The UN’s Cop16 biodiversity summit ended with a long-awaited agreement on nature finance, but concerns remain over its effectiveness in halting biodiversity loss by 2030.

After intense negotiations in Rome, delegates celebrated a deal seen as a test of international cooperation amid geopolitical tensions. Cop16 president Susana Muhamad called it a "historic day," highlighting the first global plan for financing biodiversity conservation.

However, critical issues—including nature-harming subsidies and pollution reduction—remain unresolved. Scientists warn that urgent action is needed as a million species face extinction, and ecosystems continue to degrade.

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The deal outlines two key actions: securing additional billions for biodiversity funding and determining how to distribute the money. While developed nations committed $200 billion annually by 2030, only $10.95 billion had been provided as of 2022.

A contentious demand for a new fund led to a compromise—countries will decide its structure by 2028. Meanwhile, an “international dialogue” between finance and environment ministers aims to integrate biodiversity funding across sectors.

With five years left to reverse biodiversity loss, experts stress that delays could be disastrous. Critics argue that the agreement lacks ambition, with Bolivia’s negotiator warning: “Biodiversity cannot wait for a bureaucratic process that lasts forever.”

The deal also introduced the Cali Fund, designed to collect contributions from companies benefiting from nature’s genetic resources. However, no pledges were made at launch, raising doubts about its impact.

With Cop17 set for 2026, the world will be watching to see if countries can turn promises into action before time runs out.

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