COP16, the much-anticipated follow-up talks to the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) agreement, have opened in Cali, Colombia with a renewed determination to reverse the alarming loss of nature on land and sea. This legal framework, sometimes described as the “Paris Agreement for nature”, was agreed upon under the Chinese Presidency of the United Nations’ Convention on Biological Diversity’s 15th Conference of Parties (COP15). As we come together to discuss the future of our planet, it is important to understand the significance of this event and the impact it will have on our planet and its inhabitants.
The GBF agreement, which was adopted at the COP15 in Kunming, China, sets out a path for global action to conserve and restore biodiversity by 2030. It has been hailed as a historic achievement, with more than 190 countries pledging to take urgent and transformative action to protect biodiversity. However, the implementation of this agreement will require a collaborative effort from all stakeholders, including governments, businesses, and civil society.
The COP16 talks in Cali are a crucial step towards the implementation of the GBF agreement. With the theme of “Land, Sea, and Life”, this year’s conference will focus on actions to protect and restore biodiversity on both land and sea. This is a timely and necessary focus, as we have seen an unprecedented loss of biodiversity in recent years, with one million species facing extinction.
The loss of biodiversity not only has a devastating impact on the natural world but also on human well-being. Biodiversity loss affects food security, water and air quality, and the resilience of communities to natural disasters. It also threatens the very foundation of our economies, with the potential to disrupt supply chains and cause economic instability. Therefore, the preservation of biodiversity is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity.
One of the key objectives of the COP16 talks is to finalize a post-2020 global biodiversity framework that will guide actions to safeguard nature and its contributions to people. This framework will set targets and indicators for countries to monitor and report on their progress towards conserving and restoring biodiversity. It will also provide guidance on how to mainstream biodiversity into key sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and tourism.
The success of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework will depend on the commitment and actions of all countries. Each country must take responsibility for protecting its own biodiversity, as well as supporting the conservation efforts of other nations. This will require a significant increase in funding and resources, as well as the development of innovative solutions to address the drivers of biodiversity loss.
At the COP16 talks, there will be a focus on the role of businesses in protecting biodiversity. As the main drivers of economic growth, businesses have a crucial role to play in promoting sustainable practices that minimize their impact on nature. This includes adopting sustainable production and consumption patterns, reducing waste and pollution, and investing in nature-based solutions. Governments must also create a conducive policy environment that incentivizes and regulates businesses to operate in an environmentally responsible manner.
The COP16 talks will also address the issue of financing for biodiversity conservation. The GBF agreement recognizes that current levels of funding for biodiversity conservation are insufficient to address the scale of the challenge. Therefore, countries must work together to mobilize additional resources, both from public and private sources, to support biodiversity conservation. This will require innovative financing mechanisms and partnerships between governments, businesses, and civil society.
In addition to the official negotiations, the COP16 talks will also provide a platform for dialogue and knowledge sharing among all stakeholders. Civil society organizations, indigenous peoples, and local communities will have the opportunity to share their perspectives and knowledge on biodiversity conservation. This inclusive approach is crucial to ensure that the voices of all stakeholders are heard and considered in the decision-making process.
In conclusion, the COP16 talks in Cali are a critical moment for our planet. As we face the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to come together and take decisive action to protect nature. The GBF agreement provides a roadmap for this action, and the COP16 talks are an opportunity to turn this roadmap into reality. Let us seize this moment to build a better and more sustainable future for all.
