Due to the severe ecological damage caused by the illegal harvest, collection and trade of wild Conophytum plants, if habitat restoration and repair cannot be achieved through compensation, it may be considered to entrust the compensation for ecological damage in such cases to the Kunming Biodiversity Fund.

In 2021, during the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) at the United Nations, the Chinese President announced that China would take the lead in contributing 1.5 billion RMB to establish the Kunming Biodiversity Fund, supporting biodiversity conservation efforts in developing countries. China called for and welcomed contributions from all parties to the fund.

Illegal wildlife trade poses a global problem in terms of environmental destruction, requiring international cooperation and comprehensive solutions. The Kunming Biodiversity Fund, as a global funding mechanism serving the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), aims to support biodiversity conservation efforts in developing countries and provides a potential mechanism for protecting and restoring local ecosystems damaged by illegal trade.

The purpose of the Kunming Biodiversity Fund, initiated by China with an initial contribution of 1.5 billion yuan, is to support biodiversity conservation efforts in developing countries. Therefore, such a mechanism should be considered for future cases of environmental damage caused by transnational illegal wildlife trade. By channeling funds through mechanisms like the Kunming Biodiversity Fund, it can be used for the protection and restoration of local ecosystems.

This funding mechanism is an excellent solution and outstanding innovation based on the concept of "Earth Community of Life," providing a potential mechanism for protecting and restoring local ecosystems damaged by illegal trade. Taking the Conophytum case as an example, the compensation for ecological damage in biodiversity protection cases can be paid to the Kunming Biodiversity Fund, accompanied by a statement indicating that the funds are used for the protection and restoration of Conophytum plants and their habitats in South Africa. This approach offers several benefits:

Firstly, the Kunming Biodiversity Fund can use these funds to support the implementation of biodiversity protection measures in South Africa, including Conophytum plants. The funds can be used to establish and optimize protected areas, implement monitoring and enforcement measures, strengthen the fight against illegal wildlife trade, and prevent further ecological damage.

Secondly, entrusting compensation for Conophytum's ecological damage to the Kunming Biodiversity Fund can facilitate habitat restoration and recovery at the local level. It can help alleviate the environmental destruction and ecosystem imbalance caused by the illegal collection of wild plants. By injecting the compensation funds into the Kunming Biodiversity Fund, they can be used for habitat restoration efforts and restoring the balance of the local ecosystem.

Furthermore, allocating compensation for Conophytum's ecological damage to the Kunming Biodiversity Fund can also be used to assist in education and awareness activities in local communities in South Africa, increasing awareness of biodiversity conservation among residents and stakeholders. Through environmental education and promoting sustainable livelihoods, it can enhance local residents' understanding of wildlife and ecosystems, reduce illegal collection and trade of wildlife.

(This article is based on the speech by Dr. Jin-Feng Zhou at the Expert Discussion on "Building the Earth Community of Life." The text is for reference only. Comments and feedback are welcome.)

_________________________

[ABOUT CIC]

Clean Internet for Conophytum is a conservation initiative launched by the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF). It aims to combat illegal wildlife trade, particularly cross-border poaching and illegal succulent plant trade, by purifying the online trading platform of illegal wild plant transactions. The goal is to protect biodiversity and build a global community of life. The campaign was launched on March 9, 2023, and has received support and participation from general public, numerous conservationists, horticulturists, and businesses.

In order to assist in the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and to help law enforcement agencies in China and Africa combat illegal wildlife trade on the internet, CBCGDF calls for attention to the issue of illegal trades of Conophytum plants and encourages the general public to say "no" to any trade of wild Conophytum.

The CBCGDF has filed an environmental public interest lawsuit against Chen Qing, a seller of wild conophytum known as "Flower Doctor." The pre-trial meeting will be held on the morning of July 11 2023, followed by the formal trial in the afternoon. Currently, there has never been such a case where a Chinese social organization files a lawsuit involving illegal transnational trade of endangered plants. This case is widely regarded as the first environmental public interest litigation in China under the concept of "building a shared community of life on Earth."

Compiled by /Ahua   
Editor： YJ
Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

Contribution

Do you know? CBCGDF is a non-profit organization. We rely on crowd-funding and donations. You have the opportunity to help us to advance biodiversity conservation. Donate TODAY to power up the movement to make it a better world for all life.
https://www.paypal.me/CBCGDFChina
http://www.cbcgdf.org/English/ConfirmDonaTion/0.html

[relavant report]

1. The 1st Environmental Lawsuit to Build a Shared Community For All Life: Litigation against Illegal Conophytum Trader "Dr Flower" to Heard on July 11, 2023
http://www.cbcgdf.org/English/NewsShow/5001/24107.html

2. Zhou Jinfeng: Urgent Protection of South African's Conophytum is Crucial, as the Earth is a Shared community for All
(to publish)