Germany Contributes €40 Million to Global Biodiversity Framework Fund

September 22, 2023

The government of Germany has made a significant commitment by pledging €40 million to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF). This momentous contribution was announced during a high-level event at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Understanding the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF)

The GBFF stands as a pivotal financial mechanism designed to advance the objectives outlined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Its significance lies in its role in supporting initiatives dedicated to halting and reversing biodiversity loss, a pressing global environmental challenge.

Funding Requirement for GBFF Operation

To become operational, the GBFF necessitated a total funding commitment of $200 million from at least three donors by December 2023. Prior to Germany’s pledge, Canada and the United Kingdom had already committed their financial support. However, a $40 million funding gap remained, a gap that Germany’s €40 million pledge has now filled.

Goals and Targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

The central goal of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by the year 2030. This framework sets forth critical targets and objectives aimed at conserving ecosystems, species, and the well-being of future generations. Achieving these goals is vital due to the profound ecological, economic, and societal implications of biodiversity loss.

Global Commitments and Pledges

The high-level event at the United Nations General Assembly was marked by several significant commitments and pledges in the realm of biodiversity conservation. For instance:

New Caledonia pledged to strictly protect 10% of its maritime space, totaling over 130,000 square kilometers of newly protected marine areas.
The Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Ecosystem Restoration Flagship project unveiled plans for the restoration of 114,900 hectares of marine ecosystems across Comoros, St Lucia, and Vanuatu.
The Community Land Rights and Conservation Finance Initiative (CLARIFI) secured €5 million from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to empower indigenous peoples and local communities in decision-making related to nature conservation.

Empowering Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs)

The Global Biodiversity Framework emphasizes the critical role of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) in biodiversity conservation. Their rights are explicitly recognized in seven of the framework’s 23 targets. Nevertheless, IPLCs receive less than 1% of funding allocated for climate and biodiversity protection. In a significant move, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) allocated €5 million to the Community Land Rights and Conservation Finance Initiative (CLARIFI). This funding aims to strengthen the role of IPLCs by helping them secure land tenure rights and achieve meaningful conservation outcomes.

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