settled%20on%20the%20seabed%20and%20multiplied%20into%20millions%20of%20other%20genetically%20identical%20polyps%20over%20the%20centuries.%20%0A%20%0AWhen%20the%20team%20initially%20spotted%20the%20living%20organism%2C%20which%20is%2034%20metres%20wide%2C%2032%20metres%20long%20and%20more%20than%205%20metres%20high%2C%20they%20thought%20it%20might%20be%20a%20shipwreck.%20The%20expedition%E2%80%99s%20underwater%20cinematographer%20dived%20more%20than%2012%20metres%20down%20to%20the%20coral%20and%20discovered%20it%20was%20a%20Pavona%20clavus.%20Despite%20its%20size%2C%20this%20individual%20coral%20had%20never%20been%20documented%2C%20with%20local%20fishers%20possibly%20having%20mistaken%20it%20for%20a%20boulder%20over%20the%20years.%20%0A%20%0ARonnie%20Posala%2C%20fisheries%20officer%20for%20the%20Solomon%20Islands%20fisheries%20ministry%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CFor%20the%20people%20of%20the%20Solomon%20Islands%2C%20this%20mega%20coral%20discovery%20is%20monumental.%20It%20reinforces%20the%20importance%20of%20our%20ocean%2C%20which%20sustains%20our%20communities%2C%20traditions%20and%20future.%20Such%20discoveries%20remind%20us%20of%20our%20duty%20to%20safeguard%20these%20natural%20wonders%2C%20not%20only%20for%20their%20ecological%20value%20but%20for%20the%20livelihoods%20and%20cultural%20identity%20they%20provide.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AEric%20Brown%2C%20coral%20scientist%20for%20the%20Pristine%20Seas%20expedition%2C%20identified%20and%20measured%20the%20previous%20record-holding%20coral%2C%20located%20in%20American%20Samoa.%20%E2%80%9CWhile%20the%20nearby%20shallow%20reefs%20were%20degraded%20due%20to%20warmer%20seas%2C%20witnessing%20this%20large%20healthy%20coral%20oasis%20in%20slightly%20deeper%20waters%20is%20a%20beacon%20of%20hope%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.

World's largest coral found in Solomon Islands

A%20gathering%20of%20countries%20in%20Rome%20this%20week%20agreed%20a%20plan%20to%20generate%20%24200%20billion%20in%20finance%20a%20year%20by%202030%20to%20halt%20and%20begin%20to%20reverse%20the%20destruction%20of%20the%20natural%20world.%0A%0AThe%20U.N.'s%20COP16%20talks%20on%20biodiversity%20began%20last%20October%20in%20Colombia%20but%20failed%20at%20that%20time%20to%20reach%20an%20agreement%20on%20key%20elements%2C%20including%20who%20would%20contribute%2C%20how%20the%20money%20would%20be%20gathered%20and%20who%20would%20oversee%20it.%0A%0AU.S.%20President%20Donald%20Trump%20is%20scaling%20back%20the%20involvement%20of%20the%20world's%20biggest%20economy%20in%20development%20finance%2C%20so%20the%20agreement%20late%20on%20Thursday%20night%20was%20a%20welcome%20boost%20for%20global%20deal-making.%0A%0ALed%20by%20negotiators%20from%20the%20so-called%20BRICS%20countries%20-%20Brazil%2C%20Russia%2C%20India%2C%20China%20and%20South%20Africa%20-%20the%20final%20deal%20saw%20delegates%20agree%20a%20plan%20to%20find%20at%20least%20%24200%20billion%20per%20year%20from%20a%20range%20of%20sources%20to%20protect%20nature.%0A%0ACOP16%20President%20and%20Colombian%20Environment%20Minister%20Susana%20Muhamad%20heralded%20the%20agreement%20as%20a%20triumph%20for%20nature%20and%20for%20multilateralism%20in%20a%20year%20when%20the%20political%20landscape%20is%20increasingly%20fragmented%20and%20diplomatic%20frictions%20are%20growing.%0A%0A%22From%20Cali%20to%20Rome%20we%20have%20sent%20a%20light%20of%20hope%20that%20still%20the%20common%20good%2C%20the%20environment%20and%20the%20protection%20of%20life%20and%20the%20capacity%20to%20come%20together%20for%20something%20bigger%20than%20the%20national%20interest%20is%20possible%2C%22%20she%20said.