China presents first draft biodiversity agreement at COP15

COP15 on biodiversity takes place in Montreal on December 16, 2022. © Paul Chiasson / AP

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In Montreal, where COP 15 on biodiversity took place, the Chinese presidency submitted a first draft agreement this Sunday, December 18.

It is now in the hands of the delegations of the various countries.

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With our special correspondent in Montreal,

Each country studied this morning the text proposed by China.

Then, each group of countries met, that is to say the European Union on one side, the Africa group for example on the other.

The draft agreement is now being discussed behind closed doors between ministers and heads of delegation behind these doors of the Palace of Congress.

For content, we find the emblematic objective of 30% of land and seas protected by 2030. This objective is supported by a coalition of 116 countries, including the Europeans.

The text also includes the promise to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030.

Battles over formulations

But many formulations can also dilute key objectives such as

or changing the agricultural model.

On the financing side, and this is the sinews of war, as you know, 20 billion per year promised to developing countries by 2025, then 30 billion per year by 2030. This is more than currently , but it is very far from the annual 100 billion claimed by the countries of the South.

In the evening, the reactions of the countries will be watched, in particular those of the most demanding, Brazil, India, Indonesia, African countries.

And the negotiation will resume from this basic text for a probable 2nd version this evening or tomorrow.

►Also read: COP15: protecting biodiversity to avoid pandemics from animals

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