A lack of political interest, a multitude of sectors involved, countries accused of obstructing: the discussions ahead of COP15 biodiversity are following the classic process of international negotiations, but are also experiencing specific difficulties, note experts and observers.
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Since Tuesday and until Sunday evening, representatives of the 196 member countries of the Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD) of the UN are meeting in Nairobi.
Despite their hard work, it is clear on Saturday that progress remains meager.
Time is running out, as COP15, postponed several times, will be held in December in Montreal.
"
The negotiator in me says it's normal
" at this stage, but "
there are still huge points of divergence
", says a negotiator, laughing yellow.
CBD members, 195 states plus the European Union, but not the United States, must agree on a global framework to preserve nature by 2050, which some would like to be as important as the Paris agreement for the climate.
The CBD was born from the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992, like the UNCAC and the climate COPs, but does not benefit from the same political and media attention, observes Oscar Soria of the NGO Avaaz.
“
These subjects are not priorities in the political agendas of the States
”, confirms to AFP Aleksandar Rankovic, professor at Sciences Po Paris.
Many delegates present come from the Ministries of the Environment.
But "
there is a structural weakness of these ministries compared to other sectors
", agriculture, industry, finance... continues Aleksandar Rankovic.
“
Why is it complicated here?
Because at home, nobody cares
.
Some negotiators lack economic culture, while the issue of funding is crucial, also notes an observer.
"Dual Standard"
Protection and restoration of natural areas, agriculture, fishing, pollution, mining, sustainable production and consumption... CBD negotiations cover a multitude of sectors.
Impossible, as in the climate, to have a single objective - to limit global warming if possible to 1.5°C - and a sector in the front line, fossil fuels.
"
When it comes to dealing with biodiversity, it's extraordinarily complex
," says David Obura, a Kenyan coral researcher.
Representatives of indigenous peoples from several continents, whose lifestyles are more respectful of biodiversity, traveled to Nairobi to ensure that their voices were better heard.
In Nairobi, everyone is sticking to their positions and the will to reach a consensus is lacking.
To move forward, it would be necessary "
to free ourselves from binary confrontations on the models to follow and on the trajectories to take to transform our societies, especially the most impacting sectors such as agriculture
", according to Juliette Landry, researcher at the IDDRI think tank. .
“
Several models can in certain cases coexist
”, she judges.
China, which was to host COP15 and keeps the presidency, does not play the role of facilitator enough, believe several participants.
Brazil and Argentina are regularly cited in the corridors as filibustering on certain points to defend agribusiness.
“
Brazil behaves like a blocker in the negotiations, introducing last-minute proposals and weakening ambition
,” openly criticized Marco Lambertini, director general of WWF International.
Delegates from the South have a more measured view.
“
It's a very easy way to blame someone else
,” said one.
Developing countries, home to the richest biodiversity, need to develop economically, some argue.
Another speaks of a “
double standard
”, noting that the refusal of certain rich countries to consider the request of developing countries for annual financial aid of 100 and then 700 billion dollars per year is a powerful brake on the negotiations.
The European Union does not appear in a leading position in Nairobi, judge several observers.
Read alsoPesticides weaken biodiversity
Conversely, “
we are encouraged by countries like Nigeria, Colombia and Costa Rica that are showing leadership on critical issues like finance
,” notes Claire Blanchard of WWF International.
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