In October nearly 200 countries gathered at the UN nature conference, COP17, in Yerevan, Armenia.  

In 2022 these countries adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), with 23 shared Targets to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030.  

Four years on, COP17 marked the halfway point to 2030, and was the moment to review progress towards the Targets, take stock and negotiate a pathway forward.  
 

Overall the message on progress is worrying

Whilst the UK is on track to meet just three of the 23 KM-GBF Targets, globally this number falls to just one. Against the backdrop of climate change driving ever more extreme weather, and the growing evidence of the necessity of nature for the resilience of our communities, economies and wildlife - these delays have real consequences. 

What happened at COP17

On a strong response

Countries adopted the text on the global review of collective progress towards KM-GBF implementation, noting the finding of significant delays with “deep concern”, calling for accelerated implementation and increased ambition, and laying out the Yerevan Pathway of priorities going forward. While some language was weakened, the message is clear: what matters next is the changes countries make back at home, to speed up and get back on track. However, accelerated implementation and increased ambition, also depend heavily on the next point…. 
 

On financing nature recovery

COP17 was a platform for some significant new funding commitments, with announcements totalling nearly $2 billion. It was inspiring to see the momentum behind funding for tropical forests through the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, with the Netherlands adding to earlier commitments, including from the UK. 

There were also loud cheers for Brazil, where the re-election of Lula the day before was a vital win for the Amazon, and therefore the world. Still, finance commitments for nature fall far too short, with many calling out the reality gap between ambition and resources to act.   

We did see important shifts, however. Perhaps the most startling nature finance fact, is that globally, for every $1 spent to protect and restore nature, about $30 is spent on subsidies and investments that continue to harm it. 

GBF Target 18 is all about redirecting that tidal wave of nature-negative finance - to shift the balance of finance flows in favour of nature recovery, and resilient economies and communities. This is one of trickiest targets for countries to tackle, and highly sensitive, but for the first time it was a major focus of discussions within the negotiations and outside.
 

On joined up action on nature and climate

With nature deeply impacted by a changing climate, but also vital to reducing its effects and building resilience to it, many environmental NGOs were paying close attention to discussions on strengthening coordination and action on these issues within the UN system and within countries. 

New text was adopted at COP17, which maintained recognition of this critical issue but lost language that would have given it greater strength and moved the agenda significantly forward.   

As for many aspects of the discussions, the increasing complexity of the world and its geopolitics loomed large. Importantly, COPs are also a platform for groups of countries to collaborate outside the negotiations – creating ‘coalitions of the willing’ to go faster on key issues. As COP17 drew to a close, the Presidencies (country coordinators) of the three ‘Rio Conventions’, on biodiversity, climate change and combatting desertification, released a joint declaration on speeding up action for nature through effective use of the links between these Conventions. Eyes now turn to the climate negotiations, starting in Türkiye next week, to build on this momentum.  
 

On the whole of society

Beyond the urgency to accelerate nature recovery, one message that shone through throughout COP17 is that while the negotiations are challenging and slow, the real work of implementation is in on the ground. It is here where inspiring examples of progress and leadership shine through, and support must continue to be focussed. 

From sub-national governments and businesses building their strategies for water security on nature recovery, to the critical role of devolved governments, such as Wales and Scotland in driving ambition tailored to place; to the work of Indigenous peoples, local communities, women, young people, farmers, fishers and NGOs who are cracking on with action, on land and in the ocean. 

The announcement of The Wildlife Trusts’ purchase of The Rothbury Estate, on the last full day of COP17 was one such beacon of hope. It marks the beginning of a journey to protect and restore 3,800 hectares of precious habitat for nature, climate and people, blending nature with regenerative agriculture and forming part of a 40-mile corridor of thriving ecosystems across Northumberland. 
 

Nature is necessary

Finally, the message that nature is a necessity seems to be landing – and that is changing the conversation. Fixing nature is not ‘just’ an environmental issue. It is about food security, water security, the stability of our supply chains and economies at large, our health and wellbeing. 

In our connected world, it is also not an issue we can solve alone. The UK Government’s study into the links between ecosystems and national security is making waves internationally. The Wildlife Trusts will continue to work to ensure this clarity from Government translates into joined-up and accelerated action on nature recovery across the UK, and beyond – and playing our own part in that mission. 

Reflections from The Wildlife Trusts' delegation