Summary of presentation of information

What concrete measures can help reshape the human-nature relationship and set development on a more sustainable path? How can we build momentum for the action around the post-2020 global biodiversity framework?

Chair: His Excellency, Diego Pary Rodriguez, Vice President of ECOSOC (Bolivia)

Moderator: Mr Nigel Sizer, Executive Director of the Preventing Pandemics at the Source initiative with Dalberg Catalyst

Interactive Panel Discussion Panellists:

1. Mr Bruno Oberle, Director General of International Union for Conversation of Nature (IUCN)
2. Ms Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission of Europe and Coordinator of the Regional Commissions
3. Ms Julie Nash, Senior Program Director, Food and Forests, Ceres
4. Ms Ajanta Dey,Joint Secretary and Programme Director, Nature Environment and Wildlife Society
5. Mr Daniel Samuelsson, Youth representative of Sweden to the HLPF 2022
6. Mr Ralph Chami, Head of Regional Surveillance for Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, International Monetary Fund

• The forum highlighted on people’s contribution to nature and how essential it is for human existence and good quality of life. The protection of nature is valuable because our role as people is to be the guardians of life on land, sea and air. SDG 15 needs to shift from incremental to transformative change, with multi-sector and multi-stakeholder collaboration. Greater efforts are needed so that we can meet the targets for the protection of life on earth and halt the degradation of land and the oceans.
• Consumption and production processes are taking a toll on our land, atmosphere and sea. We have undervalued the importance of the balance of nature by excessively taking from it and not giving back in greater value. Agriculture continues to be the largest driver of forest loss and species extinction, the expansion of agriculture, the need of firewood and urban development across the world contributes to 90% of global deforestation.
• The pandemic highlighted the inequalities that exists between countries and various segments of society. Indigenous communities rely on forests, small scale fishing and farming. The loss of income jobs during lockdowns strengthened the reliance on their forests and land as their safety nets for survival. COVID-19 recovery measures need to support progress towards SDG 15. The pandemic boosted the use of digital services in many areas but the digitization for protection of nature remains an underutilized area. At grass roots level, access to digital services, information and data (including remote sensing) will be crucial to empower communities to efficiently develop their land.
• Transforming global food systems is critical to implementing SDG 15, as a follow up of the UN Food Systems Summit. In order to drive an SDG-based food system transformation, we need to revitalize indigenous and local food systems, utilize integrated land use plans and develop an inclusive stakeholder process. Better circular economy approaches and changes in consumer behaviour are needed, including tackling food waste, creating sustainable practices of waste management and protecting indigenous forests as well as understanding the link between nature and production.
• For us to reduce biodiversity loss, an integrated approach is needed across land use, forest management, climate action, health systems, fisheries, ocean management and sustainable urban development. A holistic approach in implementation is needed and provision of a targeted support specially to developing countries needs to be sustained.

What information shared in this meeting is of significance to The Salvation Army and why?

The information presented by the High-level Political Forum concerning SDG 15 is important to the Salvation Army. As an international organisation The Salvation Army recognises environmental degradation as one of the most pressing issues facing the world today. Modern sustainable practices are key in protecting endangered forests and biodiversity in line with the sustainable development goals.

What is The Salvation Army currently doing to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals addressed in this meeting?

The Salvation Army currently is addressing the need to use the SDG framework as a tool for development across its territories. Organizations such as The Salvation Army World Office has been advocating for the use of sustainable solutions projects as a focal point that addresses the need of creating self-sustaining business models. Salvation Army units across the world are being encouraged to promote programmes that contribute to the protection of life on land and life below water within their own communities hence removing the excessive reliance on foreign aid, whilst also promoting the aspect of interlinkages between the SDGs. Climate Justice Specialist from Salvation Army Australia, Major Melanie-Anne Holland advocates for climate justice from a practical perspective as well as from a lens of faith, this shows that external collaboration with internal salvation army experts is important in addressing the significance of SDGs. More is yet to be done to reach our targets for Agenda 2030, but the foundation is there, next steps are key in achieving more within SDGs 13,14 and 15.

What opportunities are there for The Salvation Army to create or further develop the work in this area?

As the Salvation Army the opportunity to tackle the root causes of biodiversity loss is the only way to stop the current decline of the quality of nature. The required means of implementation should accompany the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, our care for the environment needs to adapt to this framework within communities across our different territories. Putting a value on our natural capital is needed since markets everywhere are still failing to incorporate the true value of nature. The adoption of the SEEA (System of Environmental Economic Accounting) can be an important step, but many countries have not yet incorporated these guidelines into their policy frameworks, The Salvation Army, International Organizations, Governments and Civil society can collaborate to implement such frameworks. Financing gaps must be addressed, and positive incentives can be created to promote a system-wide shift to better value biodiversity and ecosystems within territories and their communities. Tackling corruption and strengthening legal frameworks, including to curb poaching and trafficking, is needed especially in regions such as Asia, Africa and The Americas. Poaching and trafficking have severe links to not only biodiversity loss but also to the spread of zoonotic diseases, increased corruption, and losses in revenues and tourism income. The two activities also serve as means of financing other forms of illegal activities. There is a need to enhance SDG cooperation within army territories, promote sharing of modern information and intelligence, as well as enhance capacity building by promoting progressive SDG actions on a global scale within the Salvation Army.

Web links for more information

• Sustainable Development Goal number 15, UN-HLPF 2022
• United Nations High-level Political Forum 2022
• The Salvation Army International Positional Statement on The Environment
• The United Nations System of Environment Economic Accounting
• Salvation Army World Services Office