At the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, eight governments pledged an additional $163 million to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF). This funding, from Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Québec, will support countries and communities working to conserve and restore ecosystems and protect biodiversity for the long term.
The GBFF was established to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to accelerate global biodiversity conservation efforts. The pledges made at COP16 bring the total number of contributors to 12, including Canada, Japan, Luxembourg, and Spain, further expanding the reach of the fund’s support.
Québec’s pledge is particularly notable as the first contribution from a sub-national government. This marks a significant milestone for the GBFF, reflecting the growing recognition of the need for a global, collective effort to conserve biodiversity. The new contributions will strengthen efforts in vulnerable regions and help countries meet the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework.
The fund has already been instrumental in supporting projects in Brazil, Gabon, and Mexico, with 24 developing countries benefiting from its resources, including Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries. In addition to providing financial support, the GBFF aims to ensure that 20% of its funding goes to initiatives led by Indigenous Peoples and local communities, who play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation.
As the GBFF continues to expand, these new pledges signal strong global support for biodiversity conservation. They underscore the importance of financial commitments in achieving the ambitious goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and provide hope for the future of the world’s ecosystems.
Featured image: Leonel Lisa / Unsplash
