The UK government has announced a £10 million contribution to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF).
The newly established international fund aims to tackle global biodiversity loss and will support the Kunming-Montreal GBF, agreed by almost 200 countries, which sets out a plan of action to half and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.
It was announced yesterday (Thursday, August 24) at the Global Environment Facility assembly in Vancouver, Canada, that £10 million of UK funding is going towards the GBFF.
During the assembly, Nature Minister Trudy Harrison said: “As we confront the critical challenge of halting and reversing biodiversity loss around the world, working together has never been more important.
“Our initial contribution to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund showcases the United Kingdom’s ongoing dedication to protecting our planet’s natural diversity – and through vital international cooperation we are paving the way for a more sustainable future for our planet.”
After announcing its funding contribution, the UK government said: “Nature is the foundation of our livelihoods, supporting food production, economic prosperity and security.
“But nature loss around the world is taking place faster than ever before with more than 1 million species being at risk of extinction due to habitats such as coral reefs, rainforests and peatlands being lost.”
Now that the GBFF has been launched, it will build on the existing work of the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The GEF supports developing countries in tackling major environmental problems and provides funding for environmental projects in 144 Overseas Development Aid eligible countries.
Previously funded work included providing new software to support rangers in Africa to track and protect animals from poachers, targeted finance towards more effective ocean management strategies in Asia, and helping to safeguard the world’s remaining ancient primary forests.
