UN Chief Urges Faster Action and Increased Financing to Address Global Biodiversity Loss

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on governments, businesses, and communities on Friday to accelerate efforts and funding to halt biodiversity loss. Speaking at the Leaders’ Summit in Yerevan, Armenia, ahead of next week's COP17 UN biodiversity conference, Guterres warned that global efforts to preserve natural ecosystems are lagging behind agreed targets.

According to the UN chief, drivers such as climate disruption, overgrazing, and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides are fueling pollution, biodiversity decline, and climate change, leaving more than one million species at risk of extinction.

Guterres stated that while the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework has motivated action—with roughly 90 percent of parties establishing national targets and more protected areas established since 2022—current trajectories remain insufficient. He noted that existing commitments would protect only 26 percent of terrestrial and 12 percent of marine ecosystems by 2030, falling short of the global framework's "30 by 30" target to conserve 30 percent of the planet's land and sea.

A significant deficit in financial resources was also highlighted. Guterres said current biodiversity financing stands at less than half of the $200 billion target established under the framework. In contrast, he stated that $7.3 trillion flowed into environmentally harmful industries in 2023, with $30 spent on activities damaging nature for every single dollar invested in its protection.

To meet global climate, biodiversity, and land-restoration goals, Guterres stated that annual investments in nature-based solutions must reach $571 billion by 2030, roughly 0.5 percent of global gross domestic product. He urged governments to end subsidies for destructive industries, implement circular economy practices, and strengthen law enforcement, welcoming the adoption of the Yerevan Declaration at the summit.

Additionally, the Secretary-General appealed for greater involvement from the private sector and highlighted mechanisms such as the UN-backed Cali Fund. He also stressed the importance of supporting developing nations burdened by debt, ensuring broad participation from Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women, and youth to address global environmental decline.

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