• $200B Negotiations: Global leaders gather in Rome aiming to secure $200 billion per year for biodiversity protection.
• Cali Fund Launched: Last October’s meeting in Cali birthed a fund from companies profiting from nature’s genetic data—but pledges fell drastically short.
• Funding & Accountability Debates: Talks center on who should pay, managing funds, and redirecting $500 billion in harmful subsidies.

Global Biodiversity at Risk

Countries are meeting in Rome to advance a $200 billion annual nature finance deal. The initiative builds on last year’s Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, aimed at stopping nature loss by 2030. The urgency is underscored by WWF’s report: vertebrate wildlife populations have plummeted 73% since 1970.

Lessons from Cali

In Cali, negotiations led to the creation of the “Cali Fund,” designed to tap companies benefiting from nature’s genetic data. However, pledges totaled just $163 million—far from the $30 billion per year target set for the decade’s end.

Related Article: Ørsted To Issue €100 Million Blue Bond To Support Biodiversity

U.S. Policy Shift Impact

The United States, stepping back from formal engagement due to policy changes initiated under Donald Trump, has added pressure on the talks. This shift casts doubt on global willingness to fund nature-friendly policies.

Call for Ambition

Oscar Soria, co-CEO of The Common Initiative, encapsulated the moment:

“This could be a historic moment, if they choose ambition,” he said. “The question is whether they will fight for the future like gladiators or let this opportunity slip away.”

New Funding Frontiers

With grants dwindling amid global economic pressures, negotiators are exploring alternative funding:

• Development bank lending
• Domestic resources
• Private sector investment
  Plus, discussions include diverting an estimated $500 billion per year from subsidies that harm nature into conservation efforts.

Managing the Money

Debate continues over fund management. Europe favors using the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to run the contributions, while nations such as Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo push for a new, more inclusive system.

Looking Ahead

While major public finance pledges are not expected at this Rome meeting, the formal launch of the Cali Fund is on the agenda. Observers are calling for greater transparency regarding contributions as countries navigate the complexities of funding global biodiversity.

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