Wealthy Nations Urged to Contribute

A new international nature fund set up under the Global Environment Facility aims to help developing countries meet the biodiversity targets agreed at the COP15 summit in Montreal. The fund’s creation was one of the most-contentious issues at those talks, prompting walkouts and repeated negotiations between wealthy and poorer nations. So far, only Canada and the United Kingdom have pledged money, leaving roughly $40 million still needed to capitalise the fund ahead of COP16 next year.

Organisers say the fund will pay for conservation projects, technical support and capacity-building to help poorer countries implement measures that protect species and ecosystems. Campaigners and negotiators warn that without the missing contributions the fund could struggle to deliver on promises from Montreal, potentially delaying or reducing planned programmes. Countries such as Japan, the United States and EU member states are being urged to contribute before COP16 to restore trust and meet timelines.