UN chief says nations need to end ‘war on nature’

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized on Thursday that the "war on nature" has not been ended as he unveiled a report revealing that the world is not meeting its biodiversity commitments. The leaders of nearly 200 countries gathered in Armenia for the UN biodiversity negotiations to assess the progress and challenges towards a 2030 goal of halting and reversing nature loss.

Despite joining the landmark Paris Agreement for Nature four years ago, these nations have been slow to act on its objectives. The accord outlined 23 targets for preserving and restoring nature by 2030, including reducing pollution, safeguarding endangered species, and preserving 30% of terrestrial and marine areas. However, many of these targets are off track, according to Guterres as he introduced a global report highlighting the disparity between ambition and action.

While there is some progress, it is insufficient, and the world is far from what is required, he told reporters in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia where the COP17 talks commence on Monday. The report indicated that government policies are insufficient to achieve the primary biodiversity goal of protecting 30% of Earth's land and waters by 2030.

Other targets are lagging further behind. Guterres stressed that countries must honor their financial commitments to developing nations and highlighted the lack of advancement in addressing government spending that harms nature. Although countries have pledged to cut harmful subsidies by US$500 billion annually by 2030, little progress has been made.

Currently, for every dollar invested in nature protection or restoration, approximately $30 is directed towards activities that degrade it, as per UN data. Guterres emphasized that nature will not thrive on mere good intentions. He pointed out the significant influence of certain sectors, including industrial fishing, fossil fuels, and logging operations, that exert undue power over governments.

The scarcity of funds has been identified as a major obstacle to attaining the biodiversity goals. The UN does not anticipate major new pledges at COP17 but will expect countries to rectify their course. Biodiversity is in crisis, with species disappearing and ecosystems collapsing, warned Sue Lieberman from the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Governments and all stakeholders must recognize that investing in nature is not a luxury but a fundamental necessity for our survival.