COP is Not Just for Climate: Biodiversity on Centre Stage

Next month, the city of Cali, Colombia, will host one of the most significant environmental events of the year – the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). With over 190 countries represented, the event will see governments, indigenous communities, youth groups, businesses, civil society, and the general public come together to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time: biodiversity loss.

But what exactly is the CBD, and why is this COP such a pivotal moment for the future of life on Earth?

1. What is the CBD and Why Does COP Matter?

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a groundbreaking international treaty designed to protect biodiversity, ensure its sustainable use, and guarantee that the benefits from genetic resources are shared fairly. With 196 countries committed to this legally binding agreement, the CBD represents one of the world's most far-reaching efforts to safeguard the natural world.
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The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the decision-making body that helps advance the implementation of this treaty. Every few years, these meetings set the agenda for how governments and other stakeholders will work to meet the goals of the CBD. And at COP16, the stakes have never been higher.

2. What to Expect at COP16

This year’s COP16 is especially significant as it marks the first Biodiversity COP since the adoption of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), also known as the "Biodiversity Plan." The GBF lays out 23 ambitious targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, and COP16 will be a crucial opportunity to measure progress and chart the way forward.

Some key focuses of the conference will include:

- Monitoring and Reporting: Governments will assess their progress toward the GBF's targets, using a newly developed monitoring framework to track achievements.
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- Financing Biodiversity: The conference will address how countries can raise the $200 billion USD annually needed by 2030, focusing on reforms like phasing out environmentally harmful subsidies (Target 18) and mobilising financial resources (Target 19).
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- Access and Benefit Sharing: A multilateral mechanism will be discussed to ensure fair access and benefits from the use of digital sequence information (DSI) on genetic resources. In simple terms, genetic resources (which are used in products and medicines) are often located in biodiversity-rich countries. However, these countries often don’t reap the rewards associated to these genetic resources. Access and Benefit Sharing will ensure that countries who have historically protected biodiversity receive the benefits that it generates.
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3. Why Biodiversity Matters More Than Ever

Biodiversity is the foundation of life on Earth, supporting the natural systems that clean our air, filter our water, pollinate our crops, and stabilize our climate. Yet, the world is facing an unprecedented crisis: habitats are disappearing, and up to one million species are at risk of extinction. This loss threatens not only the environment but also the global economy and the billions of people whose livelihoods depend on healthy ecosystems.
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COP16 provides a platform for countries to turn the commitments made in the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework into concrete, actionable plans. Decisions made in Cali will not only shape the future of biodiversity but also have far-reaching impacts on climate, food security, and the health of the planet.

‍4. The Business Imperative

Businesses are increasingly recognizing that biodiversity loss is a risk they cannot afford to ignore. Target 15 of the Global Biodiversity Framework calls on companies to "assess, disclose, and reduce biodiversity-related risks and negative impacts." As a result, corporate participation in COP meetings has surged, especially since COP15.
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At COP16, organizations like Business for Nature will bring together leading companies to push for ambitious policies and accelerated government action. High-profile initiatives like Bloom 24, the World Biodiversity Summit 2024, and the Nature Positive Pavilion will provide businesses with opportunities to contribute to global biodiversity efforts.

For businesses, engaging with COP16 is not just about environmental stewardship; it’s about ensuring long-term resilience in a world where biodiversity is integral to economic stability and growth.

‍5. Takeaway

As the world turns its attention to COP16, the message is clear: biodiversity isn’t just an environmental issue - it’s a global imperative. The decisions made in Cali will set the course for how humanity confronts one of its most urgent challenges. With governments, businesses, and civil society all coming together, COP16 could hold the potential to be a turning point in our efforts to protect life on Earth.

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