16th UN Conference of Parties (COP16) on Biological Diversity

06-11-2024

The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) took place in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1, 2024.
The summit aimed to address critical global issues related to biodiversity conservation and nature protection.
While some significant progress was made, many key issues were left unresolved, forcing countries to agree to continue negotiations at a future meeting in Bangkok in 2024.
Theme of COP16: “Peace with Nature,” emphasizing the importance of preserving biodiversity to maintain harmony between human society and the natural world.

Background of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):

Origin and Goals:
1. The CBD was adopted at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit and entered into force on December 29, 1993.
2. It is a legally binding international treaty aimed at ensuring the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of biological resources, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.
3. The CBD has been ratified by 196 countries, making it one of the most widely adopted international treaties.
4. The United States is the only UN member state that has not ratified the convention.
COP Meetings:
1. The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the governing body of the CBD. The COP meets periodically to assess progress, set new goals, and take decisions on biodiversity issues.
2. COP15, held in Montreal (2022), was a pivotal conference where the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) was adopted.
3. A key outcome was the 30-by-30 agreement, which aims to protect 30% of the world’s lands and oceans by 2030.

Key Goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF):

The KMGBF, adopted at COP15, set out 23 global action-oriented targets to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, including:

30-by-30 Protection Goal: Conserve 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030.
Invasive Alien Species: Reduce the introduction of invasive species by 50% and mitigate their impact by 2030.
Pollution Control: Minimize pollution risks to tolerable levels by 2030.
Benefit-Sharing Mechanism: Establish systems for sharing the benefits derived from Digital Sequence Information (DSI) and genetic resources.
Mainstreaming Biodiversity: Integrate biodiversity considerations into policies, regulations, and development planning.

The goal of COP16 was to make progress on these targets and implement the KMGBF.

Key Developments and Breakthroughs at COP16

1. Introduction of a Global Tax on Genetic Data (Cali Fund):

Genetic data from nature (called Digital Sequence Information, or DSI) is increasingly used in products like medicines but has often been accessed without payment.
A major agreement at COP16 was the decision to introduce a global tax on companies that profit from using this data.
Criteria for Companies: Companies will need to meet two out of 3 criteria:
1. Sales of over $50 million.
2. Profits of over $5 million.
3. $20 million in total assets.
Contribution to DSI Fund: Companies meeting these criteria will have to contribute 1% of their profits or 0.1% of their revenue to the DSI fund.
Potential Fund Size: The fund could raise more than £1 billion (about $1.25 billion) each year for nature conservation.
Benefit to Indigenous Communities: At least 50% of the fund will go to Indigenous communities involved in conservation work, ensuring that poorer countries benefit from the use of their natural resources.

2. Permanent Role for Indigenous and Local Communities:

For the 1st time in history, Indigenous peoples and local communities were granted a permanent role in UN biodiversity decision-making.
This change ensures that these groups have a formal voice in biodiversity negotiations, rather than depending on governments to represent their interests.
Afro-descendant communities, particularly in the Americas, were also given formal recognition in decision-making processes.

3. Synthetic Biology:

A new thematic action plan on synthetic biology was introduced, focusing on capacity-building, technology transfer, and knowledge-sharing to help developing countries address the inequities in this rapidly growing field.
Synthetic biology refers to the engineering of new organisms or modifications to existing organisms using technologies like DNA sequencing and genome editing.

4. Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health:

A Global Action Plan was approved to address the emergence of zoonotic diseases.
It promotes human health, and encourages sustainable ecosystems through a One Health Approach, which recognizes the interconnected health of humans, animals, and ecosystems.

Key Failures and Missed Opportunities at COP16:

1. Failure to Meet the $200 Billion Annual Funding Target:

One of the major goals of COP16 was to finalize a plan to raise $200 billion annually by 2030 to protect biodiversity.
However, no clear plan was agreed upon.
The $20 billion annual pledge by wealthier countries to support poorer nations in biodiversity protection also remained unmet, causing frustration, especially from developing countries.

2. No Agreement on New Financial Mechanisms for Biodiversity:

Developing countries, especially in Africa and Brazil, pushed for a new system to distribute biodiversity funds, separate from the current Global Environment Facility (GEF) system.
The existing GEF is often seen as difficult to access and controlled by wealthier nations. However, no agreement was reached on this issue.

3. Monitoring and Accountability:

Another critical issue that remained unresolved was how to effectively monitor progress on the 23 biodiversity targets set at COP15.
A draft monitoring framework was under discussion but was not finalized, leaving countries without a system to track whether targets are being met.

