The World must triple efforts to save nature
UN Biodiversity Conference COP17
Final negotiations at the UN Biodiversity Conference in Yerevan got stuck. Still, there is no agreement on the main outstanding issues, including how to mobilize at least $200 billion per year for saving nature by 2030. The next step is bringing outstanding issues to the plenary for agreement tomorrow (Friday, 30 October).
Greens/EFA Member of the European Parliament's delegation Jutta Paulus urges for EU member states to close the biodiversity finance gap and to accelerate implementation of targets set up to the year 2030, through continuing funding to stop biodiversity loss, whilst also accelerating implementation towards other 2030 targets by significantly reducing the use of pesticides and restoring nature like peatlands and wetlands:
"It is pretty simple, chronic underfunding and poor commitment to promises made, accelerate the loss of even more species and entire eco systems. EU member states hesitating to invest into biodiversity put drinking water, clean air and fertile soil at risk. Promises made to save biodiversity need to be translated into concrete action, otherwise there will be no food security and no functioning economy. The biodiversity finance gap is the main obstacle on our way to food security, a functioning economy and prosperity. EU member states, companies, public and private sources need to fill the biodiversity finance gap. That's also what the new UN report on nature restoration states, which was published today. To achieve the 2030 goals, efforts need to be tripled.
“The science is clear, the targets are there. We need implementation and funding to stop biodiversity loss. The EU Member States must walk the talk and become active on pesticide reduction and nature restoration. Fossil fuel exporting countries' attacks on science are attacks against the very foundation of our own prosperity. First, countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia attacked clear scientific evidence for climate change and the need to significantly lower down CO2 emissions, now they go after biodiversity because they know that we must finally break free from our deadly dependence on coal, oil, and gas.”
Upcoming: UN Climate Conference COP31 in Antalya, Turkey, November 9-20, 2026
At the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Turkey, Greens/EFA MEPs Kai Tegethoff (Volt) and Pär Holmgren will participate as members of the European Parliament delegation; Greens/EFA MEPs Michael Bloss, Sara Matthieu and Ufuk Kâhya will also be in attendance.
