COP17 Biodiversity Summit concludes with warnings over implementation gaps

The COP17 Biodiversity Summit in Yerevan, Armenia, has concluded with significant concerns regarding the global capacity to meet 2030 nature protection targets. The environmental organization Ecologistas en Acción criticized the summit as a missed opportunity, alleging that Russia, with reported support from Saudi Arabia and Argentina, blocked key agreements. The group noted that geopolitical tensions hindered progress on financing, the removal of harmful subsidies, and the integration of biodiversity into economic policies.

WWF International highlighted a critical implementation gap, particularly concerning ocean conservation. While terrestrial protected areas are projected to reach 27% by 2030, declared ocean protection is currently at 10% and is expected to reach only 12% by the deadline. Pauli Merriman, senior director of Oceans at WWF International, emphasized that effective protection is lacking, noting that only 3.5% of the ocean is considered effectively protected.

Despite these challenges, the summit saw the approval of operating rules for a new body dedicated to indigenous peoples and local communities, which was cited as a primary success of the negotiations.