The United Nations’ annual biodiversity summit has resumed in Rome this week, following the time constraints that marred last year’s COP16 talks in Colombia. This two-day gathering is focused on a crucial issue: how to secure the funding necessary to protect our rapidly declining natural world.

With global wildlife populations having plummeted by an alarming 73 per cent over the past 50 years, as reported by the WWF and the Zoological Society of London, the urgency of these discussions has reached critical levels.

Last year’s talks saw some notable progress, including a landmark agreement requiring companies that profit from genetic resources—such as medicines derived from rainforest plants—to share the benefits. Additionally, significant steps were taken to amplify the voices of Indigenous peoples and local communities in conservation efforts.

However, time constraints meant that decisions could not be made regarding the management and distribution of existing financial commitments. More pressing still, no agreements were reached on how to secure the additional billions needed to curb the ongoing biodiversity crisis. The primary focus now will be on creating a “global financing instrument for biodiversity,” which aims to ensure that funds are allocated effectively and reach the areas that need them most.

At last year’s talks in Cali, developing nations, particularly the Africa Group and Brazil, raised concerns over the current system for distributing biodiversity funding. They argue that the existing fund, which operates under the Global Environment Facility (GEF)—the UN’s main financial mechanism for biodiversity—is too complex to navigate and is largely controlled by wealthier nations. These countries are calling for a new mechanism to ensure more equitable access to funding, one that prioritises the needs of the most vulnerable regions.

Concerns over attendance at the Rome meeting

The Rome gathering is an additional, smaller COP16 session, meaning it was not originally factored into many countries’ annual budgets. As a result, there have been concerns about whether the meeting would reach the necessary quorum — around two-thirds of the 196 participating countries — needed to make its decisions valid. Some nations have opted to send diplomats already based in Rome rather than full delegations.

Despite these challenges, sources indicate that more than 150 countries have now registered, ensuring that the discussions on biodiversity financing can move forward.

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Why biodiversity matters for business and net zero

Biodiversity is often overlooked in business sustainability plans, yet it plays a crucial role in meeting climate and net zero goals. Healthy ecosystems, from forests to oceans, act as natural carbon sinks, helping to absorb greenhouse gas emissions. Businesses reliant on agriculture, forestry, and fisheries depend on biodiversity for raw materials, making its loss a direct threat to supply chains and long-term profitability.

Financial institutions and corporations are increasingly being called on to account for biodiversity impacts, with frameworks like the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) pushing for more transparency. The Rome summit will likely reinforce the link between biodiversity and climate action, urging businesses to integrate nature-positive strategies alongside their carbon reduction efforts.

Watch our interview with the Institute of Directors’ Chief Economist Kitty Ussher, as she discusses ways the UK government can advance sustainability in the business sector.

 

Facts and stats on the state of biodiversity in 2025

  • Wildlife population decline: Since 1970, monitored vertebrate populations have declined by an average of 73%, indicating a significant loss in biodiversity.

  • Species at risk: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies 26% of mammals, 41% of amphibians, 21% of reptiles, 13% of birds, 37% of sharks and rays, 33% of reef corals, and 34% of conifers as at risk of extinction.

  • Pollinator dependence: Over 75% of global food crops rely on pollinators, contributing between $235 billion and $577 billion annually to global agricultural output.

  • Medicinal sources: More than 50% of modern medicines are derived from natural sources, including antibiotics from fungi and painkillers from plant compounds.

  • Forest biodiversity: Forests store 80% of terrestrial biodiversity and absorb approximately 2.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, playing a crucial role in climate change mitigation.

  • Conservation funding disparity: A comprehensive 25-year study revealed that 82.9% of global conservation funds are allocated to vertebrates, with birds and mammals receiving 85% of these resources, while plants and invertebrates receive only 6.6% each.

  • Financial commitment shortfall: Despite commitments, only $383 million of the targeted $20 billion by 2025 has been pledged for biodiversity conservation, highlighting a significant funding gap.