Context:

• Recently, The 25th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-25) concluded in Nairobi, Kenya, with recommendations that would help Parties move from “agreement to action,”

SBSTTA-25: Key Highlights

• Discussion on implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which was adopted in December 2023 at 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
• The delegates also discussed the recently completed assessments of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC AR6). 
• The latest IPBES report pointed out the role invasive species play in extinction of plants and animals. 
• Findings from IPCC AR6: Climate change is the main driver of biodiversity loss and that biodiversity provides the capacity to support climate adaptation, resilience, mitigation and disaster risk reduction.
• The group assessed the findings and finalised 15 points to be taken to the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
• These were based on the recognition that biodiversity loss, climate change, ocean acidification, desertification, land degradation, invasive alien species and pollution are interdependent crises that need to be addressed coherently and balanced.
• In terms of work on indicators, the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group would continue to work on this and the full monitoring framework would be considered at SBSTTA-26.

What is SBSTTA?

• Establishment: SBSTTA is established under Article 25 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
• Role: SBSTTA serves as an advisory body to the Conference of the Parties (COP) and other subsidiary bodies of the CBD.
• Composition: SBSTTA is a multidisciplinary body open to participation by all Parties to the CBD. Its members are government representatives with relevant scientific and technical expertise.
• Functions:
  • Assess the status of biological diversity globally, regionally, and nationally.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of measures taken to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity.
  • Respond to specific questions posed by the COP, providing scientific and technical guidance.
• Significance: SBSTTA plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and policy decisions, ensuring that the latest scientific understanding informs biodiversity conservation efforts.

Source: Down to Earth