Nature is declining at an unprecedented rate, threatening the ecosystems that support food production, water security, and livelihoods worldwide. As the world convenes in Yerevan, Armenia, for the Seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17), the urgency of biodiversity action has never been clearer. WWF’s Living Planet Report 2026 reports a 73% decline in the average size of monitored wildlife populations over a 52-year period.

With only four years remaining to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, the international community must take a closer look at how its programmes and financing can support governments to accelerate progress. Taking decisive action, together, is critical.

Under the theme “Taking action for nature,” CBD COP17 theme will bring these challenges into focus. From 19 to 30 October, delegates will undertake the first global review of progress in delivering on the 23 global targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

During the conference, we’ll be working alongside partners to share evidence, home-grown knowledge, and practical lessons on how integrated approaches can support economic progress while conserving biological diversity, ensuring its sustainable use, and sharing benefits fairly.

Habitat destruction is the leading driver of biodiversity loss, largely due to land-use change. Financial flows also reveal the scale of the challenge: a UNEP 2026 report, using 2023 spending data, found that roughly US$30 in spending supported activities that directly harmed nature for every US$1 invested in nature-based solutions.

At CBD COP17, our delegates will discuss how to address these challenges, examining the connections among biodiversity conservation, regenerative agriculture, and economic opportunity. 

For colleagues and partners looking to learn more, we have brought together resources from SNV and partners on connecting biodiversity goals with policy, practice, and investment. This compilation offers practical insights into integrated landscape management, regenerative agriculture, and financing for development that is impactful. 

How healthy soil aligns the Rio conventions and global agendas (Coalition of Action for Soil Health, CA4SH, 2026): Reviews the key policy mechanisms under the three Rio Conventions (UNCCD, UNCBD, and UNFCCC) and identifies opportunities to integrate soil health into national implementation, monitoring, and reporting processes. 

Thriving and sustainable economies through integrated landscape strategies: A vision for public policymakers (GALLOP Initiative and 1000 Landscapes for 1 Billion People, 2026): Makes the case for integrated landscape management as a practical way to align local priorities, government policy, public and private finance, and environmental action in support of resilient economies and climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development goals. Executive summary here.

Building the impact capital continuum: Being more catalytic in a changing ODA landscape (SNV, 2025). Examines why promising businesses can become stuck between grants and commercial investment, and how connecting catalytic grants, blended finance, and impact investment more deliberately can help them cross the “missing middle” and grow sustainably. 

Transforming agri-food systems through regenerative agriculture: Position paper (SNV, 2024): Explains how regenerative agriculture can restore ecosystem health, strengthen resilience, and improve farmer livelihoods by focusing on soil health, biodiversity, water management, renewable energy, and efficient use of resources.

Once-in-a-generation chance to turn the tide on global grassland loss: A policy agenda for UNCCD COP17 (WWF-Germany, 2026): Sets out a policy agenda for the UNCCD to halt and reverse global grassland loss through stronger protection, sustainable management, and restoration.

Explore how our projects and partnerships are contributing to the objectives of the KMGBF. 

• Climate resilient landscapes (Africa): A portfolio of SNV projects in Africa that apply an integrated landscape approach to balance competing land-use objectives and strengthen coordination across sectors. 
• Climate resilient landscapes (Asia): A portfolio of SNV projects in Asia that apply an integrated landscape approach to balance competing land-use objectives and and strengthen coordination across sectors. 
• Investing in nature: A brief outlining how SNV works through the DFCD Origination Facility, with nature as a key component of climate resilience and food security.
• Inclusive pastoralism: A capability statement detailing how SNV supports pastoralists and agro-pastoralists with the tools, knowledge, and partnerships to build resilient, sustainable livelihoods.