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22 young people from across Kenya met at Malava K Hotel in Kakamega from 18th to 20th February 2020 to deeply analyze all the items of the zero draft on Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, released by the Convention on Biological Diversity, early this year.
The important event provided an ideal environment for GYBN Kenya to assess the impact of its earlier consultations, and gather youth perspectives on the content of the Zero draft.
While some of the topics GYBN Kenya had proposed in its earlier submissions to the CBD, such as inter-generational equity, gender, human rights, and active engagement of local and indigenous communities in conservation were highlighted in the text, it was evident that some aspects were still missing and/or needed an emphasizing language.
In some discussions, heated debates and controversies arose from topics such as legalization of hunting as a sustainable way of utilization of natural resources.
Young people also felt that the youth agenda needed more emphasis to be placed on capacity-building, youth-focused innovation and incubation centers for conservation, and provision of sufficient resources for youth-led action on conservation, if the next framework is to be successful.
The issue of carbon emissions was also discussed deeply, with young people expressing the need for countries to urgently cut on the current huge emissions by increasing the 2030 targets to considerable percentages (above 80%), streamlining national policies to be in line with the global targets. Legislation and funding that reduce carbon emissions by more than 50% by 2030 and zero net emissions (climate neutrality) by 2050 should be put into effect.
It was also proposed that a national scientific body be formulated by the relevant stakeholders (including youth) to oversee the implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
An emphasis on private sector engagement, contribution of all sectors to the post-2020 global goals, and streamlining conservation in national priorities.
Companies should align their climate targets with the post-2020 goals. Companies should also provide comprehensive reports on the climate-related risks they face, and how they can work with the Convention to effectively address them.
Support to local communities and indigenous people should be elaborate, specific, and enhanced. People should be made aware of the critical importance of ecosystem health and be offered support, resources, enabling policy, and collaboration opportunities with the governments, civil society, and all relevant stakeholders.
Youth-led and youth-inclusive nature-based solutions that support the post-2020 global biodiversity targets should be supported by enabling policy and adequate funding.
Countries should consider the declaration of a global climate emergency and mobilize all stakeholders (including youth) and other enabling factors to address the crisis.
In order to enhance sustainable production and consumption, a target on related awareness and advocacy should be made more specific and ambitious. The target should also be expanded to included due diligence in supply chains ensure human rights and environmental impacts are monitored and evaluated.
Investments in nature should be increased. Nature protection should not hinder economic growth but must provide an opportunity to improve livelihoods, create employment, and sustain life.
