Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy

France has officially ratified the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ), marking a significant advancement for marine biodiversity protection. On 5 November, Minister Jean-Noël Barrot presented the ratification bill to the Senate, where it received unanimous approval, following the National Assembly's support in May. Signed by France on 20 September 2023, the treaty builds on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982) and aims to protect 50% of the planet's surface and two-thirds of the ocean, advancing the global target of conserving at least 30% of the ocean by 2030, as set by the Convention on Biological Diversity. While we share the 30x30 goal with the High Seas Alliance, current MPA coverage remains far from 30%, as efforts are primarily focused on Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). The BBNJ treaty creates a pathway to accelerate MPA establishment on the high seas, expanding conservation to a much larger scale. This milestone will bolster our work within EEZs and enhance our capacity to create MPAs at the scale needed to meet the 30x30 target, offering renewed hope for ocean conservation. The agreement will also play a key role in shaping future Deep-Sea Mining (DSM) negotiations, promoting sustainable resource use. With 60 ratifications required for the treaty's enactment, France and other EU nations are working to implement it by June 2025, ahead of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice. High Seas Alliance Dona Bertarelli #BBNJ #HighSeasTreaty #MarineBiodiversity #30x30

This year's #COP16 in Cali gathered global leaders, Indigenous groups, NGOs, and advocates to tackle urgent biodiversity issues. Key outcomes included historic recognition of Indigenous peoples and people of African descent as crucial biodiversity stewards. A new subsidiary body now gives them a voice in UN biodiversity decisions, and the Cali Fund—a pioneering mechanism—will share benefits from digital sequence information equitably with these communities. This transformative decision, decades in the making, marks a new era for conservation. However, COP16 fell short on funding and accountability for the #KunmingMontreal targets. With no clear financing plan to bridge the estimated $700 billion gap for biodiversity protection, key goals remain unmet. The summit's abrupt close, as negotiations lost quorum, underscores the urgency of action to reach 2030 targets. 🌍 Heartfelt thanks to some of our partners for making COP16 impactful: 🔹 Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy marked a milestone with the CMAR Secretariat, advancing conservation across the Eastern Tropical Pacific. 🔹Dr. Rashid Sumaila explored business roles in a regenerative blue economy, including deep-sea mining responsibility. 🔹 Let's Be Nice to the Ocean led key discussions on coral reef protection and marine plastic pollution. 🔹 Deep-Sea Conservation Coalition launched the #SeamountsAccord, calling for global protection of deep-sea ecosystems. 🔹 Global Fishing Watch highlighted Marine Manager, co-created by our founder Dona Bertarelli, showcasing how tech can enhance MPA management globally. 🌊 Together, we're driving #OceanConservation forward to achieve the 2030 goals. Dona Bertarelli Ussif Rashid Sumaila Global Fishing Watch The Pew Charitable Trusts Let's Be Nice to the Ocean Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) #COP16 #Biodiversity #MarineProtectedAreas #MarineConservation #NatureConservation #30x30

During CBD #COP16 in Cali, Marine Conservation Institute announced Hermandad Marine Reserve in Ecuador as a recipient of a 2024 Blue Parks Small Grant! This award highlights MPAs that deliver lasting ocean protection, supporting enhanced conservation efforts globally. This grant, small but mighty, will support real-time surveillance, enhancing enforcement and conservation impact. Proud of the work led by Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy, and of our partners, in the creation of the Hermandad in Marine Reserve two years ago, now safeguarding 50% of its waters under full protection. Let's continue our efforts to create highly protected and quality MPAs that truly safeguard our oceans. 🔗https://lnkd.in/ghFee_SR Dona Bertarelli The Pew Charitable Trusts Marine Conservation Institute #PBOL #BlueParks #MPA #MarineConservation #Galapagos #COP16

At #COP16, a coalition of conservation organizations—including Pew Charitable Trusts and The Nature Conservancy—announced efforts to expand sovereign debt conversions as a tool for unlocking funding for conservation. This approach builds on the path we paved at Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy, where our historic debt conversion set new records in scale and established a perpetual funding model for conservation. Our work demonstrates the transformative impact of collaborative partnerships. We look forward to seeing this momentum grow, unlocking critical resources for biodiversity and climate resilience in vulnerable regions worldwide. https://lnkd.in/eTJhXS5j Dona Bertarelli The Pew Charitable Trusts The Nature Conservancy #DebtForNature #ConservationSolutions #COP16 #Biodiversity #PBOL

This week's IUCN #RedList update reveals a sad reality: 38% of tree species globally are at risk of extinction. Over 47,000 species have been assessed, with more than 16,000 endangered—surpassing the total number of threatened birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians combined. Trees are facing threats from deforestation and invasive species, while climate change further endangers tropical species. They are foundational to our ecosystems, playing essential roles in carbon storage, water cycles, and habitat stability. As our founder Dona Bertarelli says "Protecting them is not just about preserving nature — we are biodiversity, part of an ecosystem that thrives only with balance." In response, we're collaborating with ACES in The Gambia on a mangrove restoration project to protect these vital ecosystems. Mangroves, like all trees, are essential for biodiversity and climate resilience, acting as natural barriers and powerful carbon sinks. Every conservation effort counts—one tree at a time, we can safeguard these irreplaceable ecosystems.🌱 Dona Bertarelli IUCN The Association for Coastal Ecosystem Services Edinburgh Napier University #IUCNRedList #TreeConservation #MangroveRestoration #ClimateAction #Biodiversity