%0A%0ADelegates%20also%20agreed%20to%20explore%20whether%20a%20new%20biodiversity%20fund%20needed%20to%20be%20created%2C%20as%20requested%20by%20some%20developing%20countries%2C%20or%20whether%20an%20existing%20fund%20like%20the%20one%20run%20by%20the%20Global%20Environment%20Facility%20would%20be%20enough.%20The%20GEF%20has%20provided%20more%20than%20%2423%20billion%20to%20thousands%20of%20nature%20projects%20in%20the%20past%2030%20years.%0A%0A%22Everyone%20with%20the%20spirit%20of%20compromise%20made%20concessions%2C%20and%20in%20general%20for%20developing%20countries%20the%20result%20was%20very%20positive%2C%22%20Maria%20Angelica%20Ikeda%2C%20director%20of%20the%20Department%20of%20Environment%20at%20the%20Brazilian%20Ministry%20of%20Foreign%20Affairs%2C%20told%20Reuters%20as%20the%20plenary%20wrapped%20up%20on%20Thursday%20night.%0A%0A%22I%20come%20out%20of%20the%20meeting%20happy%20and%20optimistic.%22%0A%0AThe%20need%20for%20action%20has%20only%20increased%20in%20recent%20years%2C%20with%20the%20average%20size%20of%20wildlife%20populations%20down%2073%25%20since%201970%2C%20data%20from%20the%20WWF's%202024%20Living%20Planet%20Report%20shows.%0A%0AAlthough%20the%20U.S.%20was%20never%20a%20signatory%20to%20the%20biodiversity%20convention%2C%20it%20was%20one%20of%20the%20biggest%20funders%20of%20nature%20and%20biodiversity%20efforts.%20Its%20current%20freeze%20on%20foreign%20aid%20has%20had%20broad%20impacts%2C%20from%20anti-poaching%20efforts%20suspended%20in%20South%20Africa%20to%20funding%20cuts%20at%20big%20conservation%20NGOs.%0A%0AThe%20cuts%20are%20also%20raising%20concerns%20the%20U.S.%20will%20not%20participate%20in%20the%20next%20round%20of%20replenishments%20for%20the%20GEF%2C%20which%20are%20underway.%0A%0AThe%20spectre%20of%20aid%20cuts%20was%20also%20felt%20in%20negotiating%20rooms%2C%20fuelling%20frustration%20among%20some%20countries%20from%20Brazil%20to%20Egypt%20and%20Panama%20that%20rich%20nations%20were%20not%20fulfilling%20their%20obligations%20to%20deliver%20grant%20money.%0A%0ALatest%20OECD%20data%20estimates%20a%20total%20of%20%2415.4%20billion%20of%20international%20biodiversity%20finance%20was%20disbursed%20in%202022%2C%20with%2083%25%20of%20this%20coming%20from%20public%20sources.%0A%0AZoological%20Society%20of%20London's%20policy%20head%20Georgina%20Chandler%20urged%20governments%20to%20fulfil%20their%20commitment%20to%20%2430%20billion%20per%20year%20by%202030%20to%20halt%20and%20reverse%20biodiversity%20loss.%0A%0AThe%20deal%20in%20Rome%20helps%20lay%20out%20the%20steps%20needed%20to%20implement%20the%20landmark%20Kunming-Montreal%20Global%20Biodiversity%20Framework%20(GBF)%20deal%2C%20agreed%20in%202022%20and%20which%20committed%20countries%20to%20a%20range%20of%20environmental%20targets.%0A%0ACountries%20also%20agreed%20a%20set%20of%20technical%20rules%20for%20monitoring%20progress%20towards%20the%20GBF%20and%20secured%20a%20commitment%20for%20countries%20to%20publish%20a%20national%20report%20on%20their%20biodiversity%20plans%20for%20the%20COP17%20nature%20talks.%0A%0AThe%20talks%20come%20at%20the%20start%20of%20a%20busy%20year%20for%20international%20climate%20diplomacy%20as%20countries%20meet%20at%20various%20events%20to%20discuss%20plastics%20pollution%2C%20preserving%20the%20oceans%20and%20meeting%20global%20development%20goals%2C%20ahead%20of%20the%20COP30%20climate%20talks%20in%20November.

