Representatives from 185 countries agreed to launch a new global conservation fund, at the Global Environment Facility meeting in Vancouver.
Excerpt from this story from EcoWatch:
In a meeting of the Global Environment Facility (GEF)’s Seventh Assembly in Vancouver, Canada on Thursday, representatives from 185 countries agreed to launch a new global conservation fund, with Canada pledging 200 million Canadian dollars and the United Kingdom contributing 10 million pounds.
The United Nations is seeking contributions for the protection of 30 percent of terrestrial and coastal areas by 2030.
“The new Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) has been designed to mobilize and accelerate investment in the conservation and sustainability of wild species and ecosystems, whose health is under threat from wildfires, flooding, extreme weather, and human activity including urban sprawl,” a press release from the Global Environment Facility said.
The GBFF is seeking monetary support from governments, philanthropic donations and the private sector.
As a trustee of the World Bank, the GBFF has not yet raised the $200 million it needs to get up and running by the end of the year, reported Reuters.
“The time for half-measures has passed,” said Oscar Soria, director of global activist nonprofit Avaaz. “Surely donors can come up with the paltry $40 million” still needed, as Reuters reported.
The GEF Assembly was attended by 1,500 people, including representatives of government, academia and business, Indigenous Peoples and environmental leaders.
