UN biodiversity talks in Yerevan end with action plan, but funding gap remains

In brief

• Nearly 200 countries closed the UN biodiversity conference COP17 in Yerevan on 31 October.
• They adopted an action plan to speed up implementation of the 2030 nature targets.
• The talks nearly collapsed, and several outcomes were watered down.
• Funding for conservation remained one of the most contested and least resolved issues.

Action plan agreed after two weeks of talks

Nearly 200 countries spent almost two weeks negotiating at COP17 in Yerevan, the Armenian capital, before the conference closed on 31 October (Uno-Biodiversitätskonferenz: Staaten einigen sich auf Aktionsplan zum Weltnaturvertrag – DER SPIEGEL) (Finał szczytu COP17: Niemcy liderem finansowania ochrony natury – Deutsche Welle). The central question was how states can keep their own nature goals despite setbacks. At the close, the parties adopted an action plan meant to accelerate implementation before the deadline (Nations commit to get nature goals back on track – Phys.org). Armenian environment minister Hambardzum Matevosyan presided over the meeting (COP biodiversité : à Erevan, en Arménie, près de 200 Etats s’accordent sur des textes-clés mais à l’ambition affaiblie – Le Monde).

Deal came close to collapse

According to FAZ, the meeting was about 30 minutes from ending without an agreement (konferenz in Eriwan: 30 Minuten vor Schluss drohte das Naturschutz-Treffen zu scheitern – FAZ.NET). Several outcomes were watered down, and Le Monde described the key texts as adopted with reduced ambition. Environmental groups were disappointed by the compromises and by missed chances to address the human pressure on nature. WWF nevertheless called the action plan the most important result of the conference.

Financing remains the sticking point

Who pays for conservation was one of the most contested issues (UN-Biodiversitätskonferenz COP17: 200 Staaten einigen sich auf Beschlüsse zum Artenschutz – ZEIT ONLINE). Reports said funding remains short of what is needed (Countries reach COP17 deal to speed up biodiversity action, but money still short – Investing.com) (konferenz in Eriwan: Mehr Geld für den Naturschutz dringend gesucht – FAZ.NET). German environment minister Carsten Schneider said some countries tried to block progress and avoid responsibility, including on financial questions. He said Germany remains the largest donor to international nature protection and will keep backing new protected areas on land and at sea.