Nations agree plan to finance nature protection

An%20international%20team%20on%20board%20Schmidt%20Ocean%20Institute's%20R%2FV%20Falkor%20(too)%20working%20in%20the%20Bellingshausen%20Sea%20rapidly%20pivoted%20their%20research%20plans%20to%20study%20an%20area%20that%20was%2C%20until%20last%20month%2C%20covered%20by%20ice.%20On%20January%2013%2C%202025%2C%20an%20iceberg%20the%20size%20of%20Chicago%2C%20named%20A-84%2C%20broke%20away%20from%20the%20George%20VI%20Ice%20Shelf%2C%20one%20of%20the%20massive%20floating%20glaciers%20attached%20to%20the%20Antarctic%20Peninsula%20ice%20sheet.%20The%20team%20reached%20the%20newly%20exposed%20seafloor%20on%20January%2025%20and%20became%20the%20first%20to%20investigate%20an%20area%20that%20had%20never%20before%20been%20accessible%20to%20humans.%0A%0AThe%20expedition%20was%20the%20first%20detailed%2C%20comprehensive%2C%20and%20interdisciplinary%20study%20of%20the%20geology%2C%20physical%20oceanography%2C%20and%20biology%20beneath%20such%20a%20large%20area%20once%20covered%20by%20a%20floating%20ice%20shelf.%20The%20ice%20that%20calved%20was%20approximately%20510%20square%20kilometers%20(209%20square%20miles)%2C%20revealing%20an%20equivalent%20area%20of%20seafloor.%0A%0A%22We%20seized%20upon%20the%20moment%2C%20changed%20our%20expedition%20plan%2C%20and%20went%20for%20it%20so%20we%20could%20look%20at%20what%20was%20happening%20in%20the%20depths%20below%2C%22%20said%20expedition%20co-chief%20scientist%20Dr.%20Patricia%20Esquete%20of%20the%20Center%20for%20Environmental%20and%20Marine%20Studies%20(CESAM)%20and%20the%20Department%20of%20Biology%20(DBio)%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Aveiro%2C%20Portugal.%0A%0A%22We%20didn't%20expect%20to%20find%20such%20a%20beautiful%2C%20thriving%20ecosystem.%20Based%20on%20the%20size%20of%20the%20animals%2C%20the%20communities%20we%20observed%20have%20been%20there%20for%20decades%2C%20maybe%20even%20hundreds%20of%20years.%22%0A%0AUsing%20Schmidt%20Ocean%20Institute's%20remotely%20operated%20vehicle%2C%20ROV%20SuBastian%2C%20the%20team%20observed%20the%20deep%20seafloor%20for%20eight%20days%20and%20found%20flourishing%20ecosystems%20at%20depths%20as%20great%20as%201%2C300%20meters.%20Their%20observations%20include%20large%20corals%20and%20sponges%20supporting%20an%20array%20of%20animal%20life%2C%20including%20icefish%2C%20giant%20sea%20spiders%2C%20and%20octopus.%20The%20discovery%20offers%20new%20insights%20into%20how%20ecosystems%20function%20beneath%20floating%20sections%20of%20the%20Antarctic%20ice%20sheet.%0A%0ALittle%20is%20known%20about%20what%20dwells%20beneath%20Antarctica's%20floating%20ice%20shelves.%20In%202021%2C%20British%20Antarctic%20Survey%20researchers%20first%20reported%20signs%20of%20bottom-dwelling%20life%20beneath%20the%20Filchner-Ronne%20ice%20shelf%20in%20the%20Southern%20Weddell%20Sea.%20The%20expedition%20on%20Falkor%20(too)%20was%20the%20first%20to%20use%20an%20ROV%20to%20explore%20sweeping%20landscapes%20containing%20abundant%20life%20in%20this%20remote%20environment.%0A%0AThe%20team%20was%20surprised%20by%20the%20significant%20biomass%20and%20biodiversity%20of%20the%20ecosystems%20and%20suspect%20they%20have%20discovered%20several%20new%20species.%0A%0ADeep-sea%20ecosystems%20typically%20rely%20on%20nutrients%20from%20the%20surface%20slowly%20raining%20down%20to%20the%20seafloor.%20However%2C%20these%20Antarctic%20ecosystems%20have%20been%20covered%20by%20150-meter-thick%20(almost%20500%20feet)%20ice%20for%20centuries%2C%20completely%20cut%20off%20from%20surface%20nutrients.%20Ocean%20currents%20also%20move%20nutrients%2C%20and%20the%20team%20hypothesizes%20that%20currents%20are%20a%20possible%20mechanism%20for%20sustaining%20life%20beneath%20the%20ice%20sheet.%20The%20precise%20mechanism%20fueling%20these%20ecosystems%20is%20not%20yet%20understood.%0A%0AThe%20newly%20exposed%20Antarctic%20seafloor%20also%20allowed%20the%20international%20team%2C%20with%20scientists%20from%20Portugal%2C%20the%20United%20Kingdom%2C%20Chile%2C%20Germany%2C%20Norway%2C%20New%20Zealand%2C%20and%20the%20United%20States%2C%20to%20gather%20critical%20data%20on%20the%20past%20behavior%20of%20the%20larger%20Antarctic%20ice%20sheet.%20The%20ice%20sheet%20has%20been%20shrinking%20and%20losing%20mass%20over%20the%20last%20few%20decades%20due%20to%20climate%20change.%0A%0A%22The%20ice%20loss%20from%20the%20Antarctic%20Ice%20Sheet%20is%20a%20major%20contributor%20to%20sea%20level%20rise%20worldwide%2C%22%20said%20expedition%20co-chief%20scientist%20Sasha%20Montelli%20of%20University%20College%20London%20(UCL)%2C%20United%20Kingdom%2C%20also%20a%202019%20Schmidt%20Science%20Fellow.%0A%0A%22Our%20work%20is%20critical%20for%20providing%20longer-term%20context%20of%20these%20recent%20changes%2C%20improving%20our%20ability%20to%20make%20projections%20of%20future%20change%E2%80%94projections%20that%20can%20inform%20actionable%20policies.%20We%20will%20undoubtedly%20make%20new%20discoveries%20as%20we%20continue%20to%20analyze%20this%20vital%20data.%22%0A%0AIn%20addition%20to%20collecting%20biological%20and%20geological%20samples%2C%20the%20science%20team%20deployed%20autonomous%20underwater%20vehicles%20called%20gliders%20to%20study%20the%20impacts%20of%20glacial%20meltwater%20on%20the%20physical%20and%20chemical%20properties%20of%20the%20region.%20Preliminary%20data%20suggest%20high%20biological%20productivity%20and%20a%20strong%20meltwater%20flow%20from%20the%20George%20IV%20ice%20shelf.%0A%0AThe%20expedition%20was%20part%20of%20Challenger%20150%2C%20a%20global%0A%0Acooperative%20focused%20on%20deep-sea%20biological%20research%20and%20endorsed%20by%20the%20Intergovernmental%20Oceanographic%20Commission%20of%20UNESCO%20(IOC%2FUNESCO)%20as%20an%20Ocean%20Decade%20Action.%0A%0A%22The%20science%20team%20was%20originally%20in%20this%20remote%20region%20to%20study%20the%20seafloor%20and%20ecosystem%20at%20the%20interface%20between%20ice%20and%20sea%2C%22%20said%20Schmidt%20Ocean%20Institute%20Executive%20Director%2C%20Dr.%20Jyotika%20Virmani.%0A%0A%22Being%20right%20there%20when%20this%20iceberg%20calved%20from%20the%20ice%20shelf%20presented%20a%20rare%20scientific%20opportunity.%20Serendipitous%20moments%20are%20part%20of%20the%20excitement%20of%20research%20at%20sea%E2%80%94they%20offer%20the%20chance%20to%20be%20the%20first%20to%20witness%20the%20untouched%20beauty%20of%20our%20world.%22

