Biodiversity COP16: Global Efforts to Preserve Nature

Why in the news?

Countries gather in Cali, Colombia, for the 16th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, focusing on critical conservation targets and global biodiversity restoration efforts.

Biodiversity COP16: Global Efforts to Preserve Nature

About the 16th Conference of Parties to the CBD:

  • Event Overview: Countries are meeting in Cali, Colombia, for the 16th Conference of Parties (CoP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), focusing on protecting global biodiversity and restoring natural ecosystems.
  • Historical Context: The CBD emerged from the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, aiming to safeguard biodiversity, restore ecosystems, and ensure equitable distribution of benefits from biological resources.
  • Significance of CoP16: This is the first conference after the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was established at CoP15, setting four goals and 23 targets for 2030, including the 30×30 target to conserve 30% of the world’s lands and oceans.

Addressing the Biodiversity Crisis:

  • Link to Climate Change: The climate crisis and biodiversity loss are interconnected, driven by resource extraction and unsustainable practices, necessitating integrated discussions in COP meetings.
  • Extent of Threat: Approximately 1 million species face extinction, and significant land and forest degradation continues, highlighting the urgency of biodiversity preservation.
  • 30×30 Targets: CoP16 aims to advance the 30×30 goals, requiring countries to submit National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) to halt biodiversity loss. So far, only 32 of 196 parties have submitted their plans.

Financing Biodiversity Conservation

  • Financial Goals: The Kunming-Montreal Framework aims to mobilise $200 billion annually by 2030 for biodiversity conservation, with developed countries expected to contribute at least $20 billion each year to support developing nations.
  • Agenda Items: Discussions will focus on establishing new financial mechanisms and biodiversity credits similar to carbon credits, as well as eliminating harmful subsidies that threaten biodiversity.
  • Shared Genetic Resources: The High Seas Treaty aims to regulate the exploitation of genetic resources and ensure equitable sharing of benefits, particularly for indigenous communities connected to these resources.

What is the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF)?

  • About:
    • Multilateral treaty adopted in December 2022 during CoP 15.
    • Aims to halt and reverse global biodiversity loss by 2030.
    • Supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and builds on the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020.
  • Purpose and Goals:
    • Targets 30% of degraded ecosystems under effective restoration by
    • Contains 23 action-oriented global targets for the decade leading to
    • Emphasises collective global efforts, not individual country obligations.
  • Long-Term Vision:
    • Envisions living in harmony with nature by
    • Serves as a guide for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use policies.

About National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs):

  • India has developed 12 NBTs aligned with Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
  • National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) updated to incorporate these targets.
  • Monitoring framework established to track progress toward NBTs.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times