The urgency of the global environmental crisis looms large as the 16th UN Conference on Biodiversity (COP16) kicks off in Cali, Colombia, marking a pivotal point in the collective effort to halt humanity’s destruction of nature. This meeting comes two years after a groundbreaking global agreement aimed at reversing biodiversity loss through a roadmap outlined at COP15. With a target date set for 2030, there is increasing concern that global action is progressing too slowly, risking irreparable harm to ecosystems, oceans, and wildlife. Key questions arise as stakeholders gather: Will COP16 be able to enforce the 23 ambitious targets established by the Global Biodiversity Framework? Can it mobilize essential funding, and how will it ensure the rights and involvement of Indigenous communities in these efforts? As discussions unfold, critical issues around accountability, funding, and the recognition of Indigenous rights will take center stage.
A primary focus of COP16 will be the delivery of promises made at previous conferences, particularly regarding the establishment of protected areas, land restoration, pesticide reduction, and the overall commitment to funding conservation efforts. Historical data show that many objectives set for 2020 were not met, highlighting the need for a robust monitoring mechanism to track progress moving forward. In response, countries agreed at COP15 to create shared indicators and a review process to hold nations accountable. However, the specifics of this mechanism remain unresolved and will be a high-priority item on COP16’s agenda. Colombia, as the host nation, aims to position itself as a leader in global biodiversity conservation and advocates for the completion of these critical negotiations.
National action plans and commitments will also be examined closely during the conference. As of mid-October, only a small percentage of countries had submitted biodiversity strategies aligned with the global goals. In total, 29 out of 196 countries had completed their national strategies, while 91 committed to various targets. Notably, plans from Colombia and Brazil will be highly anticipated, with 12,000 delegates, including heads of state, expected to participate. The spotlight will particularly shine on the ambitious goal of designating 30 percent of land and ocean areas as protected by 2030. Current statistics indicate that only 8.35 percent of the oceans and 17.5 percent of terrestrial areas are safeguarded, reflecting an urgent need for increased action.
An essential component of COP16 discussions will revolve around financing biodiversity initiatives, especially in developing countries. Developed nations have pledged to provide increasing levels of financial support, targeting $20 billion annually by 2025 and $30 billion by 2030. However, current funding levels, reported at $15.4 billion in 2022, indicate a significant gap in meeting these targets. Developing nations will continue to advocate for the establishment of an autonomous fund to facilitate these financial transfers, a point of contention for wealthier countries that resist creating multiple funding streams. Unlocking private finance through biodiversity credits is another crucial topic to be discussed, which may help generate the necessary resources for conservation efforts.
Another significant challenge on the table at COP16 is the issue of “biopiracy,” whereby genetic resources are utilized commercially without the agreement or fair compensation to Indigenous peoples and those who have traditionally preserved this knowledge. The Nagoya Protocol, which has been in place since 2014, addresses the equitable sharing of benefits derived from genetic resources. However, much of the innovation is represented as digitized genetic sequences (DSI), which typically favor developed economies at the expense of those who contribute traditional knowledge. Developing countries are keen on establishing a global profit-sharing scheme to combat this practice, though questions linger about which corporations would contribute to this framework, the nature of their contributions, and how the proceeds would be distributed among stakeholders.
Indigenous communities play a prominent role in biodiversity discussions, yet historically, their voices have often been marginalised within the decision-making processes. At this year’s summit, Indigenous representatives are determined to advocate for a recognition of their rights and traditional ecological knowledge, especially given the context of their ancestral lands bordering the Amazon rainforest. Their long-standing exclusion from meaningful engagement calls for greater inclusivity and respect for their contributions to conservation efforts. As COP16 unfolds, the decisions made in Cali hold significant potential to address these communities’ needs and aspirations, reflecting a shift towards more equitable and effective biodiversity governance in the contemporary environmental landscape.
