BOGOTA – The United Nations biodiversity conference is back in session. After running out of time last year, officials will meet in Rome to discuss vital funding for protecting plant and animal life.
The key topic? How to effectively allocate the money that has already been promised and find new ways to boost that funding. The previous session in Colombia, known as COP16, led to important agreements, including benefits sharing for companies using genetic resources, like medicines derived from rainforest plants. It also emphasized giving Indigenous peoples more say in conservation efforts.
Despite these achievements, two weeks wasn’t enough to cover all the necessary ground.
Last year’s COP15 meeting in Montreal set ambitious goals, including a commitment to protect 30% of the planet’s land and marine areas by 2030. This initiative, called the Global Biodiversity Framework, aims to combat the ongoing biodiversity crisis.
Georgina Chandler from the Zoological Society London described the Montreal meeting as focused on the “what” of biodiversity goals, while COP16 aimed to address the “how.” This involves practical planning and securing finances for implementing these goals. However, the previous talks ended prematurely, leaving unresolved issues around money collection and distribution.
So far, only $383 million has been raised, far below the target of $20 billion per year by 2025, and $30 billion by 2030. The pledged amount comes from just 12 nations, including Canada, Germany, and Japan.
During the Rome talks, participants will explore creating a “global financing instrument for biodiversity” to facilitate better funding distribution. However, attendees are concerned about how to effectively gather and fairly distribute these essential resources.
Oscar Soria, head of The Common Initiative think tank, expressed skepticism about raising sufficient funds, highlighting a decline in significant sources for biodiversity financing.
Colombia’s former environment minister, Susana Muhamad, remains hopeful that these talks will result in a positive outcome, emphasizing the importance of global cooperation despite ongoing geopolitical tensions.
According to a recent report, global wildlife populations have fallen by an alarming 73% since 1970. Ensuring biodiversity is crucial for our survival, as it supports clean air, safe drinking water, and food security. Chandler pointed out that destruction in regions like the Amazon affects weather patterns and agricultural productivity beyond their borders, showcasing the interconnectedness of our ecosystems.
Check out this related article: How Statistical Downscaling Impacts Projected Climate Damages: Key Differences Explained – Communications Earth & Environment
Source linkSusana Muhamad,Health,Georgina Chandler,Linda Krueger,environment,Climate,World news