Thriving ecosystem found under Antarctic ice

Scientists%20in%20the%20US%20have%20discovered%20a%20newly%20identified%20phylum%20of%20microbes%20thriving%20up%20to%2070%20feet%20underground%2C%20which%20help%20purify%20groundwater%20and%20could%20offer%20clues%20for%20filtering%20pollutants%20from%20drinking%20water.%0A%0AThe%20study%2C%20led%20by%20James%20Tiedje%2C%20PhD%2C%20a%20university%20distinguished%20professor%20emeritus%20and%20director%20of%20the%20Michigan%20State%20University%20(MSU)%20Center%20for%20Microbial%20Ecology%2C%20identified%20the%20microbe%20phylum%20called%20CSP1-3%20in%20soil%20samples%20from%20Iowa%20and%20China%20in%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20Critical%20Zone.%0A%0ABoth%20sites%20have%20deep%2C%20similar%20soils%2C%20which%20can%20help%20determine%20whether%20the%20microbes%20occur%20more%20broadly%20than%20in%20just%20one%20location.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Critical%20Zone%20extends%20from%20the%20tops%20of%20trees%20down%20through%20the%20soil%20to%20depth%20up%20to%20700%20feet%2C%E2%80%9D%20Tiedje%20says.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20zone%20supports%20most%20life%20on%20the%20planet%20as%20it%20regulates%20essential%20processes%20like%20soil%20formation%2C%20water%20cycling%20and%20nutrient%20cycling%2C%20which%20are%20vital%20for%20food%20production%2C%20water%20quality%20and%20ecosystem%20health%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20continues.%20%E2%80%9CDespite%20its%20importance%2C%20the%20deep%20Critical%20Zone%20is%20a%20new%20frontier%20because%20it%E2%80%99s%20a%20major%20part%20of%20the%20Earth%20that%20is%20relatively%20unexplored.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Cb%3EDigging%20deeper%20into%20the%20findings%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0ATiedje%20and%20his%20team%20extracted%20DNA%20from%20deep%20soil%20samples%20for%20the%20study.%20They%20discovered%20that%20the%20phylum%E2%80%99s%20ancestors%20lived%20in%20aquatic%20environments%20such%20as%20hot%20springs%20and%20freshwater%20millions%20of%20years%20ago.%0A%0AThey%20underwent%20at%20least%20one%20major%20habitat%20transition%20during%20their%20evolutionary%20history%2C%20moving%20from%20water%20to%20topsoil%20and%20eventually%20to%20deep%20soils%2C%20where%20Tiedje%20observed%20that%20they%20were%20still%20metabolically%20active.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CMost%20people%20would%20think%20that%20these%20organisms%20are%20just%20like%20spores%20or%20dormant%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20states.%20%E2%80%9CBut%20one%20of%20our%20key%20findings%20we%20found%20through%20examining%20their%20DNA%20is%20that%20these%20microbes%20are%20active%20and%20slowly%20growing.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20lead%20researcher%20was%20also%20surprised%20to%20discover%20that%20these%20microbes%20were%20not%20just%20rare%20exceptions%20but%20dominant%20members%20of%20the%20deep%20soil%20community%2C%20making%20up%2050%20percent%20or%20more%20in%20some%20cases%2C%20a%20previously%20unseen%20phenomenon%20in%20surface%20soils.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CI%20believe%20this%20occurred%20because%20the%20deep%20soil%20is%20such%20a%20different%20environment%2C%20and%20this%20group%20of%20organisms%20has%20evolved%20over%20a%20long%20period%20of%20time%20to%20adapt%20to%20this%20impoverished%20soil%20environment%2C%E2%80%9D%20Tiedje%20says.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EWater%20purifying%20activity%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0ASoil%20is%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20largest%20natural%20water%20filter%2C%20which%20cleans%20it%20through%20different%20physical%2C%20chemical%2C%20and%20biological%20processes.%20However%2C%20while%20surface%20soil%20only%20handles%20a%20small%20volume%20and%20rapid%20flow%2C%20deep%20soil%20retains%20significantly%20more%20water%2C%20providing%20the%20environment%20where%20CSP1-3%20becomes%20active.%0A%0ASince%20carbon%20and%20nitrogen%20wash%20down%20from%20the%20topsoil%2C%20the%20phylum%20feeds%20on%20these%20elements%20to%20help%20complete%20the%20water%20purification%20process.%20%E2%80%9CCSP1-3%20are%20the%20scavengers%20cleaning%20up%20what%20got%20through%20the%20surface%20layer%20of%20soil%2C%E2%80%9D%20Tiedje%20explains.%20%E2%80%9CThey%20have%20a%20job%20to%20do.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ANow%2C%20the%20team%20aims%20to%20culture%20some%20of%20these%20microbes%20in%20the%20lab%20to%20learn%20more%20about%20the%20unique%20physiologies%20that%20make%20them%20well-adapted%20to%20the%20deep%20soil%20environment.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20Tiedje%20notes%20that%20the%20experiment%20will%20be%20difficult%2C%20as%20most%20microbes%20have%20never%20been%20cultured%20in%20the%20lab%20due%20to%20the%20extreme%20difficulty%20of%20mimicking%20the%20precise%20conditions%20required%20to%20live%20and%20grow.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CCSP1-3%E2%80%99s%20physiology%2C%20driven%20by%20their%20biochemistry%20is%20different%2C%20so%20there%20may%20be%20some%20interesting%20genes%20of%20value%20for%20other%20purposes%2C%E2%80%9D%20Tiedje%20concludes%20in%20a%20press%20release.%20%E2%80%9CFor%20example%2C%20we%20don%E2%80%99t%20know%20their%20capacities%20for%20metabolizing%20tough%20pollutants%20and%2C%20if%20we%20could%20learn%20that%2C%20we%20can%20help%20solve%20one%20of%20the%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20most%20pressing%20problems.%E2%80%9D

