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

Antonio Guterres, the UN chief, declared on Thursday that humanity has yet to end the "war on nature" while unveiling a report highlighting the world's failure to meet its biodiversity commitments. Nations will evaluate their progress and shortcomings in reaching a 2030 target aimed at halting and reversing nature loss during the upcoming UN biodiversity negotiations in Armenia. Nearly 200 countries signed the Paris Agreement for Nature four years ago, but their actions have fallen short of the pact's objectives.

The pact outlined 23 targets for safeguarding nature by 2030, such as curbing pollution, shielding endangered species, and preserving 30% of the Earth's land and oceans. However, many of these targets are lagging, according to Guterres as he released a global report outlining the discrepancies between ambition and action. He told reporters that while there is progress, it is insufficient, and the world is far from the necessary steps.

The report revealed that government policies are inadequate to achieve the core biodiversity goal of safeguarding 30% of Earth's land and waters by 2030. Other targets are trailing further behind. Guterres emphasized that countries must fulfill their financial commitments to developing nations and pointed out the absence of advancements in addressing government spending that negatively impacts nature.

Despite pledging to reduce harmful subsidies by $500 billion annually by 2030, little progress has been made in this area. For every dollar invested in nature protection or restoration, about $30 continues to support activities that degrade it, as per UN figures.

Guterres stressed that nature won't thrive on mere goodwill. He noted the immense influence exerted by certain sectors with excessive power over governments, including industrial fishing, fossil fuel production, and logging. The lack of financial resources has emerged as a significant obstacle in attaining the biodiversity objectives.

Governments are not anticipated to make substantial new pledges at COP17, but they will face pressure to correct their course. Biodiversity is in crisis, with species disappearing and ecosystems collapsing, stated Sue Lieberman from the Wildlife Conservation Society. Governments and all stakeholders must recognize that investing in nature is not a luxury but the very cornerstone of our survival.