The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will take place in Cali, Colombia from October 21 to November 1, 2024. This global event brings together world leaders and environmental experts to address the pressing challenges of biodiversity loss and advance the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The conference comes at a critical time, as the world grapples with the alarming rate of biodiversity decline, impacting ecosystems, economies and societies.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a legally binding agreement that was conceived during a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) meeting in November 1988. It was signed at the Rio Earth Summit on 5 June 1992 and entered into force on December 29, 1993. The CBD aims to promote sustainable development and recognises that biodiversity encompasses more than just flora and fauna. Biodiversity is crucial for human needs such as food security, medicines and climate resilience. It covers all ecosystems, species and genetic resources, linking conservation efforts with sustainable use of biologically derived resources. It also addresses benefit-sharing from genetic resources and biotechnology through the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
The CBD has played a vital role in fostering global collaboration for biodiversity conservation. The Conference of the Parties (COP) serves as the decision-making body that guides the implementation of the CBD. COP sessions are held every two years, where member countries (196 Parties as of 2024) review progress, set goals and create strategies to achieve biodiversity conservation targets.
The GBF is a landmark agreement adopted at COP 15 in December 2022. It aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, setting four long-term goals for 2050 and 23 action-oriented targets. Although not legally binding, the framework requires countries to monitor and report on their progress every five years, guiding global efforts to protect and restore nature.
Key elements of the GBF include:
Colombia's selection as the host of COP 16 is highly symbolic, as the country is one of the most biodiverse in the world. Known for its vast tropical rainforests, high-altitude ecosystems and a wealth of species, Colombia harbours an estimated 10% of Earth’s biodiversity. The country’s natural wealth includes the Andes mountains, Amazon rainforest as well as Caribbean and Pacific coastlines. This biodiversity offers opportunities for sustainable development and wealth creation through a bio-economy approach. The Colombian government aims to generate 10% of its national income from the bio-economy by 2030. Hosting COP 16 offers Colombia the opportunity to showcase its efforts in conservation while highlighting the challenges it faces, such as deforestation, habitat loss and the pressures of industrial development. Colombia is also uniquely positioned to demonstrate how biodiversity conservation can coexist with sustainable economic development, making it an ideal venue for the international conference on biodiversity.
The COP 16 agenda is set to address critical biodiversity issues, aligning with the goals set forth in the GBF. Here are the key agenda items for COP 16:
Global Biodiversity Targets
The centrepiece of the COP 16 discussions will be the implementation of the 23 targets established under the GBF. Countries will review progress on these targets, including the commitment to protect 30% of the world’s land and seas by 2030. This target, also known as "30 by 30", will be scrutinised for its feasibility and effectiveness, especially concerning financing, governance and enforcement mechanisms.
Funding for Conservation
Another critical agenda item is the mobilisation of financial resources. The success of biodiversity targets hinges on the availability of adequate funding, particularly for developing countries. COP 16 will address financial commitments and strategies for mobilising public and private sector investments. The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and other funding mechanisms will play a central role in these discussions. The conference will discuss mobilising at least £157.13 billion annually for biodiversity from public and private sources by 2030.
Nature-Based Solutions and Climate Change
Biodiversity and climate change are deeply interconnected. Nature-based solutions, such as afforestation, sustainable agriculture and wetland restoration, will be emphasised as ways to combat both climate change and biodiversity loss. COP 16 will explore how to integrate biodiversity conservation with broader climate goals set by the Paris Agreement.
Mainstreaming Biodiversity Across Sectors
One of the key challenges in biodiversity conservation is ensuring that it becomes a core consideration in various sectors like agriculture, fisheries, mining and tourism. The COP 16 agenda will include discussions on how to integrate biodiversity into national policies and business practices, ensuring that economic development doesn’t come at the expense of ecosystems.
Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities
Indigenous peoples are stewards of some of the most biodiverse regions in the world. Recognising their role, COP 16 will focus on strengthening their rights and ensuring their participation in biodiversity governance. This includes securing land rights and promoting their traditional knowledge systems as crucial tools for conservation.
Pollution Reduction
Pollution, especially from plastics and hazardous chemicals, is one of the leading drivers of biodiversity loss. COP 16 will discuss pollution reduction strategies, focusing on mitigating marine pollution and managing hazardous substances that affect both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
COP 16 aims to transform the GBF commitments into actionable plans. Governments will review progress on National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and their alignment with the framework. The conference is expected to finalise the monitoring framework for the 23 targets, advance resource mobilisation strategies and develop a mechanism for equitable benefit-sharing from genetic resources. The outcomes of COP 16 will shape future global biodiversity policies and actions, setting the stage for more ambitious commitments at subsequent conferences.
The COP 16 conference in Colombia marks a pivotal moment in global efforts to protect biodiversity. With the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework guiding the agenda, this conference will set the tone for how countries and industries tackle the pressing challenges of biodiversity loss. The world will be watching closely as nations come together in Colombia, one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, to chart a sustainable path forward for our planet's ecosystems.