Conservation funding from CBD COP15 and COP16

Abstract

Science shows decline in biodiversity, economics shows its value, but conservation failures are political. CBD COP15 in Oct 2022 promised US$700B p.a. in new conservation funding, via the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework. As of 02 Nov 2024, post CBD COP16, all new plus existing funds total only 3.5% of the international target, and 3–6% of the domestic target. The multilateral funding institutions exist, but the developed, newly-industrialised, and developing economic blocs have conflicting interpretations of KMGBF. To overcome this impasse, conservation scientists, NGOs, and parks agencies could combine conservation projects into multi-billion-dollar regional investment bundles, to be managed by reliable conservation NGOs, and package them for the World Bank Global Biodiversity Framework Fund, GBFF. If donor nations can see what they paying for and how it will be delivered, they are more likely to contribute, especially if projects include tourism and health components to provide ongoing conservation funding.