Montreal: At UN talks in Montreal on a "peace deal with nature", the intriguing question of how much wealth-rich nations are willing to contribute to protect the planet's remaining biodiversity took center stage on Wednesday.
The fate of the planet and our ability to prevent habitat loss, pollution and the climate crisis, which are causing the sixth mass extinction of plant and animal species, are at risk.
Tuesday's talks lasted late into the night, but according to UN spokesman David Ainsworth, "the atmosphere soured when the group began to discuss concepts, in particular the Global Biodiversity Fund (GBF) proposal," which could lead to developing countries Had to leave
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Low-income countries are looking to the GBF, a new financial instrument, to help them create marine or land protected areas and carry out biodiversity action plans.
After China, the president hosted an hour-long meeting of heads of delegations on Wednesday, appearing to resolve a long pause in technical discussions on other issues, although the finance issue is still unresolved.
Brazil said in a statement that most of the world's biological diversity is found on its soil and that current financial systems are insufficient for this task.
Brazil said the new fund should provide $100 billion annually through 2030, or 1% of the world's GDP, speaking on behalf of the African group and other developing countries.
Currently, there is believed to be a financial flow of $10 billion each year from the global north to south.
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Wealthy nations claim that they would prefer to reform the current financial system and increase wealth from the private sector. The dialogue deteriorated just before the high-level phase of the talks, involving environment ministers from the 196 member states, at a Montreal summit, known as COP15, which began on December 7 and is scheduled to run until December 19.
Last night's walkout serves as a sign of a turning point in the talks, according to Masha Kalinina of The Pew Charitable Trusts, who spoke to AFP.
It brings important attention to this dialogue, especially because the leaders are arriving today and we look forward to their arrival tomorrow.
Innocent Maloba of WWF International said, “Developed countries have a duty to support developing countries in the conservation and protection of biodiversity, which we all count on. in the form of.
There are more than 20 goals, including a cornerstone commitment to protecting 30% of the world's land and oceans by 2030, ending harmful subsidies to agriculture and fishing, combating invasive species, and reducing pesticide use.
Science shows that time is limited. A million species are believed to be at risk of extinction, a third of the planet's land area is being degraded, soil productivity is declining, and marine ecosystems are being destroyed by pollution and the climate crisis.
The summit, however, has not been as well publicized as the United Nations Climate Summit which was held in November in Egypt and featured over a hundred world leaders.
China, which declined to host due to its stringent Covid rules, is chairing the meeting despite being based in Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is the sole head of state.
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Hollywood actor and activist James Cromwell criticized French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron for choosing to watch the soccer World Cup semi-finals in Qatar instead of attending the COP during a press conference specially organized by non-profit Voices.
He said, "It is sad that an actor has to come here and discuss issues. Don't you have any shame?"