Fundraising to protect oceans, forests and other key nature sites falling short ahead of UN summit

Fundraising aimed at protecting oceans, forests, rivers and other biodiversity hotspots is coming up short ahead of the UN biodiversity summit in Yerevan, Armenia. The nearly two-week COP17 conference runs from Monday until Oct. 30 and will review progress toward 23 global targets agreed under a 2022 Montreal deal. Nations pledged to protect 30% of land and water by 2030 (30x30), and to mobilize $200 billion a year by 2030, plus an additional $500 billion potential from reforming harmful subsidies. However, a UN progress report says fewer than half of targets are on track and current plans would protect only 26% of land and 12% of sea by 2030.