World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
COP17 to assess progress on global biodiversity goals as most targets lag
Governments are meeting in Yerevan, Armenia, for COP17, the UN biodiversity summit running from October 19 to 30.
The meeting is the first global review of the 2022 Kunming-Montreal biodiversity agreement, which nearly 200 countries backed to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030.
Its 23 targets include protecting 30% of the world’s land and seas, restoring 30% of damaged ecosystems and raising more money for nature.
Nearly 90% of countries have set national biodiversity targets, but fewer than half of the targets assessed are on track.
Current commitments also fall short of the goal to protect 30% of land and seas, while progress on funding and harmful subsidies is slow.
This matters because damage to ecosystems is linked to risks such as food insecurity, water stress, extreme heat and wildfires.
At COP17, governments will identify gaps and consider how to speed up action in the four years remaining until 2030.
COP17 will bring nearly 200 countries to Yerevan, Armenia, from October 19 to 30 to review progress on global biodiversity goals.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022, set 23 targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.
Nearly 90% of countries have established national biodiversity targets, but fewer than half of those assessed are on track.
Current commitments fall short of the goal to protect 30% of the world’s land and seas, while biodiversity funding and reforms to harmful subsidies remain concerns.
The review will examine implementation gaps and what needs to change in the four years remaining until 2030.
- Who
- Nearly 200 countries that are parties to the biodiversity treaty.
- What
- They will review collective progress on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s 23 targets. Fewer than half of assessed national targets are on track.
- When
- October 19 to 30, 2026.
- Where
- Yerevan, Armenia.
- Why
- To assess progress toward the 2030 biodiversity goals and identify implementation gaps and needed changes.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Countries adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at COP15 in Montreal.
The Convention on Biological Diversity released a progress report finding fewer than half of assessed targets on track.
COP17 begins in Yerevan, Armenia.
COP17 is scheduled to end.
- Framework targets
- 23 goals for 2030
- National targets
- Nearly 90% of countries have established them
- Targets on track
- Fewer than half of those assessed
- Protected land and inland waters
- About 18.4% globally
- Protected marine and coastal areas
- 23.2% under national jurisdiction
- Biodiversity funding goal
- $200 billion a year from all sources
13 sources
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What people are saying
We’re not moving fast enough
Do we have enough money actually to finance the commitments that countries have made? And how do we get more finance to flow toward biodiversity positive outcomes?