Tara Moberg

We sat down with Tara Moberg, freshwater strategy advisor at TNC, to discuss recent victories for freshwater biodiversity conservation coming out of the 15th Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15). In her role at TNC, Tara led the development of an international freshwater policy coalition and served as a member of TNC’s negotiating team.

BRIDGE: Let’s start with the basics. What is the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and why was this year’s convening so important?

TARA MOBERG: The UN Convention on Biological Diversity, or COP15, as this year’s event was called, is a regular convening of countries to address global biodiversity challenges. Underpinning the Convention is a 1992 international treaty that guides how nations preserve biodiversity, sustainably use the world’s natural resources, and share the benefits of nature in a fair and equitable way.

The aim of COP15 was for nearly 200 countries that are party to the Convention to agree on a new, 10year Global Biodiversity Framework, which is a roadmap to halt and reverse the catastrophic loss of nature. This particular convening had been delayed more than two years due to COVID-19, so the stakes were higher than ever.

BRIDGE: Can you help us better understand the urgency?

TM: Frankly, the world’s biodiversity is crashing, and we’re running out of time to change course. In the last 50 years alone, monitored freshwater species populations have declined by an average of 83%, and that decline is more drastic for large animals like sturgeon, hippos and river dolphins. We have years, not decades, to bend the curve, and moments like COP15 represent our best opportunities for meaningful, global action.

BRIDGE: What were TNC’s goals going into COP15?

TM: TNC had ten goals for the negotiations, one of which was to ensure the framework and its targets included freshwater ecosystems. Going into COP15, draft targets focused on the protection of “at least 30% of land and seas” by 2030 (or 30x30). Inland waters like rivers, lakes and wetlands weren’t included.

BRIDGE: So, what were the final outcomes of COP15 and what does it mean for freshwater conservation?

TM: Amazingly, after two weeks of negotiations that stretched late into the night, world leaders announced the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework a new 10year roadmap to halt and reverse the loss of nature and biodiversity. This historic agreement broadens the 30x30 target to conserve at least 30% of the world’s lands, seas and inland waters. Critically, the agreement also centers the rights and tenure of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and was successful in securing financial commitments needed to close the biodiversity funding gap.

BRIDGE: The adoption of a global 30x30 target sounds like a big victory. But what happens from here?

TM: Success rests in the ability of countries, communities, partners and financial institutions to quickly—and thoughtfully—connect global ambition to local action. To facilitate this process, TNC joined The Pew Charitable Trusts, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and ZOMALAB, the family office of Ben and Lucy Ana Walton, at COP15 to formally launch the Enduring Earth collaboration, which will mobilize $4 billion in public and private funding toward large-scale conservation projects in 20 places by 2030. Connected to this partnership, Prime Minister Trudeau and the Canadian government announced a commitment of $800M to support Indigenous-led conservation initiatives including the preservation of the world’s third largest wetland and second

There were other bright spots, too, as the governments of Gabon and Mongolia signed national-level commitments to protect 30% of their terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecosystems by 2030, and Australia announced the establishment of a new Brindingabba National Park, which safeguards two nationally important wetlands.

I’m in awe of the leadership demonstrated by the nearly 200 nations that came together in this unprecedented global commitment to biodiversity.

TNC’s work to advance freshwater conservation at COP15 was made possible, in part, by generous support from Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation.