COP15 deal to halt loss of biodiversity: welcomed by some, not enough for others
The COP15 biodiversity summit’s historic agreement to protect 30% of land and water important for biodiversity by 2030, designed to halt its loss was welcomed by many, while others, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), argue that it does not go far enough in supporting conservation efforts in developing countries.
Countries have reached the landmark agreement at a marathon United Nations biodiversity summit to protect the world’s land and oceans and provide critical financing to save biodiversity in the developing world despite objections from some African countries.
The most significant part of the deal is a commitment to protect 30% of land and water considered important for biodiversity by 2030. Currently, 17% of terrestrial and 10% of marine areas are protected. The draft also calls for raising $200bn by 2030 for biodiversity from a range of sources and working to phase out or reform subsidies that could provide another $500bn for nature. As part of the financing package, the framework calls for increasing to at least $20bn annually by 2025 the money that goes to poor countries — or about double what is currently provided. That number would increase to $30bn each year by 2030.
“There has never been a conservation goal globally at this scale,” says Brian O’Donnell from Campaign for Nature, a conservation group. “This puts us within a chance of safeguarding biodiversity from collapse… We’re now within the range that scientists think can make a marked difference in biodiversity.”
However, a representative from the DRC earlier objected to the text, raising concerns about developed nations’ responsibility for funding conservation in developing countries. “The parties which are developed nations should provide resources to parties which are developing,” the DRC’s representative said.
Also, Brazilian delegate Braulio Dias, called for “better resource mobilization” — technical speak for more aid to developing countries, a concern echoed by the DRC.
