WWF Annual Review 2021 - 9

of nature-based solutions in their efforts to
address the climate crisis.
Bolder-than-ever commitments have also been
made, building on last year's groundbreaking
Leaders' Pledge for Nature: the new Nature
Compact initiative announced by the G7 countries
that calls for net-zero-emission and naturepositive
targets; and the Kunming Declaration
by government ministers at the UN COP15
biodiversity summit that supports the
reversal of biodiversity loss by 2030.
There have also been new, substantial and
targeted financial commitments: a US$5 billion
commitment from nine philanthropic
organizations to support nature conservation; the
RMB1.5 billion pledged by China to a new fund
that supports biodiversity protection in developing
countries; the EU undertaking to double its
overseas nature funding; the commitments made
by some states at COP26 (US$12 billion to protect,
restore and sustainably manage forests, and US$1.7
billion to directly finance Indigenous Peoples and
local communities); the pledge by 75 financial
institutions, with assets worth €12 trillion, to
protect and restore nature through their finance
activities and investments; and much more.
CRUCIAL MOMENT
But the truth is that humanity hovers at the
crossroads, with current commitments still
falling far too short. We need a transformation
in ambition and action. An end to taking nature
for granted. The protection of more land and
waters. A systemic shift in production and
consumption. And the adoption of a whole-ofsociety,
integrated, rights-based approach,
with the conservation leadership of Indigenous
Peoples and local communities - those who most
directly interface with nature and depend on
nature's resources - fully recognized.
More and more state and non-state actors
are recognizing the need for urgency - and
came together in a new campaign in 2021,
#TheRaceIsOn, to ensure commitments are
converted into concrete global and national
action. Attention is now focused on the concluding
session of the UN Convention on Biological
Diversity COP15 in 2022, and the need to
establish an ambitious and transformational
Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework -
a new action plan for nature - that sets us
on the path to recovery.
We must not fail at this crucial moment in history.
Together, we must agree and act now to halt and
reverse nature loss and secure a nature-positive
world by 2030 so that there is more nature by the
end of the decade than there is today, not less.
Together we can and must deliver a nature-positive
and a net-zero-emissions society as the necessary
foundation to a safer and more equitable future
for humanity, and all life on Earth. Wisdom, not
foolishness, must win the day.
Marco Lambertini
Director General,
WWF International
WATCH MARCO LAMBERTINI
WWF and partners
are supporting
DISCUSS OUR UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY
TO ACT FOR NATURE AND
PEOPLE IN 2022
tiger-range states with
the TX2 goal of doubling
the number of
wild tigers.
9
© Emmanuel Rondeau / WWF-US
https://youtu.be/LwVbWAFsYLc
WWF Annual Review 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of WWF Annual Review 2021
