How the World Is Coming Together to Protect Nature: Insights from COP16 

Biodiversity, the variety of life on Earth, is declining at an unprecedented rate. According to a 2019 report from an intergovernmental panel of scientists, nearly one million species are at risk of extinction. The loss of biodiversity affects every facet of life, from the food we eat to the air we breathe, and even the stability of the climate. While habitat destruction, climate change, and overexploitation are major contributors to this decline, the global community is mobilizing to address these challenges. 

The Urgency: Why COP16 Matters 

From October 16, 2024, delegates from over 175 countries convened in Cali, Colombia, for the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This gathering is expected to be the largest biodiversity-focused conference in U.N. history, signifying the urgency of protecting life on Earth. The primary goal is to develop concrete actions that will halt biodiversity loss by 2030. 

As global ecosystems face irreversible damage, COP16 presents an opportunity for countries to reassess their commitment to preserving biodiversity. The stakes are high: forests are being cleared for agriculture, oceans are overfished, and climate change is exacerbating both crises. The theme of the conference, “Peace with Nature,” calls for a transformative relationship between humanity and the environment. 

1. Biodiversity in Decline: The Numbers Speak 

Biodiversity is declining faster than ever in human history, and the numbers are alarming. According to the intergovernmental panel on biodiversity, bird populations in North America have plummeted by almost 30% since 1970, with many common species facing significant losses. Similar patterns are found across other species, both terrestrial and marine.   

The primary drivers of biodiversity loss are: 
 

Driver	Impact
Habitat destruction	Clearing of land for agriculture
Overfishing	Depletion of fish stocks in the oceans
Climate change	Altered ecosystems and increased extinction rates
Pollution	Contamination of water and land

This decline poses a direct threat to human well-being, as ecosystems provide essential services like carbon sequestration, water filtration, and food production. 

2. The Role of COP16: What’s on the Agenda? 

COP16 brings together governments to discuss solutions, focusing on 23 specific targets that were agreed upon in Montreal two years ago. These include reducing biodiversity loss, halting species extinctions, addressing pollution, and conserving 30% of the planet’s land, inland waters, and oceans by 2030 (the 30×30 initiative). However, while many countries made these commitments, the actual progress toward these goals remains slow. 

Countries attending COP16 are required to submit detailed plans to show how they will meet the agreed targets. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has been tracking these plans and warns that only a small fraction of nations have submitted them before the conference began. 

3. Challenges in Financing: Bridging the Biodiversity Finance Gap 

One of the largest hurdles in biodiversity conservation is financing. Although an agreement was reached in Montreal to mobilize $200 billion per year by 2030, this falls short of the estimated $700 billion required to fully close the biodiversity finance gap. Many countries rich in biodiversity are also economically disadvantaged, making it difficult for them to fund large-scale conservation efforts. 

To address this, COP16 will explore new financing mechanisms, including a proposed fund that would collect payments from companies using digital genetic information from biodiverse regions. This could generate between $1 billion and several billion dollars annually for countries and Indigenous communities. 

Additionally, countries committed to phasing out $500 billion annually in harmful subsidies—such as those for fossil fuels and industrial agriculture—while redirecting those funds toward positive environmental incentives. However, a recent U.N. report showed that environmentally harmful subsidies actually increased by 55% between 2021 and 2022, largely due to increased fiscal support for fossil fuel consumption. This makes financing one of the most contentious issues at COP16. 

4. Indigenous Communities: At the Heart of the Solution 

Indigenous peoples play a vital role in biodiversity conservation, as they manage some of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. Recognizing their contributions, COP16 is expected to focus on how Indigenous communities can directly access funding for conservation efforts, rather than relying on national governments.  

Indigenous knowledge systems offer time-tested strategies for ecosystem management, and involving these communities in global discussions is essential for effective conservation. The conference will explore ways to strengthen the role of Indigenous groups in the global biodiversity agenda, including their access to financial resources and participation in decision-making processes. 

5. Colombia’s Unique Position: Between Peace and Environmental Protection 

Colombia, a country renowned for its biodiversity, faces unique challenges. Despite President Gustavo Petro’s focus on environmental protection, large parts of the Colombian Amazon are under the control of armed rebel groups. Deforestation in these regions has skyrocketed, fueled by illegal logging, mining, and land-grabbing.  

In fact, a report from the International Crisis Group revealed that armed rebels can significantly influence deforestation rates, slowing or accelerating forest clearing at will. Colombia also leads the world in the number of environmental defenders killed each year, followed closely by Brazil. The conference’s theme, “Peace with Nature,” takes on added meaning in this context, highlighting the need for security and governance in biodiverse regions to ensure environmental protection. 

What Lies Ahead for Global Biodiversity 

As COP16 progresses, the future of biodiversity hangs in the balance. With biodiversity declining faster than ever, international cooperation is more crucial than ever. While there are clear challenges—especially in financing and the role of Indigenous communities—the decisions made at COP16 could chart a new path for humanity’s relationship with nature. For the sake of life on Earth, this conference must deliver meaningful results.