As COP16 resumes in Rome, biodiversity funding is on the line
Feb 20, 2025
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Natasha White, a Bloomberg reporter who covered COP16 in Cali, dives into the aftermath of the summit focused on biodiversity and climate challenges. She discusses the high expectations prior to COP16 and the disappointment of unresolved key issues. White explores the urgent need for biodiversity funding, highlighting the tensions between developed and developing nations. With COP16 reconvening in Rome, she anticipates discussions on resource mobilization and the role of private finance in conservation efforts.
The biodiversity crisis, with a 75% decline in species diversity over 50 years, underscores an urgent need for global conservation efforts.
Ongoing tensions between developed and developing countries over funding highlight the challenges in mobilizing the necessary $200 billion annually for biodiversity.
Deep dives
The Importance of Biodiversity Crises
The biodiversity crisis is gaining recognition as a significant global issue, comparable to climate change. Over the past 50 years, species diversity has seen a drastic decline of approximately 75%, impacting ecosystems worldwide. The global biodiversity framework established goals such as protecting 30% of land and marine areas by 2030, highlighting the urgency for nations to take action. As nations reconvene to assess progress and secure funding, the direct link between biodiversity loss and economic sustainability becomes increasingly clear.
Challenges of the COP16 Conference
The COP16 conference faced challenges and ultimately ended without securing key agreements, necessitating a continuation in Rome. The main agenda items included evaluating national biodiversity plans and developing a strategy for mobilizing resources amounting to $200 billion annually. The lack of timely submissions from many nations for their biodiversity strategies was a significant concern. Tensions arose between developed and developing countries regarding funding mechanisms, highlighting deep-rooted distrust and differing priorities.
Innovative Financial Solutions for Biodiversity
To address the biodiversity crisis, innovative financial strategies are being proposed, including biodiversity credits and debt-for-nature swaps. Biodiversity credits would allow companies to offset their environmental impact by investing in conservation projects, though criticisms exist regarding the effectiveness and potential failure of such schemes. A notable model involves infrastructure developers in the UK, who are legally required to compensate for ecological damage, thus creating a market for biodiversity credits. These financial tools could help bridge the substantial funding gap required for effective biodiversity conservation efforts.
Last October, delegates from around the world met in Cali, Colombia to discuss ways to protect the planet’s biodiversity. After a promising breakthrough in Montreal, Canada three years ago, there were high hopes for that summit. But COP16 closed in shambles, with negotiators leaving before a final agreement could be achieved on key issues. Now, the summit is resuming next week in Rome. Will developed and developing countries be able to reach consensus? Reporter Natasha White, who attended part one in Cali, tells Akshat Rathi what she expects to see when COP16 reconvenes next week in Italy.
Zero is a production of Bloomberg Green. Our producer is Mythili Rao. Special thanks this week to Sharon Chen and Jessica Beck. Thoughts or suggestions? Email us at zeropod@bloomberg.net. For more coverage of climate change and solutions, visit https://www.bloomberg.com/green.