中国深度参与全球海洋生物多样性保护的研究与展望

Research and prospects for China’s deep participation in global marine biodiversity conservation

海洋是全球生物多样性的宝库,目前全球海洋的保护面积不足10%.世界各国如何携手实现“30×30”目标,将面临诸多争议与挑战,全球海洋治理体系正在发生变革.海洋生物多样性保护已成为未来全球海洋治理的重要议题,中国应抓住契机,规划路径,以实现深度参与.本文通过对全球海洋生物多样性议题发展过程中的关键事件开展溯源分析,系统梳理了全球海洋生物多样性保护的现行治理机制与发展趋势,并基于该领域代表性的国际调查评估,重点剖析全球海洋生物多样性的现状以及未来实现“30×30”目标将要面临的挑战.综合以上,对中国未来深度参与全球海洋生物多样性保护的实施路径进行思考与展望.面对国际形势与国家需求,中国应首先夯实科技支撑,加快构建自主化、智能化和国际化的海洋生物多样性观测网络与基础数据库.以科技引领海洋强国建设,支撑中国积极参与重塑全球海洋治理秩序,为海洋资源的可持续开发与利用提供中国方案.

Biodiversity is the cornerstone of the diverse services of ecosystems and the basis for people’s well-being.The oceans are the repository of global biodiversity.In 2022,The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted during the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations(UN)Convention on Biological Diversity(CBD).A significant component of this historic framework is the ambitious“30×30”goal,which calls for effective conservation and management of at least 30%of the world’s lands,inland waters,coastal areas,and oceans by 2030.With less than 10%of the world’s oceans currently protected,the future holds numerous challenges in achieving the“30×30”goal collectively.In 2023,after 20 years of negotiations,the UN General Assembly reached a consensus on the adoption of The Agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS)on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction(BBNJ Treaty).These milestones signify a major transformation in global ocean governance where marine biodiversity conservation has become one of the core issues.As the global ocean governance is currently undergoing systematic changes,China should seize the opportunity and plan a path to achieve deep participation in the global marine biodiversity conservation.To address this issue,we review the current global ocean governance mechanism and the development of marine biodiversity conservation issue through a retrospective analysis of key events.On the basis of the legal constraints of UNCLOS and CBD,a series of international conventions and rules have been developed by different parties and organizations for the protection of specific marine areas,marine ecosystems,flagship species,and fishery resources.Over the past two decades,under the leadership of the UN and with the participation of a number of international agencies,nongovernmental organizations,governmental departments,and scientists from various countries,a series of important surveys and comprehensive assessments of global biodiversity(including marine biodiversity)have been performed to provide a scientific basis for the initiative and implementation of the UN global governance program.These global initiatives include the UN 2030 Agenda,the 2021–2030 UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development,and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.As summarized in representative assessment reports,the health of marine ecosystems and biodiversity have been continuously decreasing.As much as 40%of the world’s oceans are strongly affected by four major drivers,namely,overfishing,habitat loss,climate change,and environmental pollution.Currently available marine-protected areas have low coverage of species ranges or ecoregions and are not sufficiently effective.Challenges to achieving global marine biodiversity conservation include uncertainties and tipping points in marine ecosystems under global change,conservation of biodiversity in non-jurisdictional areas and jurisdictional governance,and planning for highly connected marine ecological networks.In the future,with the implementation of the“30×30”target and the BBNJ Treaty,how to equitably achieve the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in marine areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction,as well as the equitable sharing of the benefits of biological resources(including genetic resources),will be a focal point of global oceans’governance.In the face of the international situation and national needs,guided by the concept of ecological civilization,China should initially accelerate its own capacity-building and improve the autonomy,intelligence,and internationalization of marine science and technology innovation.Such advancements will support China’s in-depth participation and leadership in global ocean governance while delivering scientific and technological support,as well as China’s sustainable development solutions.