Humanity will not be able to achieve its goal of halting biodiversity loss by 2030. Countries are failing to meet at least 22 of the 23 targets set out in the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), also known as the ‘Paris Agreement for Nature’.
This has been reported by Carbon Brief, citing a draft global report prepared by the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
The text has already undergone expert review and, following technical finalisation, will be presented at the COP17 summit, due to take place in Armenia in October.
Empty promises
Virtually all the world’s nations agreed in Montreal in 2022 to adhere to the GBF. This involves 23 targets to be achieved by 2030.
However, even when it comes to submitting national reports – which form the basis for the global report – only 45 per cent of countries provided their data on time.
According to preliminary UN estimates, the outlook is not positive for any of the goals. Countries lack both the ambition and the practical implementation of measures within the framework of the GBF.
A near-total failure
Achievement of each target is rated on a scale of 0 to 1. The results are divided into four categories, ranging from the lowest (red) for scores of 0–0.25 to the highest (green) for scores of 0.75–1.
Only one target received a high score. It is number 8 and concerns minimising the impact of climate change on biodiversity, in particular through mitigation and adaptation.
In their national reports, countries justified the gaps by citing a lack of financial resources, technological development or scientific cooperation.
“These barriers may lead to unequal opportunities and impose certain technical and financial constraints on all parties, particularly developing countries. It is highly likely that these constraints are even more acute for the least developed countries and small island developing states,” the UN report states.
One of the GBF’s key goals is the third – to protect 30 per cent of the Earth’s land and sea for nature. The report notes some progress in expanding and managing protected areas, particularly marine and coastal ones. However, this is not sufficient to achieve all aspects of the goal.
At the same time, the UN highlights the poor quality of monitoring and reporting on the implementation of measures.
Another key goal is the second one. It concerns the restoration of at least 30 per cent of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030. The UN points out that efforts in this direction are expanding, but the fulfilment of current commitments is extremely low.
To achieve Goal 18, which concerns limiting financial support for harmful sectors and initiatives, countries have made some progress in assessing, compiling inventories and commissioning studies on harmful subsidies. However, this data is incomplete, and there is still no consensus on what constitutes ‘harmful’.
Progress on other goals relating to combating pollution, invasive species, funding beneficial initiatives and the exchange of genetic resources is also far from ideal. The UN notes that progress has been partial but insufficient.
EcoPolitic previously reported that, despite the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement, global warming has only accelerated.
