UN conference reaches agreement on international species protection

There were differences, among other things, over environmentally harmful subsidies such as those for fossil fuels, the financing of biodiversity, and corporate participation in funding environmental protection measures.

Key points of contention

Another unresolved issue was how the financing of species protection should be organized in the future. Delegations negotiated over which additional funds should be made available for the protection of species and ecosystems, and how these could be distributed.

The role of businesses was also at the center of the discussions. The negotiations addressed the question of the extent to which companies should contribute to funding environmental protection measures. Differing views on the form and scope of this participation made a common position more difficult.

With the agreement reached, the conference in Montreal resulted in a diplomatic success. The agreement shows that, despite differing priorities, member states were able to establish a common framework for international species protection.

Significance of the agreement

The significance of the agreement now also depends on its practical implementation. It remains to be seen how the agreed-upon measures will be implemented in individual states. Financing, the handling of environmentally harmful subsidies, and corporate participation are particularly decisive in this regard.

The process builds on the international agreements reached under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. As early as 2022, nearly 200 states had signed an agreement on protecting biodiversity. The latest conference addresses financing and financial obligations within the framework of this process.

The conference underscores the central role of international cooperation in species protection. Because species and ecosystems are affected across borders, effective protection measures cannot be implemented solely within a single state. The agreement in Montreal creates a new common framework for this purpose.