Countries clash over biodiversity financing at UN conference in Rome

In February 2025, representatives from 154 countries convened in Rome to continue discussions on biodiversity that had previously been interrupted during the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) in Cali, Colombia, in late 2024. The focus of the talks is on financial strategies to support the implementation of the ambitious Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to protect 30% of land and sea areas by 2030. The framework includes 23 goals, one of which is aimed at significantly reducing harmful environmental subsidies. In Cali, negotiations were disrupted by disagreements primarily centered around how to finance the ambitious goals set forth at COP15 in Montreal. In Rome, the urgency to finalize these discussions grew, as stakeholders aimed to reach a resolution on the complexities of resource mobilization. The need for appropriate funding mechanisms and the distribution of resources emerged as critical topics. There remains contention among northern and southern countries regarding the creation of a new biodiversity fund versus reforming existing financial systems. Developing countries have increasingly voiced their concerns regarding the accessibility of current funding mechanisms, which they argue are convoluted and inadequate for effectively addressing biodiversity challenges. This has led to calls for a dedicated fund that would permit easier access and a more inclusive governance structure. Conversely, donor countries have resisted the establishment of a new fund, citing the risk of fragmentation in the financial landscape, advocating instead for refinements to current frameworks. As the conference unfolds, environmental advocates and policymakers highlight the dire consequences of failing to secure sufficient financial resources for biodiversity. The discussions are pivotal not just for immediate funding needs, but for the broader implications related to climate change and ecosystems preservation, especially in biodiverse regions under severe threat. With major biodiversity loss impacting global air quality, water resources, and agricultural systems, the outcome of these negotiations in Rome holds significant importance for both current and future generations.