Diplomats at the UN biodiversity summit in Yerevan, Armenia, have accused Argentina, Russia and Saudi Arabia, and to a lesser degree Brazil, of trying to water down the science behind global nature policy, the Buenos Aires Times reports, citing AFP.
The dispute at the COP17 talks concerns two reports by IPBES, the UN-backed science panel on biodiversity, which examine links between nature loss, climate change and the economic forces behind both. Nearly 200 countries are negotiating how the findings should shape international action. A French delegate compared the situation to recent rows at the UN climate science panel, and another negotiator described a clear alliance between the four countries.
Academics and civil society groups at the summit issued a joint statement of concern. The allegations came a day after Argentina voted against a UN resolution condemning the US embargo on Cuba.
Source: Buenos Aires Times
