COP17 moves biodiversity agenda forward, but critical barriers to action remain

Yerevan, Armenia – COP17 charted a course for the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), but did not deliver a response matching the urgency outlined by the Global Report 1 . With only four years to 2030, the world is seriously off track to meet the KM-GBF targets. Critical barriers to make sufficient finance move in the right direction remain unresolved, while efforts to weaken explicit recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ rights raise serious concerns over respect for their rights, including their self-determination. Governments must translate their promises into concrete action at home, backed by sufficient finance, an end to incentives for nature destruction, and respect for Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ rights. COP17’s true legacy will ultimately be measured by progress on the ground. An Lambrechts, Biodiversity Politics Expert, Greenpeace International said: “COP17 has delivered steady progress rather than big headlines, and has kept things moving forward. But the pace and scale of action still fall short of what the biodiversity crisis demands. Political promises made in Yerevan set good intentions, but won’t remove major roadblocks to implementation such as insufficient finance, fiscal and debt constraints, the nearly empty coffers of the Cali Fund and urgent reform of harmful subsidies. The private sector must be held accountable too. Giant corporations did everything they could to keep the Cali Fund voluntary two years ago, and then did everything they could to stop the fund from working in Yerevan. It is unacceptable that big multinational corporations are turning massive profits from what they take from nature while contributing very little to its protection and leaving people across the world to face the impacts of the biodiversity crisis.” Bonaventure Bono, Forest and Biodiversity Campaigner, Greenpeace Africa said: “COP17 failed to recognise the right to self-determination of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, nor did it set out strong language on their rights. Governments cannot claim to be on track to achieve the 2030 biodiversity targets while diminishing the rights and contributions of those who protect nature. Creating institutional spaces for Indigenous Peoples and local communities is not enough. What matters is ensuring their genuine influence over its governance, their meaningful participation, equitable representation and ability to take decisions affecting their territories, rights and future. Those who protect biodiversity must not be denied the power to shape its future. Without their rights, leadership and self-determination, the 2030 targets will remain out of reach.” Camila Jardim, Political Expert, Greenpeace Brazil said: “COP17 sends an important signal for the protection of the world’s forests. The climate and biodiversity crises are twin emergencies requiring aligned responses – and forests are at the crossroads of those crises. Halting and reversing deforestation by 2030 is essential to limit global heating, build climate resilience, and protect high-integrity forests. 2030 is fast approaching and governments must accelerate progress towards climate and biodiversity targets to avoid surpassing non-negotiable limits. In this critical context, the upcoming launch of the 2030 Forest Roadmap right before COP31 offers a key opportunity to start solving fragmented forest governance. Operating at the intersection of climate and nature, this roadmap can generate the political momentum needed to enhance transparency, ensure inclusive participation – especially for Indigenous Peoples and local communities – and drive meaningful change.” Jehki Härkönen, Senior Policy Advisor, Greenpeace Nordic said: “The results of the CBD’s Global Review make clear that governments have made woefully slow progress in protecting the ocean, and that they need to urgently accelerate actions at home and on high seas to be on track to achieve the 2030 biodiversity targets. Today, only a tiny percentage of the ocean is fully protected from the enormous industrial fishing boats that take millions of tonnes of marine life from our ocean every single year. That’s why governments must use the first ocean COP in New York this January to turn commitments into concrete protection, creating large marine protected areas that are off limits to industrial fishing and other destructive activities. This is a critical opportunity to make up for lost time and give ocean life the space it needs to recover from decades of destruction.” ENDS Notes Global review of collective progress in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Photo and Video are available in the Greenpeace Media Library . Contacts: Diego Gonzaga, Communications Lead at CBD COP17, Greenpeace International, +1 415 527 9440, dgonzaga@greenpeace.org Jaqueline Sordi, Media Lead at CBD COP17, Greenpeace International, +55 51 99678 9048, jsordi@greenpeace.org Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0)20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org.