India’s Contribution at COP16:

India played a prominent role at COP16, highlighting its strong commitment to biodiversity conservation:

1. Updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP):

India launched an updated NBSAP to align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

India’s Updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2024-2030

Launch: The updated NBSAP was unveiled at COP16 in Colombia.
Purpose: Provides a framework for biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource use, and fair sharing of benefits.
Background:
1. 1st NBSAP was created in 1999.
2. National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) adopted in 2008, updated in 2014 to align with Aichi Targets.
Alignment with Global Framework:
1. NBSAP 2024-2030 aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) adopted in 2022, aiming to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.
23 National Biodiversity Targets:
1. Focused on three main themes:
  1. Reducing threats to biodiversity
  2. Ensuring sustainable use of biological resources
  3. Enhancing implementation tools
Implementation Structure:
1. National Level: Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) with 22 other ministries.
2. State Level: State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils.
3. Local Level: Biodiversity Management Committees.
Capacity Building:
1. Assessing needs and gaps, identifying target groups and experts, and training for knowledge and skill acquisition.
Resource Mobilization:
1. India is recognized for its role in the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) to improve financial management of biodiversity.
2. Encourages private sector, businesses, donors, and international agencies to support with initiatives like Green Bonds, Green Funds, and Payment for Ecosystem Services.

2. Financial Investments in Biodiversity:

India committed to spending ₹81,664 crore (around $10 billion) on biodiversity and conservation from 2025 to 2030.
1. Between 2018 and 2022, India invested ₹32,207 crore (around $4 billion) in biodiversity and conservation.
India emphasized the need for international financial support to meet the ambitious targets outlined in the KMGBF, including the goal of raising $200 billion annually for biodiversity protection.

3. Conservation Initiatives:

India highlighted its commitment to wildlife conservation through initiatives like the International Big Cat Alliance, which focuses on protecting seven major big cat species.
India also reported a significant increase in the number of Ramsar sites, wetlands of international importance. The number of Ramsar sites in India has risen from 26 in 2014 to 85 today, with plans to reach 100 soon.

Challenges and Criticism of COP16 Negotiations:

1. Time Constraints and Legitimacy:

Many delegates from developing countries, such as Fiji, had to leave early due to financial constraints, which impacted the legitimacy of some key decisions.
Concerns were raised about the lack of quorum for important votes, potentially undermining the agreements made during the summit.

2. Weak Leadership from Wealthier Nations:

Critics, including Oscar Soria of the Common Initiative think tank, accused wealthier nations such as the EU, China, Canada, Switzerland, Japan, and the UK of not showing the necessary leadership to take concrete actions.
These countries had been instrumental in setting ambitious targets at COP15, but failed to take decisive action at COP16 to implement those targets.

3. Disappointment over Financial Commitments:

Environmental organizations like WWF expressed disappointment over the lack of progress on financial commitments.
The $200 billion annual funding goal and the $20 billion pledge for poorer countries were not achieved, leaving the biodiversity crisis underfunded and unresolved.

About Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):

Origin:
1. Adopted at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.
2. Entered into force on 29 December 1993.
Secretariat:
1. Based in Montreal, Canada.
Ratification:
1. Ratified by 196 nations.
2. The United States has not ratified the CBD.

Key Features of the CBD:

Legally Binding Treaty aimed at conserving biodiversity.
Conference of the Parties (COP) is the governing body.

Major Meetings & Milestones:

COP 1 (1994):
1. Location: Nassau, Bahamas.
2. Proposed 29 December as International Day for Biological Diversity.
COP 5 (2000):
1. Location: Nairobi, Kenya.
2. UNGA adopted 22 May as International Day for Biological Diversity.
COP 6 (2002):
1. Location: The Hague, Netherlands.
2. Global Taxonomy Initiative and Global Strategy for Plant Conservation adopted.
COP 10 (2010):
1. Location: Nagoya, Japan.
2. Adopted Nagoya Protocol on access to genetic resources and fair sharing of benefits.
3. Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
COP 15 Phase I (2021):
1. Location: Kunming, China.
2. Launched Kunming Biodiversity Fund.
COP 15 Phase II (2022):
1. Location: Montreal, Canada.
2. Adopted the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework with 4 goals and 23 targets to be achieved by 2030.
3. 30 by 30 Target: Restore 30% of degraded ecosystems and protect 30% of the world’s lands, oceans, and coastal areas by 2030.

Other Key Points:

Aichi Targets (2010-2020): No country met all 20 Aichi targets within its own borders.
CBD's Role: Aims to halt biodiversity loss through international cooperation and national implementation.