The performance to urge greater political and financial commitment from governments during the ongoing COP16 at the FAO
Marevivo also took part in the performance organised by the Climate Pride network in Piazzale Ugo La Malfa, calling for more ambitious political and financial commitments to protect biodiversity, alongside the second session of COP16 at the FAO headquarters in Rome. The demonstration, initiated by various environmental groups, highlighted the urgent need to respect planetary boundaries while promoting wellbeing, employment, and social inclusion for all.
Wearing masks representing different living species, a group of activists staged a symbolic performance, a kind of “Nature COP” featuring UN flags, to draw attention to key demands addressed to national representatives. This artistic action strongly underscored the call for concrete measures and increased public funding, particularly for Indigenous and local communities, in order to meet international environmental protection targets.
Fondazione Marevivo formally urged the Italian delegation at COP16 to commit to advancing scientific research on marine species.
On this occasion, the Climate Pride network, of which the Foundation is a member, reinforced demands already put forward by civil society organisations, calling on governments to cut at least $500 billion per year in harmful subsidies to biodiversity and to mobilise at least $200 billion annually for biodiversity protection by 2030.
In line with the EU’s Nature Restoration Law, which aims to restore at least 30% of degraded habitats by 2030, 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050, the Climate Pride network stressed the importance of ensuring that investments do not harm the environment, in accordance with the “Do No Significant Harm” (DNSH) principle.
It is also vital to acknowledge that global solutions for biodiversity protection cannot rely on approaches that ignore the necessary paradigm shift, one that places science at the heart of strategic decision-making. Scientific guidance, together with the involvement of local communities, must shape political choices, not the other way around.
Countries of the Global North, including Italy, must take greater responsibility for financing these measures and work in active partnership with the Global South, especially through cooperation with the African continent. To ensure accountability, a global system of indicators must be established to monitor progress and implementation of national biodiversity protection plans.
COP16 is a pivotal opportunity for change: it is time for governments to take real responsibility for protecting biodiversity through concrete action and adequate investment.