New microbes could purify global water supply

Kigali%2C%20Rwanda%20%E2%80%94%20October%207%2C%202025%3A%20The%20International%20Organization%20for%20Standardization%20(ISO)%20has%20officially%20introduced%20ISO%2017298%2C%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20first%20international%20standard%20designed%20to%20guide%20organizations%20in%20taking%20tangible%20action%20for%20biodiversity%20protection.%20The%20announcement%20was%20made%20during%20the%20ISO%20Annual%20Meeting%202025%20held%20in%20Kigali%2C%20Rwanda.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20new%20global%20framework%20for%20biodiversity%20management%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20ISO%2017298%3A%20Biodiversity%20for%20Organizations%20%E2%80%93%20Guidelines%20and%20Requirements%20standard%20offers%20a%20practical%20and%20adaptable%20framework%20for%20businesses%20and%20institutions%20to%20evaluate%20their%20biodiversity%20impacts%2C%20dependencies%2C%20risks%2C%20and%20opportunities.%20It%20empowers%20organizations%20to%20integrate%20nature-positive%20practices%20into%20their%20governance%2C%20operations%2C%20and%20sustainability%20strategies.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWhy%20biodiversity%20matters%20for%20business%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ABiodiversity%E2%80%94the%20variety%20of%20life%20that%20sustains%20ecosystems%20and%20economies%E2%80%94is%20fundamental%20to%20human%20survival.%20However%2C%20the%20accelerating%20loss%20of%20nature%20poses%20significant%20challenges%20for%20organizations%20worldwide.%20Diminishing%20biodiversity%20can%20lead%20to%20rising%20operational%20costs%2C%20supply%20chain%20disruptions%2C%20regulatory%20risks%2C%20and%20damage%20to%20corporate%20reputation.%0ABy%20implementing%20ISO%2017298%2C%20organizations%20can%20minimize%20risks%2C%20enhance%20resilience%2C%20attract%20sustainable%20finance%2C%20and%20build%20stakeholder%20trust%20through%20transparent%20and%20science-based%20biodiversity%20action.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ERwanda%E2%80%99s%20commitment%20to%20nature%20and%20sustainable%20growth%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAccording%20to%20the%20Ministry%20of%20Environment%2C%20about%2065%25%20of%20Rwandans%20depend%20directly%20on%20biodiversity-related%20livelihoods%2C%20such%20as%20farming%2C%20forestry%2C%20livestock%2C%20and%20tourism.%20Yet%2C%20nearly%20one%20in%20four%20species%20in%20Rwanda%20faces%20extinction%20without%20urgent%20intervention.%0A%0ADr.%20Bernadette%20Arakwiye%2C%20Rwanda%E2%80%99s%20Minister%20of%20Environment%2C%20emphasized%20that%20biodiversity%20conservation%20is%20a%20shared%20responsibility%20across%20all%20sectors%20of%20society%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%9CLet%20us%20live%20in%20harmony%20with%20nature%2C%20because%20in%20protecting%20biodiversity%2C%20we%20are%20ultimately%20protecting%20ourselves.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EKigali%3A%20a%20global%20platform%20for%20sustainability%20leadership%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAs%20the%20host%20of%20ISO%E2%80%99s%202025%20Annual%20Meeting%2C%20Kigali%20is%20showcasing%20Rwanda%E2%80%99s%20leadership%20in%20sustainable%20development.%20With%20a%20population%20of%20over%2013%20million%2C%20the%20nation%20has%20proven%20that%20economic%20progress%20and%20environmental%20preservation%20can%20coexist.%20Rwanda%20has%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Expanded%20its%20forest%20cover%20to%2030.4%25%2C%0A%E2%80%A2%20Safeguarded%20over%20400%20animal%20species%20and%201%2C000%20bird%20species%2C%20and%0A%E2%80%A2%20Restored%20ecosystems%20once%20degraded%20by%20human%20activity.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EBridging%20ambition%20and%20action%3A%20ISO%2017298%E2%80%99s%20global%20impact%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ANoelia%20Garcia%20Nebra%2C%20ISO%E2%80%99s%20Head%20of%20Sustainability%20and%20Partnerships%2C%20highlighted%20the%20transformative%20potential%20of%20the%20new%20standard%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%9CUntil%20now%2C%20there%20has%20been%20no%20globally%20agreed%20framework%20for%20organizations%20to%20systematically%20integrate%20biodiversity%20into%20their%20strategies%20and%20risk%20management.%20ISO%2017298%20provides%20that%20roadmap%E2%80%94embedding%20biodiversity%20into%20governance%2C%20accountability%2C%20and%20transparency.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20turning%20point%20for%20global%20biodiversity%20action%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ABy%20establishing%20a%20unified%20global%20benchmark%2C%20ISO%2017298%20moves%20the%20world%20from%20commitment%20to%20concrete%20action%2C%20ensuring%20measurable%20progress%20toward%20halting%20and%20reversing%20biodiversity%20loss.%0A%0AFor%20Rwanda%2C%20protecting%20biodiversity%20is%20not%20only%20an%20environmental%20priority%20but%20a%20moral%20obligation%20and%20cultural%20identity.%20The%20nation%E2%80%99s%20proactive%20stance%20demonstrates%20how%20even%20small%20countries%20can%20lead%20global%20sustainability%20efforts%2C%20proving%20that%20economic%20prosperity%20and%20ecological%20stewardship%20can%20thrive%20together.%0A