"Advancing the Protection Principle", launched by our partner Let's Be Nice to the Ocean, is a timely call to action as the CBD #COP16 takes place in Cali and we look ahead to the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice next June. This document promotes a transformative principle: protecting the ocean should be the rule, not the exception, with industries bearing the responsibility to prevent harm rather than oceans bearing the burden of their actions. As we approach UNOC3, where global leaders will set the agenda for the future of ocean governance, this shift is more urgent than ever. Ocean plays a critical role in stabilizing the climate, absorbing over 90% of excess heat and 25% of CO₂ emissions. But this resilience has come at a great cost, driving warming, acidification, and biodiversity loss. #UNOC3 in Nice presents a rare opportunity to enshrine this principle into global policy, shaping a future where protection leads, preserving the ocean's vital role in the Earth's climate and biodiversity systems. Dona Bertarelli Let's Be Nice to the Ocean Remi Parmentier #COP16 #OceanConservation #CBD #UNOC3 #SustainableFuture #OceanRights

As #COP16 spotlights the urgency of safeguarding biodiversity, our collaboration with Rewilding Argentina serves as a powerful example of restoration in action. This partnership is advancing the restoration of Patagonia Azul's coastal ecosystems and fostering a conservation-oriented local economy. Created by Argentine conservationists and part of the Tompkins Conservation network, Rewilding Argentina is dedicated to restoring ecosystems, reintroducing native species, and empowering local communities to become protectors of their environment. Together, we're working to establish well-managed marine and terrestrial protected areas and to promote sustainable livelihoods, like eco-tourism and regenerative food production. Patagonia Azul's rich biodiversity—sandy beaches, rocky coves, and over 60 islands—provides vital habitats for marine birds, mammals, and diverse marine life, sustained by Antarctic currents that bring some of the Argentine Sea's highest productivity. Among this vibrant life, whales may play an extraordinary role in combating climate change. 🐋 These giants store carbon in their bodies, and when they pass, the carbon sinks to the ocean floor, helping keep it out of our atmosphere. Protecting them is essential to restoring a balanced marine ecosystem and aiding in climate mitigation. By securing Patagonia Azul, we're helping local inhabitants gain purposeful livelihoods while safeguarding this incredible environment. Thank you to the Rewilding Argentina team for creating a safe space and protecting our precious ecosystems. Dona Bertarelli #PatagoniaAzul #MarineConservation #MPA #RewildingArgentina #ProtectWhales #COP16

Happy 3rd Anniversary to the Arthanis Foundation! For the past three years, Arthanis Foundation has been training exceptional assistance and medical alert dogs, thanks to a network of over 30 foster families who have contributed more than 35,000 volunteer hours. With the expertise of six highly skilled canine educators, each animal receives tailored care and training to help them thrive and support their future human companions. As an animal lover and proud dog owner, I am truly inspired by the incredible work of this foundation. Dogs have always played a significant role in my life, and their intelligence and loyalty never cease to amaze me. From guiding the blind to detecting illnesses and increasing human's sociability, dogs are remarkable creatures that go beyond companionship. They are intuitive, perceptive, and capable of so much love. I'm proud to support such a meaningful cause that enriches the lives of both animals and the people they serve. Fondation Arthanis Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy #AnimalLover #Arthanis #DogLover

With only 19% of the seafloor mapped, the push for exploration has skyrocketed. Over 1.5 million km² of the seafloor is now licensed for exploration, with several nations considering deep-sea mining and extraction activities. These operations not only threaten the seafloor but also impact water and ecosystems far above, as mining releases sediment and chemicals, and equipment generates disruptive noise that travels across vast distances. As experts and organizations from all around the world convene at #COP16, it's essential to highlight the increasing pressure our deep oceans face. Deep-sea ecosystems, the most biodiverse on Earth, are under threat, and understanding the full consequences of human activity in these areas is essential. Dona Bertarelli

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made Art Basel Paris such a remarkable event! We were honored to present "Biodiversity Through the Lens", an exhibition created in partnership with Discover Earth UNESCO and Nautilus Magazine. While Art Basel concluded on Sunday, the stunning exhibition at the UNESCO Headquarters fences will continue until December 31st. This collection unites art, photography, and nature conservation, offering a profound exploration of Earth's incredible biodiversity while highlighting its fragility. The exhibition invites you to pause and reflect on the delicate balance of life that surrounds us. Through the lens of talented artists, we witness not only the breathtaking beauty of landscapes and species but also the deeper stories of interdependence and resilience that define our connection to the natural world. We looked forward to welcoming you to these important events. May the art on display spark admiration and encourage meaningful conversations about the urgent need for conservation. Thank you again to all our partners, photographers, and stakeholders who made this possible! Dona Bertarelli #Art #Biodiversity #Conservation #ArtBasel