COP16: What Comes After Cali?

The 16th UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) was held in Cali, Colombia, from 21st October to 1st November 2024. However, after a final negotiations sprint, discussions around a new fund and other key decisions, have been postponed and the meeting was suspended, as there were no longer enough negotiators in the room to take decisions. It will now reconvene from 25th to 27th February 2025 in Rome, Italy, at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

by Leena Joshi

The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), held in Cali, Colombia, represented a pivotal moment in global biodiversity governance. Building on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the summit marked a renewed commitment to halting biodiversity loss by 2030. However, COP16’s abrupt conclusion – without reaching necessary agreements – underscores the challenges of translating global goals into actionable outcomes. As parties prepare to reconvene for resumed discussions in Rome next week, this is an opportune moment to reflect on some of the outcomes of COP16 and what needs to happen in Rome to ensure policy commitments don’t just remain empty rhetoric [1].

Key Outcomes of COP16

Strengthening Global Commitments

COP16 reaffirmed the ambitious 30×30 target, which aims to protect 30% of the planet’s land and marine areas by 2030. Building on commitments from COP15, discussions in Cali emphasized the importance of ecosystem integrity, species protection, and equitable participation by Indigenous peoples and local communities [2]. Indigenous groups secured formal recognition for their pivotal role in biodiversity stewardship. However, unresolved disagreements over specific implementation mechanisms and regional responsibilities delayed progress.

Finance for Nature

Addressing the biodiversity funding gap was central to COP16. The conference reaffirmed the $200 billion annual funding target for biodiversity by 2030, as established in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) adopted at COP15 in 2022. Innovative mechanisms such as blending public and private investments and leveraging climate finance were discussed to achieve this target. However, a $700 billion annual funding gap, as estimated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other sources, remains a critical barrier to implementing biodiversity conservation measures and achieving the 30×30 target. Developing nations – especially those in the Global South – emphasized the need for equitable fund distribution and greater accountability from wealthier countries to fulfill their financial commitments.

Monitoring and Accountability

Delegates agreed on the necessity of robust monitoring frameworks to track progress on biodiversity commitments. The adoption of a standardized global biodiversity monitoring system aims to enhance transparency, improve accountability, and ensure nations deliver on their GBF contributions. However, questions remain about enforcement and whether nations will face consequences for failing to meet their targets [3].

Challenges and Political Fallout 

Time Constraints and Unfinished Business

The conference ended abruptly as discussions ran overtime, leaving several critical issues unresolved. Key topics, such as mechanisms for equitable biodiversity funding, enforcement of the 30×30 target, and integration of biodiversity with the climate agenda, were deferred. 

Negotiating blocs clashed over the scope of commitments and financial responsibilities, causing delays in reaching a consensus. Developing countries emphasized the need for substantial financial support to implement biodiversity goals, including grants and debt relief to mitigate financial constraints. They were willing to strengthen commitments to biodiversity conservation, provided financial and technical support was guaranteed. Indigenous coalitions demanded stronger safeguards for their land rights, recognition of their stewardship roles, and direct access to funding. 

Wealthier nations offered scaled-up funding but often tied it to stringent accountability measures, such as detailed reporting on conservation outcomes. While some nations pledged increases in biodiversity financing, their commitments fell short of the amounts developing countries deemed necessary [4]. 

The failure to conclude COP16 has significant political implications. The summit’s second part in Rome offers an opportunity to address these gaps, but it also risks eroding trust among negotiating parties. Without tangible progress, the CBD process could face increased scrutiny from civil society organizations and some member states who view the stalemate as undermining global biodiversity goals.

Integrating Biodiversity and Climate Agendas

COP16 underscored the interconnectedness of biodiversity and climate change, emphasizing the dual benefits of protecting forests, wetlands, and other ecosystems. However, fragmented governance and siloed funding streams continue to hinder integrated action. Experts argue that aligning biodiversity strategies with climate policies – such as the Paris Agreement – will be essential to meeting global targets [5].

Indigenous Rights and Equity

While Indigenous peoples gained a stronger voice at COP16, activists warned against tokenism. True progress requires empowering these communities with decision-making authority and ensuring conservation efforts do not displace local populations or exacerbate existing inequalities. The second part of COP16 will need to solidify these commitments to avoid repeating past injustices [6].

Post-Cali: Turning Ambition into Action

As the world looks to the second part of COP16, the spotlight shifts to implementation. Key priorities include:

• Policy Alignment: Translating global goals into national biodiversity action plans.
• Capacity Building: Providing technical and financial support to developing countries.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Deepening partnerships with Indigenous peoples, youth, and the private sector.
• Corporate Responsibility: Encouraging businesses to adopt nature-positive practices through biodiversity disclosures and supply chain reforms.

The CBD Secretariat must coordinate efforts and ensure accountability, while nations work to bridge divides before reconvening in Rome. The stakes are high; failure to resolve these issues risks undermining the GBF and delaying critical conservation efforts.

A Defining Decade for Biodiversity

COP16 marked a critical juncture in the global biodiversity journey. Its outcomes reinforced that safeguarding biodiversity is not only an environmental imperative but also a cornerstone of sustainable development and climate resilience. The road from Cali to Rome will require bold leadership, innovative solutions, and a focus on equity [7].

Ultimately, the success of COP16 will be judged by the tangible impact of its decisions. As nations prepare for negotiations from 25-27 February at the FAO’s Headquarters in Rome, Italy, the global community must hold itself accountable to the promises made in Cali.

References:

[1] Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity. “Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework”. https://www.cbd.int/. Accessed on 7th December 2024.
[2] International Union for Conservation of Nature. “Protected Areas and the 30×30 Goal”. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/world-must-act-faster-protect-30-planet-2030#:~:text=%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20essential%20that%20protected,often%20their%20most%20valuable%20custodians. Accessed on 7th December 2024.
[3] Carbon Brief. “COP16: Key Outcomes Agreed at the UN Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia.”https://www.carbonbrief.org/cop16-key-outcomes-agreed-at-the-un-biodiversity-conference-in-cali-colombia/. Accessed on 7th December 2024.
[4] United Nations Development Programme. “Biodiversity Financing and Closing the Funding Gap.”https://www.unep.org/topics/ocean-seas-and-coasts/finance#:~:text=The%20Global%20Biodiversity%20Framework%20aims,resources%20and%20realizing%20sustainability%20goals. Accessed on 7th December 2024.
[5] WWF International. “Biodiversity Targets: Progress and Challenges.” https://scholar.google.co.in/scholar?q=WWF+International,+%E2%80%9CBiodiversity+Targets:+Progress+and+Challenges&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart. Accessed on 7th December 2024.
[6] Greenpeace International. “The Role of Indigenous Leadership in Biodiversity Conservation”. https://www.greenpeace.org/international/story/70942/indigenous-people-local-communities-protection-biodiversity-climate/#:~:text=Looking%20at%20the%20current%20state,guardians%20of%20the%20world’s%20ecosystems. Accessed on 7th December 2024.
[7] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. “Resumed meetings of the UN Biodiversity Conference to be held at FAO headquarters, 25 – 27 February 2025”. https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/resumed-meetings-of-the-un-biodiversity-conference-to-be-held-at-fao-headquarters–25—27-february-2025/en#:~:text=Rome%20%2D%20The%20Food%20and%20Agriculture,25%20to%2027%20February%202025. Accessed on 7th December 2024.