ISO launches first global biodiversity standard 

In%20a%20remarkable%20scientific%20discovery%2C%20researchers%20have%20uncovered%20a%20vast%20white%20coral%20reef%20deep%20beneath%20the%20Gulf%20of%20Naples%2C%20marking%20one%20of%20the%20most%20significant%20marine%20findings%20in%20recent%20years.%20Located%20more%20than%20500%20meters%20below%20sea%20level%2C%20the%20reef%20contains%20thriving%20coral%20species%20and%20ancient%20fossil%20traces%20that%20shed%20light%20on%20the%20Mediterranean%E2%80%99s%20hidden%20underwater%20ecosystems.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20groundbreaking%20find%20announced%20by%20italian%20scientists%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20Italian%20National%20Research%20Council%20(CNR)%20revealed%20the%20discovery%2C%20calling%20it%20a%20milestone%20for%20marine%20biodiversity%20studies%20in%20the%20Mediterranean.%20The%20reef%20was%20identified%20during%20an%20EU-funded%20oceanographic%20mission%2C%20which%20deployed%20a%20remotely%20operated%20submarine%20to%20explore%20the%20Dohrn%20Canyon%20%E2%80%94%20a%20deep%20marine%20valley%20just%20off%20the%20coast%20of%20southern%20Italy.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20the%20CNR%2C%20%E2%80%9Cthe%20explorations%20revealed%20massive%20coral%20structures%20over%20two%20meters%20wide%2C%20spread%20along%20a%20vertical%20wall%20more%20than%2080%20meters%20high.%E2%80%9D%20These%20formations%20are%20made%20up%20of%20deep-water%20hard%20corals%2C%20often%20known%20as%20%E2%80%9Cwhite%20corals%E2%80%9D%20due%20to%20their%20colorless%20appearance.%20The%20primary%20species%20identified%20were%20Lophelia%20pertusa%20and%20Madrepora%20oculata.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20hidden%20ecosystem%20of%20extraordinary%20biodiversity%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AIn%20addition%20to%20white%20corals%2C%20the%20reef%20hosts%20black%20corals%2C%20solitary%20corals%2C%20sponges%2C%20and%20other%20vital%20marine%20organisms.%20Fossilized%20remains%20of%20ancient%20oysters%20and%20corals%20were%20also%20found%20embedded%20in%20the%20structures%20%E2%80%94%20described%20by%20the%20CNR%20as%20%E2%80%9Cgeological%20testimonies%20of%20a%20distant%20past.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AMission%20leader%20Giorgio%20Castellan%20called%20the%20discovery%20%E2%80%9Cexceptional%20for%20Italian%20seas%E2%80%9D%2C%20noting%20that%20coral%20bioconstructions%20of%20this%20size%20and%20complexity%20have%20never%20before%20been%20recorded%20in%20the%20Dohrn%20Canyon%20and%20are%20rarely%20observed%20elsewhere%20in%20the%20Mediterranean%20Sea.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EKey%20insights%20for%20conservation%20and%20future%20research%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ACoral%20reefs%2C%20often%20referred%20to%20as%20the%20%E2%80%9Crainforests%20of%20the%20sea%E2%80%9D%2C%20are%20among%20the%20most%20diverse%20and%20productive%20ecosystems%20on%20Earth.%20They%20play%20a%20vital%20role%20in%20sustaining%20marine%20biodiversity%20and%20maintaining%20ocean%20health%2C%20yet%20face%20increasing%20threats%20from%20climate%20change%2C%20pollution%2C%20and%20deep-sea%20exploitation.%0A%0AThis%20newly%20identified%20reef%20provides%20scientists%20with%20a%20unique%20opportunity%20to%20study%20deep-sea%20coral%20habitats%2C%20understand%20their%20ecological%20importance%2C%20and%20develop%20conservation%20strategies%20to%20protect%20these%20fragile%20environments.%20As%20Castellan%20emphasized%2C%20the%20finding%20will%20deepen%20our%20understanding%20of%20how%20deep%20coral%20ecosystems%20evolve%20and%20persist%20in%20the%20Mediterranean%20%E2%80%94%20and%20how%20they%20might%20be%20safeguarded%20for%20future%20generations.

