#armenia

What happened: The UN Biodiversity Conference (COP17) in Yerevan closed on Oct. 31 with about 50 decisions. The main one, the Yerevan Pathway, responds to a UN review finding the world off track on its 2030 nature targets: it asks countries to revise their plans, subject to available funding, with a focus on marine, coastal and inland waters. The CBD says nearly $2 billion in new funding was announced, and Climate Home reports that, for the first time, emerging economies such as China and Gulf states were invited to volunteer as donors.

Why it matters: At current national goals, about 26% of land and 12% of seas would be protected by 2030, short of the 30% target, Climate Home reports.

How much agreement is there? Some disagreement. The COP17 president said the summit achieved more than expected; Steven Guilbeault said it 'falls short' of 2030 commitments, and Greenpeace and WWF said finance remains unresolved.

Could someone help? More than 60 countries still lack a national biodiversity plan; citizens can press their own government on its plan and on subsidies that harm nature.

What happened: COP17, the UN Biodiversity Conference, opened in Yerevan, Armenia, on Oct. 19 and runs until Oct. 30. It is the first global review of the 2022 Kunming-Montreal framework, the plan 196 countries signed to halt nature loss. The best-known goal is "30 by 30," protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030. Countries will present national reports, and the talks will cover how to close the gap between plans and action, and the money to do it.

Why it matters: UN biodiversity chief Astrid Schomaker says billions of people's lives are being upended by biodiversity loss and that "taking action for nature does work."

How much agreement is there? Some disagreement about how to count progress. A report by Earth Insight and partners, released Oct. 8, found more than 61.5 million hectares of protected areas in tropical countries overlap with oil and gas blocks, and 42.7 million with mining concessions. The authors argue that adding protected area isn't enough if it isn't enforced, and they call for stronger Indigenous land rights.

Could someone help? Schomaker asked for more involvement from Indigenous peoples, local communities, women and youth. Youth delegations and local conservation groups are one way in.