As the resumed UN biodiversity conference (COP16.2) in Rome drew to a close tonight, WWF applauds the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as the COP16 Presidency, for delivering a hard-fought resolution this week on biodiversity finance.

Global leaders and biodiversity experts have reconvened in Rome for the continuation of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), with financing nature conservation high on the agenda.

More than 140 countries at the Cop16 agree on a financing plan to help reverse dramatic losses in biodiversity.

Nations have come to a compromise over plans to raise and deliver billions in funding for biodiversity protection, paving the way for action to counter the growing problem of species loss.

WWF warns that if countries heading to Rome for the resumed UN biodiversity conference (COP16.2) cannot agree on a way forward on finance, it will be a major setback for the Global Biodiversity Framework, with critical fundraising efforts hampered to implement the targets – just five years away from the deadline.

Rich and poor countries are battling over who will fund nature conservation in the shadow of a radically anti-green U.S. administration.

The UK has belatedly published its plan for how it will “halt and reverse” biodiversity loss this decade, as nations gather in Rome for resumed COP16 talks.