Amidst the final hours of the United Nations biodiversity summit, Cop16, currently ongoing in Columbia, experts caution about a potential decade-long neglect in biodiversity preservation due to sluggish enforcement of a global pact to curb the demise of the Earth’s ecosystems. The previous year, 2022, saw a landmark commitment made at Cop15 in Montreal, aimed at preventing anthropogenic obliteration of life on Earth. The resolution involved objectives such as safeguarding 30% of Earth’s surface for natural life by the decade’s end (30×30), restructuring $500 billion worth of environmentally detrimental subsidies, and initiating the restoration of 30% of the planet’s impaired ecosystems.
However, among national delegates who have spent two weeks in Cali, anxiety is escalating over the absense of tangible advancement on any of the key objectives agreed upon. A burgeoning tally of indicators reveal that government efforts are off target. To meet the 30×30 headline ambition, governments still need to shield a landmass equivalent to the aggregate size of Brazil and Australia, and a marine area surpassing the size of the Indian Ocean, as per a current UN document.
Demoralisingly slow progression on nature funding and virtually no advancement on subsidy reformation has also exasperated observers. As of the time this was written, 158 nations have yet to present official strategies on approach to achieve the objectives, according to Carbon Brief, missing this month’s deadline prior to the biodiversity summit. A new deadline is unlikely to be set by governments during the summit.
Brian O’Donnell, the director of the Campaign for Nature, voiced his concern, stating, “There has been insufficient progression. In my view, political emphasis on nature is still distressingly low. This is evident in the progress, or lack thereof, made on the targets. Some targets are straightforward to measure: 30×30 has clear criteria regarding area and quality, finance has a defined dollar amount. The recently acquired data on both fronts reveal we’re not maintaining the required pace.”
Seriousness and trust need to be demonstrated in these times, Mr O’Donnell expressed. He found it somewhat disconcerting when discussions regarding future financial paths were received as unheard-of or impractical requests, rather than recognising them as commitments agreed upon just two years prior.
This concern was supported by Fintan Kelly, an officer focused on land-use policy for the Irish Environmental Network, who is currently present at Cop16. According to him, the aims identified at Cop15 were indeed lofty, yet the funding set aside for their completion remained notably unambitious. “We need investments to reach into billions, not merely millions,” he affirmed.
A biodiversity protection fund for developing nations has not reached the promised amount, and countries aren’t treating this as the severe situation it is, voiced Mr Kelly. He emphasised that contributions to this fund should not be viewed as acts of charity. He pointed out that developed nations, being the biggest consumers and pollutant producers on earth, were essentially passing the expense to underdeveloped countries.
Mr Kelly advocated a protest by indigenous individuals demanding more support for nature conservation. “Cop16 is championing the slogan ‘Peace with Nature’. However, this peace will remain unachievable without the acknowledgement and respect of nature’s best defenders – the world’s indigenous peoples.”
He advocated for the acknowledgment of the indispensable role played by indigenous peoples in preserving global biodiversity, suggesting the adoption of a permanent subsidiary governing body under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
Inger Andersen, the head of the UN Environment Programme, stated that claims of governments not meeting targets was premature, since many were putting in hard work. She admitted that while there were signs of progress, more efforts were required.
“We are tirelessly working towards our goals. The aim is to achieve all our targets by 2030. Should we fall short, it wouldn’t be a disaster, however, we have made a pact to expand our efforts and give our best” stated Ms Andersen. “We are yet six years away from the conclusion.”
Warnings have been issued by the UN and coastal nations about the destruction of coral reefs due to rising ocean temperatures. They are calling for increased funding for imperative measures to save them.
During the discussions at Cop16, a crucial special meeting was held owing to the alarming rates of coral bleaching recorded worldwide – the most detrimental in history. These extraordinary UN gatherings are usually convened when there are pressing humanitarian crises, caused by warfare or natural calamities.
Peter Thomson, the UN’s distinguished emissary for oceans, expressed his significant concern. He warned, “As we relentlessly proceed on our current path, we might witness the loss of the first global ecosystem, with corals being the initial casualty.” – Additional reporting Guardian