Louise Lee’s Post

The NSW Government is planning a major overhaul of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW), with a renewed focus on net positive biodiversity outcomes. Dr. Louise Camenzuli, Louise Lee and Jade Sams explore key takeaways for project proponents from the government’s NSW plan for nature and the new biodiversity offsets reform Bill.

New assessment highlights role of wetlands in National Biodiversity Strategies at COP16 https://lnkd.in/gSzNcK2W

Over 100 NGOs, academic institutions, and businesses globally are advocating for the establishment of an independent certification—the Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS)—to combat greenwashing in biodiversity initiatives. TGBS is intended to serve as a benchmark to verify the impact of nature-based solutions on biodiversity conservation. The coalition believes that TGBS would provide an essential framework to assess and validate the effectiveness of projects, ensuring transparency and accountability in biodiversity efforts worldwide. https://lnkd.in/gextpfdg

In recognition of the International Day for Biodiversity 2024, securing priority areas for biodiversity, climate and health is an important opportunity for Target 3 and the Global Biodiversity Framework #IUCN WCPA

Great perspective by Hayley Clements and Alta De Vos on South Africa's revision of the National Biodiversity Economy Strategy creating waves of both enthusiasm and concern in the conservation space. Certainly helped me understand it better and how it tries to enhance the relevance of biodiversity conservation to the average South African. Well worth a read :) https://lnkd.in/dR26ysk5

Last August an independent review found that the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 was not meeting its primary purpose. The NSW Government released its response to that review today. Substantial amendments have been outlined that will rewrite the objects of the Act and make NSW contribute to ‘nature positive’ aims (meaning the environment is being repaired and regenerated) via a new Nature Strategy and updates to the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme that seek to ensure that offsetting truly is a genuine last resort, amongst others. We don’t have a timeframe for the amendments but watch this space - changes are coming.

Wetland conservation and restoration is an essential component of delivering the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Ahead of #COP16Colombia next week, we have a document that provides guidance to Parties to UN Biodiversity on how to incorporate #wetlands actions into their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans in relation to each target. Convention on Wetlands https://lnkd.in/eRYAd9yp

Biodiversity remains severely underfunded, with recent research showing upwards of a $700 billion gap between current annual funding and what’s needed by 2030 to maintain ecosystem integrity. To address this shortfall, 196 countries adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in 2022, committing to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. They agreed to redirect $500 billion of harmful subsidies toward biodiversity and mobilize an additional $200 billion per year for conservation and restoration. Brooke Davis Capuano World Resources Institute #biodiversity #conservation #biodiversitycredits #ecosystemintegrity https://lnkd.in/ekx5NF8G

A disheartening government report reveals that #biodiversity is on a downward spiral in New South Wales, despite the state's biodiversity market scheme. The findings paint a grim picture: 50% of threatened species face extinction within a century, only 29% of habitat capacity remains to sustain native species, and past habitat loss coupled with environmental pressures will severely undermine the landscapes' ability to retain biodiversity over the next 50 years. However, a glimmer of hope emerges as land permanently secured for conservation has exceeded 10% for the first time. This milestone, though commendable, seems like a mere Band-Aid on a gaping wound, as the report underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and robust measures to reverse the alarming decline of New South Wales' rich natural heritage. The clock is ticking, and inaction could spell irreversible consequences for our state's unique flora and fauna. It is time for authorities to heed nature's cry and prioritise biodiversity conservation projects before it's too late. #lordofthetrees

The concept of protected areas needs to be fundamentally revised in order to increase acceptance of new protected areas in society and at the same time enhance the impact they have on preserving biodiversity https://lnkd.in/eBrTu4yX