BY EDMUND CHAI MING LAU Programme Manager , Sarawak Programme , UNDP

The connection is clear - every species is interwoven into a supportive web of other species . Nature abhors a vacuum ; we cannot live in isolation . We are all connected ; we are biological diversity . Because we are all part of the planet , we must all be part of the plan .

During the 1992 Rio Earth Summit , the global call for action to conserve and sustainably use biological diversity was first mooted . But three decades later , the world ’ s biodiversity continues to degrade . The stock of natural capital per person has declined by nearly 40 per cent , and we are losing almost 200 species daily ; up to one million more species are threatened .

Dramatic actions are needed to change course . On Dec 19 , 2022 , world leaders reached a consensus via a landmark decision to adopt a worldwide target to halt biodiversity loss through a framework known as the Kunming- Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework ( KMGBF ). This framework , also known as the Biodiversity Plan , has four overarching goals with 23 global targets , all set to be achieved by 2030 .

Gandhi once said : “ Be the change that you wish to see in the world ”. With the KMGBF , we now have a plan for this change . The responsibility is shared , and the effort is collective .

BIS Unit initiative began its work in December 2023 .

The team will be the driving force in implementing the NPBD by undertaking coordinating tasks , mainstreaming the plan , fostering collaboration , and supporting various stakeholders from state government , civil society , academic institutions and the private sector .

APPROACH TO BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION

The Sarawak government has taken a bold , progressive approach to biodiversity protection within its jurisdiction . In partnership with UNDP , the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development Sarawak ( MUDeNR ) has formulated the Sarawak Biodiversity Master Plan , focusing on mainstreaming biodiversity into the development agenda .

While the approach is non-target based , the eventual outcomes are aligned with the biodiversity plan and national policy , and more importantly - it is part of the three key pillars ( economic growth , social inclusivity and environmental sustainability ) of Sarawak ’ s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 ( PCDS 2030 ).

The Master Plan consists of six thematic areas cutting across different sectors , as biodiversity management is a shared responsibility at every level of government . Sarawak exemplifies being part of the plan through its initiative of formulating a master plan at the subnational government level .

Because conserving and managing biodiversity is a shared responsibility and collective effort , successes go beyond government , national , regional or local .

The Malaysian government has taken the lead on this issue by continuing its Ecological Fiscal Transfer scheme , which was conceived in partnership with UNDP through the BIOFIN initiative . US $ 124 million has been transferred since 2019 to incentivise state governments to protect local biodiversity .

In biodiversity conservation , civil society and non-governmental organisations are long-term partners .

CBOs and NGOs need support that complements their work , in the form of funding and financial support , to ensure these efforts can be scaled , replicated and sustainable to compete with the rate and scale of biodiversity loss .

The biodiversity finance gap is estimated at US $ 700 billion per year . We must redirect global finance flows from nature-negative investments to naturepositive ones to close this gap .

This means investment and finance must be channelled to support protection , restoration and activities that support biodiversity . This includes reducing harmful subsidies while increasing incentives for protection activities .

This leads us to the role of the private sector , be it large corporations or Micro , Small and Medium Enterprises ( MSMEs ). Some private sector firms have moved forward with innovative financial schemes such as green and blue bonds , as evidenced by successful initiatives in Indonesia and the Philippines . Malaysia is following suit with the recent announcement of biodiversity sukuk and tiger bonds .

The Malaysian government has taken the lead on this issue by continuing its Ecological Fiscal Transfer scheme , which was conceived in partnership with UNDP through the BIOFIN initiative . US $ 124 million has been transferred since 2019 to incentivise state governments to protect local biodiversity .

While these investments are insufficient to close the biodiversity finance gap , they represent a step in the right direction as part of the plan .

So , the next time we feast on national treasures like durian , laksa or sambal , let ’ s not forget that we all have a role in preserving the biodiversity that makes these treasured foods possible . Let ’ s be part of the plan . Because if it is not us , who ? If it is not now , when ? – @ AGROBiz

THE BIODIVERSITY PLAN

Many countries have now developed national plans aligning with the Biodiversity Plan with local context and considering national circumstances . Malaysia is rightfully proud to note that it has made significant progress in developing and subsequently implementing the plan .

Malaysia ’ s very own , newly-revised National Policy on Biological Diversity 2025 – 2030 ( NPBD ) was launched in October 2023 by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability ( NRES ). The NPBD spells out five overarching goals with 17 targets to be achieved by 2030 through 61 actions covering various sectors .

With NPBD as the guiding document , NRES is establishing a dedicated Biodiversity Implementation Support ( BIS ) unit . With support from UNDP through the GEF-funded GBF-EAS project , the