This 2020 Challenge was Scotland's response to the European Union's Biodiversity Strategy for 2020 and the 'Aichi Targets' set by the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
Nevertheless, we can confidently say that doing nothing is sure to produce catastrophic results, while achieving the AichiTargets is the most realistic hope we have of creating a better future.
To assist eligible countries in translating the AichiTargets into NBSAPs before COP11, Japan has established a Japan Biodiversity Fund, while additional funds have been made available through the Global Environment Facility.
Governments need to put the development of new NBSAPs and the signing of the Nagoya Protocol high on their list of priorities, because any delay on these fronts will augur poorly for the achievement of the AichiTargets.
In addition to the AichiTargets, an example of the progress we are making is the adoption at COP10 of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from Their Utilization.
Developed countries agreed at the conference to increase funding to support efforts in developing states towards meeting the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, effectively doubling biodiversity-related international financial flows by 2015.