{"id":18056,"date":"2026-11-03T20:22:58","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T20:22:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalgreens.org\/?post_type=news_statement&p=18056"},"modified":"2026-11-03T20:37:19","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T20:37:19","slug":"getting-biodiversity-protection-back-on-track-cop17-convention-on-biological-diversity","status":"publish","type":"news_statement","link":"https:\/\/globalgreens.org\/fre\/news_statement\/getting-biodiversity-protection-back-on-track-cop17-convention-on-biological-diversity\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Biodiversity Protection Back on Track – COP17 Convention on Biological Diversity"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP17 met from October 18-31, 2026 in Yerevan, under the theme of Taking Action for Nature<\/strong><\/em>. Decisions made at COP17 can help to get biodiversity protection back on track if meaningful and concrete action is taken and quickly. The meeting landmark was the review of the first Global stocktake on biodiversity ever undertaken, on the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), adopted at COP15 Montreal in 2022, where 23 targets were agreed by each of the 196 parties to CBD to be delivered by 2030. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

92% of countries forwarded national targets for the Global Review which highlighted that land restoration and land protected areas are nearly on track for the 2030 targets (if implemented) but that marine and freshwater protection is not, at only 12%. Key discussions with limited success centred around targets for reversal of harmful agriculture subsidies (target 18) and increasing financial mechanisms to (target 19). Harmful subsidies amount to over US$7trillion per year, if these activities are halted and the funds are invested into biodiversity protection measures then the 2030 targets could be on track. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Global Greens advocate for more ambitious measures, including a 50% target for area protection; in areas of high ecological value such as the Amazon up to 80% of area protection; and that large scale ecosystem disruption should be prohibited. Species extinction is catastrophic with monitored wildlife populations having declined by 73% in the past fifty years up to 2020. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At COP17 around 50 decisions were made including the <\/strong>Yerevan Pathway<\/strong><\/em> which identifies priorities to be accelerated to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. This includes tackling the nature-harmful subsidies and incentives; increasing financial, scientific and technical support for developing countries; and aligning national budgets and economic decisions with the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The aim is to bridge commitments with action on the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

COP17 saw the first meeting of Finance and Environment Ministers at a CBD, where overall US$ 1.8million in new commitments were made including pledges of US$60.22 million to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Joint Declaration on Rio Synergies was made, streamlining delivery of the three COPs across biodiversity (CBD), climate (UNFCCC), and land degradation (UNCCD). They each share common drivers and evidence underlines the need for synergistic action, recognising that biodiversity and ecosystems are both increasingly threatened by climate change and essential to mitigation and adaptation, while biodiversity provides essential carbon sinks for the Planet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The modus operandi was agreed for the permanent body for Indigenous people and local communities set up at COP16 in Colombia in 2024 (Article 8j). This recognises the role of indigenous peoples and local communities in environmental protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Biodiversity Gender action plan was reviewed which encourages governments to include gender specific indicators and data into national strategies and plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some specific decisions were made addressing the key drivers of biodiversity loss; industrial agriculture, in particular for livestock; climate change; pollution; and invasive alien species. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cali Fund established at COP16 in Colombia, has not yet been successful, and there is a call for funding to reach the people and places that need it the most. The companies that profit off nature, need to equitably share their benefits with the Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, who are the custodians of much of the biodiversity that their businesses rely upon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Links need to be made between the CBD marine targets of 30% protection in national waters with the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ), combining national and international marine reserves that prohibit industrial fisheries practices such as bottom trawling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Global Greens continue to stress the need to direct more finances towards biodiversity preservation and restoration, and for all CBD Parties to develop ambitious targets. We are dependent on biodiversity for food and water security, pollinators, health and well-being. At COP17 gains have been made. The issue is that biodiversity loss is happening at such an unprecedented level and the need is to accelerate the implementation of the CBD targets by 2030 requiring a massive shift, and fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

References:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CBD Global Review: https:\/\/www.cbd.int\/globalreview\/report2026<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GBF Targets: https:\/\/www.cbd.int\/gbf\/targets<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yerevan Pathway :https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2026\/11\/1168718<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n