In Rome, an annual United Nations biodiversity conference will resume this Tuesday after coming to an incomplete conclusion in Colombia last year. A major focus this time is how to effectively use pledged funds and secure additional resources for the vital conservation of global plant and animal life.
The previous talks, dubbed COP16, made some headway, notably implementing an agreement mandating profit-sharing from companies capitalizing on genetic resources, such as medicinal compounds derived from rainforest plants. Additionally, greater emphasis was placed on involving Indigenous peoples and local communities in conservation dialogues.
However, the allotted two-week timeframe proved insufficient to finalize all matters. The discussions in Colombia followed the landmark COP15 accord held in Montreal in 2022, which established 23 measures for biodiversity protection. Key objectives include safeguarding 30% of Earth’s land and seas, alongside restoring degraded ecosystems by 2030 — initiatives collectively termed the Global Biodiversity Framework.
Georgina Chandler, who leads policy and campaigns for the Zoological Society London, described the shift in focus — from defining goals in Montreal to pinpointing implementation strategies in Cali. The Rome with discussions aims to tackle essential decisions concerning financing, resource mobilization, and adherence to planning and reporting requirements.
Efforts are targeted towards achieving a $20 billion annual biodiversity fund by 2025, increasing to $30 billion by 2030. However, as of November, merely $383 million has been pledged by 12 nations or regions including Austria, Canada, and Japan among others.
Central to the discussions will be the establishment of a “global financing instrument for biodiversity” to equitably allocate the amassed funds. A significant portion of the talks will also focus on bolstering financial commitments.
Finance discussions in Colombia were reported to be especially contentious. Linda Krueger of The Nature Conservancy noted the pressing need to devise fair collection and disbursement strategies for biodiversity funding. However, Oscar Soria from The Common Initiative expressed skepticism, highlighting diminishing sources of biodiversity finance.
Soria likened the situation to a narrative where anticipated financial commitments might not materialize, potentially culminating in an unsatisfactory resolution. Despite these concerns, Susana Muhamad, COP16 president and Colombia’s former environment minister, remains optimistic for a constructive outcome from Rome.
Muhamad emphasized that an agreement on protecting biodiversity amidst current global conflicts would convey a powerful message. This urgency is underscored by a World Wildlife Fund and Zoological Society of London report indicating a 73% average decline in global wildlife populations over 50 years.
Chandler stressed biodiversity’s critical role in supporting human livelihoods, impacting air quality, water supply, food systems, and climate regulation. The detrimental effects of Amazon deforestation reverberate across continents, demonstrating the profound interconnectedness of global ecosystems.
In summary, the ongoing discussions in Rome are pivotal to solidifying financial strategies and cooperative measures needed to secure a sustainable future for global biodiversity.
