There were tears of joy in Rome last month as negotiators reconvened to pick up where COP16 biodiversity talks left off last November. In what was described as a win for multilateralism, they agreed a strategy to mobilise $200 billion annual funding for developing nations by 2030 and beyond,
The article from Reuters discusses the challenges and progress in global biodiversity conservation following the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) at the COP15 summit in December 2022. Despite the historic agreement aimed at halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030, the path forward remains fraught with obstacles. Key issues include the need for significant financial commitments, with an estimated $200 billion per year required by 2030, and the complexities of translating international commitments into national policies. The article highlights the slow progress in implementing the GBF's targets, such as protecting 30% of the planet's land and oceans, and the ongoing threats from habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change. It also notes the importance of engaging various stakeholders, including indigenous communities, and the necessity for better monitoring and reporting mechanisms to ensure accountability. Despite these challenges, there is cautious optimism about the potential for transformative change if countries can align their actions with the ambitious goals set forth in the GBF.
Food & Wine
