World falls behind on biodiversity targets as UN COP16 talks kick off

Two years after the landmark deal to halt nature destruction by 2030, many countries are falling behind on their commitments.

In Short

• The Global Biodiversity Framework Fund has only collected $238 million
• The summit is expected to be the largest biodiversity conference to date
• It will focus on re-energizing commitments and course-correcting

As nearly 200 nations gather in Cali, Colombia for the UN COP16 biodiversity summit, concerns are mounting over the slow progress in meeting the ambitious nature conservation goals set in 2022.

The two-week conference, starting Monday, will put pressure on countries to demonstrate their commitment to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework agreement.

Two years after the landmark deal to halt nature destruction by 2030, many countries are falling behind on their commitments.

A key issue is the lack of submitted National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). As of Friday, only 31 out of 195 countries had filed their plans to the UN biodiversity secretariat, with an additional 73 countries submitting less detailed national targets.

Funding for conservation remains a critical challenge. The summit aims to develop new initiatives to generate revenues for nature protection.

While a goal of $20 billion annually by 2025 was set to help developing countries, current funding levels are still billions short. The newly established Global Biodiversity Framework Fund has only collected $238 million so far, far below its intended target.

Colombia's Environment Minister Susana Muhamad, serving as COP16 president, emphasized the need to address the reasons behind the delayed submissions and insufficient
funding. She highlighted that some countries might lack the resources to produce comprehensive plans.

The summit, expected to be the largest biodiversity conference to date with 23,000 registered delegates, will focus on re-energizing commitments and course-correcting to meet the 2030 targets.

Key objectives include assessing submitted plans, exploring new funding sources, and integrating climate change considerations into biodiversity strategies.

As the world continues to face unprecedented challenges like mass coral bleaching events, the urgency to translate commitments into action has never been greater.

The success of COP16 will largely depend on countries' ability to accelerate their efforts and secure adequate funding for global biodiversity conservation.