Nations agree to push to get nature goals on track

Nearly 200 nations agreed on Friday to adopt critical agreements at the UN biodiversity summit in Yerevan, Armenia, aimed at reversing nature loss by 2030. Delegates celebrated as the crucial documents were finalized in overtime following two weeks of intense talks. The 2022 pact set ambitious targets to halt biodiversity decline, but countries are falling short of most goals, including protecting 30% of land and oceans.

The final text stressed increased action to address root causes of nature loss. Countries debated reforms to harmful subsidies, the need for US$700 billion annual funding, and voluntary contributions from emerging economies like China. Science was also attacked, with some countries accused of resisting key biodiversity reports. Despite the compromises, observers see positive political momentum to tackle harmful financial incentives and fund conservation efforts.