What is COP16?

COP or the Conference of Parties is a meeting between countries which result in legal agreements with the UN to reach global biodiversity and climate targets. The sixteenth conference will take place between 21-1st November in Cali, Colombia.

It takes into account every stakeholder including: countries, governments, cities, businesses, indigenous people, local communities, scientists, academics and young people. Parties will report on their progress towards the Global Biodiversity Framework as set by the Kumming-Montreal agreement at COP15 and asses whether we are on track to meet 2050 targets.

What is the Global Biodiversity Framework?

The Global Biodiversity Framework aims to restore nature and wildlife systems and help countries meet sustainable development goals. It lays out four goals for 2050 which can only be achieved if 23 smaller targets are met by 2030.

Goal A: To increase the integrity, connectivity and resilience of all ecosystems, maintain genetic diversity within populations and bring human induced species decline to a halt

Goal B: Restoring wildlands in decline and ensuring sustainable usage of ecosystem functions and services through technological development, maintenance and restoration.

Goal C: Internationally agreed benefit-sharing to ensure every stakeholder gains monetary and non-monetary profit from genetic resources especially with local communities and indigenous people.

Goal D: Reaching social sustainability through climate-related capacity-building, scientific cooperation and financial assistance to ensure every country has the resources for change.

COP16 is essential in analysing the resources needed for developing countries to meet these targets and implement change. The conference will also cover which targets are most likely to be achieved and addressed and which ones require more defined agreements. It will outline the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP) put in place to keep us on track for 2030 and 2050.

Conservation based stakeholders

IUCN

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has stated they need to see more countries playing their role in ecosystem restoration if we plan to halt species decline and reverse biodiversity loss by 2050. They believe monetary sacrifices must be made in order to reach long-term sustainability, this includes contribution and efforts from all working sectors. They also want to see more implementation driven by past successes, resources and data which have already been proven effective to reduce losses.

 WWF

The World Wildlife Fund wants to priorities bridging the gap between money pledged and money needed for the Biodiversity Framework, which will require developed countries to play their role in assisting the less fortunate. They have also highlighted the importance of infrastructural development and community engagement to preserve and protect habitats.

The Wildlife Trusts (UK)

The wildlife Trusts want to see a detailed description on where and how 30% of land will be restored and protected by 2030, considering only 3.1% of the UK is officially protected. They also hope to plan the reintroduction of beavers, as ecosystem engineers, back into every county in the country and peat bog restoration being prioritised. Finally, they would like the minimum biodiversity net gain which currently stands at 10% to be risen to prevent the lack of sustainability effort from construction organisations.