White coral reef found in Gulf of Naples

Australian%20researchers%20have%20begun%20trialing%20a%20cutting-edge%20robotic%20system%20designed%20to%20accelerate%20the%20recovery%20of%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20areas%20severely%20affected%20by%20repeated%20coral%20bleaching.%0A%0ALed%20by%20the%20Australian%20Institute%20of%20Marine%20Science%20(AIMS)%20in%20partnership%20with%20the%20Reef%20Restoration%20and%20Adaptation%20Program%20(RRAP)%2C%20the%20project%20merges%20decades%20of%20marine-ecosystem%20research%20with%20new%20breakthroughs%20in%20marine%20robotics%2C%20automation%2C%20and%20artificial%20intelligence.%20The%20goal%3A%20to%20rapidly%20and%20accurately%20place%20juvenile%20corals%20in%20reef%20zones%20where%20survival%20rates%20are%20highest.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EAutomation%20targets%20large-scale%20coral%20restoration%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20new%20technology%2C%20called%20the%20Deployment%20Guidance%20System%20(DGS)%2C%20is%20being%20engineered%20to%20strategically%20position%20hundreds%20of%20thousands%20of%20lab-reared%20young%20corals%20onto%20the%20seafloor.%20These%20corals%20are%20grown%20in%20aquaculture%20facilities%20and%20later%20attached%20to%20specialized%20ceramic%20devices%20that%20protect%20them%20during%20their%20earliest%20stages%20of%20life.%0A%0ABuilding%20on%20years%20of%20innovation%E2%80%94such%20as%20coral-seeding%20tools%2C%20refined%20larval-rearing%20methods%2C%20and%20collaborations%20with%20local%20communities%E2%80%94the%20DGS%20aims%20to%20take%20restoration%20efforts%20to%20a%20level%20previously%20impossible%20to%20achieve%20manually.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EHow%20the%20deployment%20guidance%20system%20works%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20DGS%20unites%20data%20modeling%2C%20real-time%20sensors%2C%20on-board%20cameras%2C%20and%20AI%20to%20locate%20ideal%20microhabitats%20across%20vast%20sections%20of%20reef.%20A%20computer%20model%20identifies%20high-potential%20restoration%20zones%2C%20and%20once%20a%20vessel%20reaches%20these%20GPS-targeted%20points%2C%20the%20system%20analyzes%20the%20seafloor%20live.%0A%0AAI%20then%20signals%20the%20exact%20moment%20to%20release%20the%20coral-seeding%20devices%2C%20ensuring%20each%20lands%20within%20a%20precise%20radius%20of%20suitable%20terrain%E2%80%94a%20level%20of%20accuracy%20extremely%20difficult%20for%20human%20divers%20or%20operators%20to%20achieve%20at%20scale.%0A%0ADr.%20Ben%20Moshirian%2C%20AIMS%20project%20engineer%2C%20emphasizes%20that%20the%20DGS%20is%20%E2%80%9Ca%20fusion%20of%20multiple%20technologies%20working%20in%20sequence%20to%20maximize%20coral-seeding%20success%2C%E2%80%9D%20ensuring%20that%20each%20device%20is%20%E2%80%9Cplaced%20safely%20and%20accurately%20in%20predetermined%20locations.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EBoosting%2C%20not%20replacing%2C%20human%20restoration%20efforts%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThough%20autonomous%20operation%20is%20a%20major%20objective%2C%20AIMS%20stresses%20that%20the%20DGS%20is%20designed%20to%20support%20human%20restoration%20teams%2C%20not%20replace%20them.%20The%20system%20offers%20auto-navigation%20similar%20to%20an%20autopilot%20and%20can%20deploy%20devices%20on%20its%20own%2C%20but%20crews%20may%20also%20revisit%20tagged%20locations%20manually.%0A%0AThe%20technology%E2%80%99s%20built-in%20geo-tagging%20enables%20scientists%20to%20monitor%20coral%20development%20over%20time%20with%20exact%20precision%2C%20simplifying%20long-term%20ecological%20assessments.%0A%0ATo%20make%20sound%20placement%20decisions%2C%20the%20DGS%20draws%20from%20five%20years%20of%20RRAP%20research%2C%20including%20data%20from%20Modelling%20and%20Decision%20Support%2C%20EcoRRAP%2C%20and%20Coral%20Aquaculture%20and%20Deployment%20teams.%20Its%20AI%20components%20were%20co-developed%20with%20Queensland%20University%20of%20Technology.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EReal-world%20testing%20underway%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AField%20trials%20are%20currently%20being%20carried%20out%20using%205-metre%20crewed%20vessels%20in%20inshore%20waters%20as%20well%20as%20smaller%20boats%20commonly%20operated%20on%20the%20outer%20reef.%20These%20tests%20help%20researchers%20evaluate%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20System%20stability%20in%20varying%20ocean%20conditions%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Optimal%20hardware%20layout%20and%20onboard%20space%20requirements%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Accuracy%20of%20coral%20placement%20in%20diverse%20seafloor%20environments%0A%0AFuture%20iterations%20may%20be%20deployed%20on%20autonomous%20surface%20vessels%20(ASVs)%2C%20allowing%20coral-seeding%20missions%20to%20scale%20dramatically%20without%20requiring%20large%20research%20ships.%0A%0ADr.%20Moshirian%20highlights%20the%20human-machine%20synergy%20at%20the%20heart%20of%20the%20initiative%3A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20technology%20isn%E2%80%99t%20about%20replacing%20people%E2%80%94it%E2%80%99s%20about%20empowering%20them.%20By%20working%20alongside%20machines%2C%20we%20can%20achieve%20restoration%20at%20a%20scale%20that%20was%20once%20out%20of%20reach.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AHe%20also%20noted%20the%20extensive%20collaboration%20behind%20the%20project%3A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20true%20innovation%20comes%20from%20bringing%20experts%20across%20so%20many%20fields%20together%20with%20a%20shared%20purpose.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EExpanding%20opportunities%20for%20reef%20stewardship%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AIf%20the%20system%20proves%20effective%2C%20it%20could%20open%20the%20door%20for%20a%20wider%20range%20of%20ocean%20users%E2%80%94such%20as%20Traditional%20Owner%20groups%2C%20tourism%20operators%2C%20and%20small%20maritime%20businesses%E2%80%94to%20participate%20in%20reef-restoration%20missions%20without%20requiring%20specialized%20research%20vessels.%0A%0ABy%20scaling%20coral%20deployment%20and%20making%20restoration%20more%20accessible%2C%20the%20DGS%20may%20become%20a%20critical%20tool%20in%20protecting%20one%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20most%20iconic%20natural%20wonders.

