MEDIA STATEMENT
India Joins Coalition of Countries Pushing for Global Goal to Protect 30% of the Earth by 2030
7 October 2021—At a ceremony held between the French and Indian governments today, India officially joined the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, a group of more than 70 countries encouraging the adoption of the global goal to protect 30x30.
HAC members currently include a mix of countries in the global north and south; European, Latin American, Africa and Asian countries are among the members. India is the first of the BRICS bloc of major emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) to join the HAC.
India’s announcement comes in the leadup to a high-level biodiversity meeting, hosted by China. The virtual meeting to take place October 11-15 will tackle key aspects of the biodiversity treaty to be finalized in 2022. The global 30x30 goal is currently a centerpiece of the treaty, known as the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
H.E. Andrea Meza, Costa Rica's Minister of Environment and Energy, said:
Costa Rica is delighted to welcome India to the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People. Having India as a champion for 30x30 increases the growing momentum for this critical global goal to curb biodiversity loss at COP15.
The Rt Hon. Lord Zac Goldsmith, International Environment Minister, UK, said:
As one of the most biodiverse and beautiful countries in the world, I am thrilled to welcome India to the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, in support of a new target to protect at least 30% of the land and of the ocean globally by 2030. India's progress on tiger conservation in recent years has been a rare story of hope and good news in a world where so many species are being lost. As Ocean Co-chair of the HAC, we look forward to working closely with India to protect the natural world on which all of us depend.
Emmanuel Lenain, Ambassador of France to India, said:
France warmly welcomes India’s decision to join the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, which was initiated at the “One Planet Summit” in Paris in January 2021. This coalition aims to promote an international agreement to protect at least 30 % the of world's land and ocean by 2030. India is a major player for biodiversity protection. On the eve of the opening of COP15, India joining the High Ambition Coalition is a real game changer and will boost our multilateral efforts.
Rameshwar Prasad Gupta, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, said:
Resource mobilization will always be the cornerstone for implementation of policies and programmes for conserving biodiversity. I express my delight to join member countries of HAC and would ensure all support in meeting the global biodiversity targets.
Enric Sala, National Geographic Explorer in Residence, said:
India is one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries--home to rich diversity of animal and plant species, including the Royal Bengal tiger, under threat by habitat loss and poaching. Protecting at least 30% of the world’s land and ocean is critical to safeguarding tigers and other threatened species. 30x30 can’t succeed without the leadership of India and other major economies like it worldwide.
Brian O’Donnell, Director, Campaign for Nature, said:
We are encouraged that India has joined the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People. India sends a strong signal to the world that all countries must take nature protection seriously. We hope that their bold commitment to supporting the 30x30 global target inspires other countries in the region to join the HAC.
Indigenous Peoples and local communities in India have successfully led nature conservation efforts. Indigenous and local conservation successes in the country give India an opportunity to partner with these communities in helping India contribute to the global 30x30 goal.
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The Campaign for Nature works with scientists, Indigenous Peoples, and a growing coalition of over 100 conservation organizations around the world who are calling on policymakers to commit to clear and ambitious targets to be agreed upon at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Kunming, China in 2021 to protect at least 30% of the planet by 2030 and working with Indigenous leaders to ensure full respect for Indigenous rights.
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