While the Trump administration in Washington was reducing environmental programs, delegates at U.N. biodiversity talks in Rome achieved modest progress on measures to support nature. The delegates were working to address global biodiversity losses, which are unprecedented in human history and driven by human activities.
The talks were influenced by recent geopolitical changes, with countries negotiating in a large conference room. Delegates carefully negotiated the language of diplomatic texts, despite announcements by Britain about reduced overseas development aid and the U.S. continuing to cut its international aid programs.
Colombia’s departing environment minister, Susana Muhamad, who led the meeting, expressed a sense of hope. She stated that the global common good, including environmental protection and collaboration, is possible.
Many developing countries with rich biodiversity but limited economic resources participated in tense negotiations about a potential new fund for nature funding. A hard-won compromise led to applause, as delegates agreed to a process to decide on the creation of the fund.
The meeting also approved a framework for monitoring nations’ progress on biodiversity commitments made in Montreal in 2022. These commitments included conserving 30 percent of the world’s land and water. BirdLife International’s chief executive, Martin Harper, called these steps crucial but emphasized the need for financial support from developed nations.
Countries have recognized a significant biodiversity financing gap of $700 billion a year and agreed to mobilize at least $200 billion annually by 2030. However, finding this amount in a short period is challenging, even under favorable political conditions.
Notably, the United States was absent from the talks, marking a rare occurrence. The U.S. has not ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity, the treaty underlying the negotiations, but has still influenced talks in the past. The Trump administration’s dismantling of biodiversity funding streams through the Agency for International Development raised concerns about future biodiversity support worldwide.
Monica Medina, formerly the
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/climate/cop16-biodiversity-rome.html