AI robotics restore Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

The%20Philippines%20is%20accelerating%20its%20climate%20and%20conservation%20agenda%20by%20investing%20in%20blue%20carbon%20initiatives%20and%20biodiversity%20credit%20systems%20aimed%20at%20protecting%20coastal%20ecosystems%20while%20addressing%20climate%20change.%0A%0ACentral%20to%20this%20effort%20is%20the%20advancement%20of%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20National%20Blue%20Carbon%20Action%20Partnership%20(NBCAP)%20Roadmap%2C%20which%20focuses%20on%20restoring%20and%20preserving%20vital%20marine%20habitats%20such%20as%20mangroves%2C%20seagrass%20meadows%2C%20and%20tidal%20wetlands.%20These%20ecosystems%20play%20a%20crucial%20role%20in%20capturing%20and%20storing%20carbon%2C%20making%20them%20powerful%20natural%20tools%20in%20the%20fight%20against%20global%20warming.%20%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWhy%20blue%20carbon%20Is%20critical%20for%20climate%20action%0A%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ABlue%20carbon%20refers%20to%20carbon%20absorbed%20and%20stored%20in%20coastal%20and%20marine%20environments%2C%20particularly%20in%20vegetation-rich%20ecosystems%20like%20mangroves%20and%20seagrasses.%20These%20natural%20systems%20are%20highly%20efficient%20carbon%20sinks%2C%20often%20outperforming%20terrestrial%20forests%20in%20long-term%20carbon%20storage.%20%0A%0ABy%20conserving%20and%20rehabilitating%20these%20areas%2C%20the%20Philippines%20can%20significantly%20reduce%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%20while%20strengthening%20coastal%20resilience%20against%20storms%20and%20rising%20sea%20levels.%0A%0AThe%20country%E2%80%99s%20extensive%20coastline%20includes%20over%20327%2C000%20hectares%20of%20mangrove%20forests%2C%20which%20not%20only%20store%20carbon%20but%20also%20support%20fisheries%2C%20protect%20shorelines%2C%20and%20sustain%20biodiversity.%20%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EIntroducing%20biodiversity%20credits%3A%20a%20new%20conservation%20economy%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AIn%20addition%20to%20blue%20carbon%2C%20the%20Philippines%20is%20exploring%20biodiversity%20credits%E2%80%94an%20emerging%20financial%20mechanism%20designed%20to%20reward%20conservation%20and%20ecosystem%20restoration%20efforts.%0A%0AUnlike%20carbon%20credits%2C%20which%20focus%20on%20emissions%20reduction%2C%20biodiversity%20credits%20place%20value%20on%20protecting%20species%2C%20habitats%2C%20and%20ecosystem%20health.%20These%20credits%20can%20attract%20investment%20into%20conservation%20projects%20while%20supporting%20local%20communities%20and%20preserving%20natural%20resources.%0A%0AAs%20one%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20megadiverse%20countries%2C%20the%20Philippines%20is%20uniquely%20positioned%20to%20benefit%20from%20biodiversity%20markets%20that%20incentivize%20environmental%20protection%20alongside%20economic%20growth.%20%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ENBCAP%20roadmap%3A%20a%20strategic%20framework%20for%20coastal%20protection%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20NBCAP%20roadmap%20outlines%20a%20comprehensive%20plan%20built%20on%20four%20core%20pillars%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Innovation%20and%20scientific%20research%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Policy%20development%20and%20governance%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Community%20engagement%20and%20awareness%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Sustainable%20financing%20and%20livelihoods%0A%0AThis%20integrated%20approach%20aims%20to%20align%20environmental%20protection%20with%20national%20climate%20goals%20while%20ensuring%20long-term%20benefits%20for%20coastal%20populations.%20%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EGrowth%20potential%20of%20blue%20carbon%20markets%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20global%20market%20for%20blue%20carbon%20credits%20is%20rapidly%20expanding%20as%20businesses%20seek%20high-quality%20offsets%20to%20meet%20sustainability%20targets.%20These%20credits%20are%20typically%20traded%20within%20voluntary%20carbon%20markets%2C%20where%20organizations%20invest%20in%20environmental%20projects%20to%20balance%20their%20emissions.%0A%0AMangrove-based%20projects%20dominate%20this%20sector%20due%20to%20their%20exceptional%20carbon%20storage%20capacity%2C%20and%20the%20Asia-Pacific%20region%20is%20leading%20growth%20thanks%20to%20its%20rich%20coastal%20ecosystems%20and%20supportive%20policies.%20%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EChallenges%20in%20scaling%20carbon%20and%20biodiversity%20credits%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ADespite%20strong%20potential%2C%20several%20barriers%20remain%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Measurement%20and%20verification%3A%20Projects%20must%20demonstrate%20measurable%20environmental%20impact.%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Funding%20gaps%3A%20Initial%20investments%20are%20needed%20to%20build%20infrastructure%20and%20monitoring%20systems.%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Policy%20development%3A%20Clear%20regulations%20are%20required%20to%20ensure%20transparency%20and%20fair%20benefit-sharing.%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Stakeholder%20coordination%3A%20Governments%2C%20local%20communities%2C%20and%20private%20investors%20must%20collaborate%20effectively.%0A%0AAddressing%20these%20challenges%20will%20be%20essential%20to%20unlocking%20the%20full%20value%20of%20nature-based%20climate%20solutions.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EThe%20future%20of%20coastal%20climate%20solutions%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ABy%20combining%20blue%20carbon%20and%20biodiversity%20credits%2C%20the%20Philippines%20is%20positioning%20itself%20as%20a%20regional%20leader%20in%20nature-based%20climate%20finance.%20These%20mechanisms%20offer%20a%20powerful%20way%20to%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Reduce%20carbon%20emissions%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Protect%20marine%20biodiversity%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Strengthen%20coastal%20resilience%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Support%20sustainable%20livelihoods%0A%0AAs%20global%20demand%20for%20environmental%20credits%20grows%2C%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20coastal%20ecosystems%20could%20become%20a%20cornerstone%20of%20both%20climate%20mitigation%20and%20economic%20opportunity.

Philippines boosts coastal carbon projects

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