# Europe Can't Lead on Nature at COP17 While Cutting Biodiversity Cash

> EU faces biodiversity leadership crisis as it cuts home funding despite global climate commitments.
- Title: Europe Can't Lead on Nature at COP17 While Cutting…
- Summary: EU faces biodiversity leadership crisis as it cuts home funding despite global climate commitments. The EU must increase biodiversity funding and implement…
- Keywords: cop17, biodiversity, nature restoration regulation, natura 2000, birds and habitats directives, kunming-montreal framework, cali fund, biodiversity funding, climate adaptation, politics, world, Europe
- Source: EUobserver — https://euobserver.com/242632/europe-cant-lead-on-nature-at-cop17-while-cutting-biodiversity-cash-at-home
- Published: 2026-10-18T09:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: eu, cop17, biodiversity, nature restoration regulation, natura 2000, birds and habitats directives, kunming-montreal framework, cali fund, biodiversity funding, climate adaptation, politics, world
## EU Biodiversity Leadership
The EU has been a global leader in biodiversity protection through legal frameworks like Natura 2000 and the Nature Restoration Regulation.
## Global Biodiversity Framework
The EU co-led the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at COP15 in December 2022 to halt biodiversity loss by 2030.
## COP17 Review
COP17 will take place in Yerevan from 19-30 October to review progress on the Global Biodiversity Framework since its adoption.
## Mixed EU Performance
The EU's implementation report shows only two of 45 targets achieved, 16 on track, while 25 progress remains too slow and two cannot be assessed.
## Implementation Challenges
The EU needs better implementation of existing laws, including the Nature Restoration Regulation, to create visible improvements in biodiversity.
## Missed Deadlines
Only nine EU countries submitted draft national restoration plans by the September 1 deadline, delaying cost calculations for nature restoration.
## Funding Gaps
The EU lacks a complete assessment of restoration funding needs despite negotiations on the 2028-2034 financial framework moving forward.
## Five EU Priorities
The EU must mobilize more biodiversity funding, consolidate the Cali Fund, eliminate harmful subsidies, measure concrete results, and strengthen nature's role in climate adaptation.
## Budget Contradiction
The EU proposal for the 2028-2034 budget removes the specific 10 percent biodiversity target from the current budget and no longer presents LIFE as a standalone program.
## COP17 Consequence
The EU must increase biodiversity funding and implement existing laws to meet global climate targets at COP17.
## Key takeaway

The EU must increase biodiversity funding and implement existing laws to meet global climate targets at COP17.