UN report warns global biodiversity action off track, urges implementation

The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, unveiled the initial global report on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework's implementation, highlighting that current efforts are falling short of the 2030 objectives. The report, presented in Yerevan, Armenia, prior to the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), examines collective advancements under the framework, which comprises 23 targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and four long-term goals for 2050.

Approximately 90% of the 196 Parties to the CBD have formulated national biodiversity targets, while close to 60% have formulated national biodiversity strategies and action plans, and over 70% have submitted national reports. Over 5,000 commitments have been registered from indigenous peoples, local communities, subnational governments, businesses, and civil society organizations.

However, despite widespread participation, none of the 23 global targets demonstrate a fully positive outlook, and fewer than half of the national targets evaluated by Parties are currently on track. Many national targets do not cover the full extent of global targets; for instance, fewer countries have committed to reducing harmful subsidies compared to promoting positive incentives.

The report identifies gaps in financing, whole-of-government and whole-of-society action, and data and knowledge necessary for tracking progress. The chief challenges lie in those areas requiring action beyond environment ministries, such as business action, sustainable consumption, harmful incentives, and finance. Guterres emphasized the necessity of greater financial and technical assistance, particularly for developing nations, urging the reform of harmful subsidies, nature-positive investment, and stronger integration of biodiversity into public policies and budgets.

Inger Andersen, the UN Environment Programme's executive director, stressed the importance of tangible progress rather than mere promises, underscoring the critical role of biodiversity for human well-being. The report will serve as a foundation for the first global review of collective progress under the framework at COP17, taking place from October 19 to 30 in Yerevan.