Press Release
Developed countries must increase contributions to achieve at least $20 billion per year biodiversity target
New data shows most developed countries did not contribute their fair share of biodiversity finance in 2022.
To meet at least $20 billion by 2025, developed countries need to maintain or in many cases, increase their biodiversity finance
Data draws COP16 priorities into focus; transparent plan to deliver on the commitment by developed countries would be a ‘valuable outcome’ in Colombia
NEW data finds over half of all countries signed up to commit at least $20 billion (£15.6 billion) a year in international biodiversity finance are providing less than 50% of their ‘fair share’. ODI’s ‘fair share’ methodology was the first study to measure how much each individual developed country should be providing to developing countries in order to keep the commitment they made in the landmark 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Our new findings draw upon the OECD’s latest annual report, issued in September. The next edition of this series will be out in early 2025.
The report, commissioned by the Campaign for Nature, finds that only three countries met or exceeded their ‘fair share’ in 2022. Norway, Sweden, and Germany all contributed 176%, 147%, and 114%, respectively. Over half of all countries committed to the pledge provided less than 50% of their ‘fair share’.
Japan is the worst performer in absolute terms, falling short of its fair share by $2.4 billion. Among countries with the largest fair shares, it is also the worst performer in relative terms. Japan will need to at least triple its biodiversity finance to provide its fair share by 2025. The UK and Italy both fall short by in excess of $1 billion, while Canada is responsible for $850 million of the biodiversity finance gap. Spain is also amongst the laggards, falling short of it’s ‘fair share’ by $760 million. This means that for developed Parties to fulfil their “at least $20 billion” commitment by 2025, they will need to have increased their contributions by an average rate of 22% annually in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
However, with numerous examples of overall budget cuts across key donor governments - for example, the development budget in Germany is set to be down 26% in 2025 compared to 2022 and France cut its development budget by 24% for 2025 and 13% in 2024 - there is concern that there will be a decline in international biodiversity funding by the 2025 deadline of Target 19(a) unless contributions from other countries and other sources make up the shortfalls from these top biodiversity funders
These updated ‘fairshare’ figures bring priorities for COP16 into sharp focus. A delivery plan for the annual $20 billion by 2025 commitment would refocus efforts to achieve the target and provide critical finance to restore and protect international biodiversity. A ‘Biodiversity Finance Delivery Plan’ would document developed country Parties’ individual commitments to 2025 and 2030. This plan could encourage those falling short of their fair share to step up and meet their obligations and address the significant cuts to the budgets of some of the major donors like Germany, France, the US, Japan, and many EU institutions, who provide 73% of all biodiversity-related funding.
Laetitia Pettinotti, Research Fellow and lead author said:
“This new data should spur a conversation around a delivery plan for the annual $20 billion by 2025 target. There is an equivalent in climate finance, designed ahead of COP26 to catalyse further contributions, and there’s no reason why the same can’t be applied to this goal. Every year beyond the deadline is another year of deteriorating ecosystem services and declining biodiversity. These aren’t just numbers; this target matters to us all.”
Brian O’Donnell, Director of Campaign for Nature said:
“It is good to see that wealthy nations increased their international finance for biodiversity in the lead-up to COP15. Now, they must further prioritize this work to ensure that the commitment they made to increase nature finance to at least $20b by 2025 is met. As this report shows, not all countries are contributing at the levels they should be to meet the target. Countries should reflect on the report and adjust their budgets to contribute at a level commensurate with their capacity and their responsibility.
Without adequate finance, the targets to protect and restore nature and the goal to halt and reverse biodiversity loss won't be achieved. Finance is the essential ingredient to a successful COP16. Finance is critical to support Indigenous peoples and local communities, the frontline guardians of nature. Finance is needed to avert the extinction of species and the degradation of natural systems that we all depend on.”
You can find the full update here.
- ENDS –
For further media enquiries contact:
Katy Roxburgh – Director of Communications at Campaign for Nature
Oliver Moyles – Senior Communications Officer at ODI
Notes to the Editor
Following the release of the OECD’s annual report in September 2024, Campaign for Nature issued the following statement and analysis of the report to highlight encouraging trends, areas of concern, and recommendations for moving forward. This can be found here.
What do we mean by “fair share”?
ODI assesses each developed country’s fair share of the annual $20 billion by 2025 commitment (noting that this is a minimum target) based on each country’s historic responsibility for biodiversity depletion measured by ecological footprint over the past 60 years, capacity to pay, measured by gross national income, and population. The analysis then examines each developed country’s progress towards their fair share of biodiversity finance provision in 2022, the most recent year for which OECD DAC (OECD Development Assistance Committee) data is available, which provides a baseline to benchmark developed countries’ progress as they approach the target’s first delivery date in 2025.
About ODI
Formerly the Overseas Development Institute, ODI is an independent and internationally recognised think tank, producing thoughtful insights and actionable ideas to help solve the world’s most pressing challenges. It is a trusted partner to many governments and global organisations and convenes an extensive global network. Its team of more than 200 staff carries out world-leading work spanning a portfolio of the hardest and most pressing challenges for people and the planet. It puts the principles of equity, inclusive growth, social justice and sustainability at the heart of what it does.
About Campaign for Nature
Campaign for Nature is a not-for-profit organisation whose aim is to support the successful implementation of the ambitious global goal to protect 30% of the world's land and sea by 2030 and ensure that biodiversity conservation is conducted in a way that fully integrates and respects Indigenous peoples’ rights and leadership. They are also focused on helping mobilise financial resources to ensure protected areas are properly managed in perpetuity.