From 25 to 27 FebruaryRome becomes the nerve center of environmental diplomacy with The recovery of the COP16 on biodiversity. After the failure to agreement Loss Last November, the delegates meet again at the FAO headquarters to discuss two key issues: the financing of environmental protection and the definition of clear parameters to monitor global progress.
A summit suspended between hopes and fears
The goal of the COP16 is ambitious: Collect 200 billion dollars a year to protect biodiversity. However, the difficulties encountered in Cali remain current. Despite The Kunming-Montreal agreement of 2022 had established the need to stop the loss of biodiversity by 2030, the financing methods remain nebulous. To complicate the picture, The retreat of the United States by some international cooperation commitments Under the new Trump administration.
The economic promises made so far are not even remotely sufficient: in Cali, Just 163 million dollars had been collected against the 30 billion required for 2030. The COP16 of Rome therefore represents a last attempt to fill the financial gap and find concrete mechanisms for distribute and manage the funds intended for biodiversity.
The financial dilemma
One of the main critical points of the discussion concerns the distribution of costs. Low -income countries, Often custodians of the richest areas of biodiversitythey ask for more substantial contributions to developed countries and multinationals that profit from natural resources. On the contrary, Europe and other rich states believe that even emerging economies must do their part, contributing with adequate funding.
The solutions under discussion include the creation of a new biodiversity fund, or the strengthening of existing structures such as the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund managed by Gef. However, the developing countries, including Brazil and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, fear that centralized governance can limit their decision -making power over the use of funds.
Monitoring and transparency: the node of controls
In addition to funding, another crucial aspect is the definition of clear parameters to measure progress in the protection of biodiversity. To date, More than half of the signatory countries has not presented concrete plans for compliance with the “30 × 30” commitmentthat is to protect at least 30% of the earth and seas by 2030.
The lack of clarity in national commitments risks frustrating efforts. Without certain data on who is doing what, the entire system could collapse due to lack of responsibility. Some states, such as Norway and Indonesia, they oppose too stringent constraintsfearing repercussions on their strategic industries.
The European commitment for a global agreement
The European Union He wants to play a key role in the negotiations of Romewith the aim of overcoming the obstacles that remained unresolved in Cali. In a press release published on the eve of the Roman summit, the EU Commission explained that it aims to guarantee constant funding for biodiversity even after 2030, mobilizing resources from public and private sources. The European Commission has announced the doubling of international funding for biodiversity a 7 billion euros for the period 2021-2027with top initiatives such as Natural Africaa 1.4 billion euro program.
Another central point of the negotiations concerns the establishment of a solid monitoring framework for evaluate the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework. The EU supports the need for clear and transparent review mechanisms, to ensure that the commitments made by the countries do not remain only on paper.
Between Real Pilolitik and environmental needs: a fragile balance
The summit of Rome takes place in a complex geopolitical context, where economic and social crises undermine the political will to invest in biodiversity. The tensions between developed and developing countries remain high, and without a clear will of cooperation, the risk of a new failure is concrete. Oscar Soriawith the NGO The Common Initiativeunderlines the gravity of the moment: “This could be a historical moment, if we choose ambition. The question is: Will we be brave enough to act, or do we miss this opportunity?“.
With the approach of the Cop30 in Belémin Brazil, the success or failure of the COP16 will have decisive consequences on the credibility of the international community in the struggle for biodiversity.
Meanwhile, on February 24, the environmental organization Greenpeace Italy He wanted to send a message of protest, in front of the FAO headquarters, to the delegates of the governments which, until February 27, will meet at the summit organized by the United Nations. Six large domino cards from three to four meters high, depicting some living species, including human beings, and a banknote of US dollars, have been arranged in the lawn in front of the building and accompanied by some banners to request compliance with the financial commitments on the nature protection.
Among the messages in Italian exhibited by Greenpeace’s activists and activists: “If nature falls, the world falls” and “Keep the promises, save nature“.
