Ad hoc committee on developing a recommendation for a post-2020 coral reef target

Background

The ad hoc committee was established by ICRI in December 2018 to follow the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework development process and to contribute on matters relating to the critical status of coral reefs and how these can be sufficiently addressed within the post-2020 framework, including the recommendation of a coral reef related target. It is anticipated that “any future target should be quantifiable and have an ambitious but realistic timeframe with a holistic view of coral reefs within the broader marine system as well as relate to the broader sustainable development agenda, with clear cross-reference to other global and regional policy instruments and commitments relevant to coral reefs.
At its last General Meeting (Townsville, December 2019), ICRI members agreed on extending the mandate of the ICRI ad hoc committee on the inclusion of a coral reef-related target in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

The updated objectives of the ad hoc committee for 2020 are to:

1. Coordinate ICRI’s contribution to the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework;
2. Engage with relevant partners and stakeholders to develop, by 31 March 2020, a draft recommendation for a coral reef related target and an alternative; and
3. Develop and implement a communications strategy to promote the recommended coral reef target at important international meetings and events in 2020, including the 15th COP of the CBD in Kunming, China in October 2020.

ICRI resolutions relating to the ad hoc committee

• ICRI GM 34 (Townsville, Australia, 2019) – Resolution for the Inclusion of a coral reef-related target in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (PDF File)
• ICRI GM 33 (Monaco, 2018) – Terms of reference for the ad hoc committee on developing a recommendation for a post-2020 coral reef target (PDF File)

Composition

Co-Chairs: ICRI Secretariat, Monaco, and Vulcan Inc
Membership: Australia, France, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Maldives, New Caledonia, Seychelles, UK, USA, ICRS, Reef World Foundation, SPREP, UN Environment, UNEP-WCMC, Vulcan Inc., Wildlife Conservation Society, World Resources Institute, WWF International.

Working procedure

The ad hoc committee works virtually and takes advantage of any opportunities for face to face meetings in the side lines of other meetings.

Submissions to the CBD Secretariat

• February 2020: notification 2019-108 providing views on possible targets, indicators and baselines related to the drivers of biodiversity loss as well as on species conservation and the mainstreaming of biodiversity across sectors; notification 2019-115 providing views on possible targets and indicators for linking biodiversity to climate change. The submission also provides reflections on the Zero Draft of the Global Biodiversity Framework: view ICRI’s response (PDF File)
• January 2020: Through notification 2020-001: provide additional views and suggestions regarding the draft proposals to strengthen technical and scientific cooperation in support of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework: view ICRI’s response (PDF File)
• September 2019: notification 2019-075 proposals on the structure of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework: https://www.cbd.int/api/v2013/documents/E4F6DF43-3A3C-A352-21A9-B1DC3A5B77EE/attachments/ICRI.pdf
• April 2019: notification 2019-008 providing views on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. See response: https://www.cbd.int/api/v2013/documents/5630FDC2-3C44-EA39-1BED-47319FD31D12/attachments/ICRI.doc
• December 2018: notification 2018-063 providing views on the proposed preparatory process for the development of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. See response: https://www.cbd.int/doc/strategic-plan/Post2020/postsbi/icri.pdf

Other Outputs

• Information note: Ways and means to contribute to the development of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (May 2019)
• Update to the CBD co-chairs on progress of the ad hoc committee provided by ICRI GM 34 (December 2019). See: https://www.dropbox.com/s/2evfyd7rr3y3gon/191210_Elizabeth-Maruma-Mrema.pdf?dl=0
• Progress report to the ICRI GM 34
  • Report by the Post-2020 ad hoc Committee to the 34th General Meeting
  • Annex 2: Coral related target text development

About the post-2020 process

In 2020 the Convention on Biological Diversity will adopt a post-2020 global biodiversity framework as a stepping stone towards the 2050 Vision of “Living in harmony with nature”. In its decision 14/34 the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted a comprehensive and participatory process for the preparation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

All updates, meetings and documentation relating to the Post-2020 process are shared here https://www.cbd.int/post2020/

Other useful links/ material to support the Committee

• • A post-2020 target on coral reef ecosystems – Policy recommendation from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
  • Analysis of global and regional policy instruments and governance mechanisms related to the protection and sustainable management of coral reefs (PDF File)
  • A review of the experiences of selected coral reef countries in addressing Aichi Biodiversity Target 10 (PDF File)
  • Appendix 1: Experiences of identified coral reef countries and other stakeholders (PDF File)
  • Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (IUCN): https://www.iucn.org/theme/global-policy/our-work/convention-biological-diversity-cbd/post-2020-global-biodiversity-framework
  • OECD Expert Workshop on The Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework: Targets, Indicators and Measurability Implications at Global and National Level

The work of the ad hoc committee is supported by Vulcan Inc.