Cop16 ends in disarray and indecision despite biodiversity breakthroughs

Conservation summit agrees global levy on drugs from nature's genetics and stronger indigenous representation, but developing nations furious at unmet funding promises

A global summit on halting the destruction of nature ended in disarray on Saturday, with some breakthroughs but key issues left unresolved.

Governments have been meeting in Cali, Colombia, for the first time since a 2022 deal to stop the human-caused destruction of life on Earth. Countries hoped to make progress during the two-week summit on crucial targets such as protecting 30% of the Earth for nature and reforming parts of the global financial system that damage the environment.