Your guide to the UN biodiversity summit

Next week, leaders and representatives from nearly 200 countries will gather in Cali, Colombia, for the United Nations biodiversity summit known as COP16. 

Together, they will negotiate how the world can protect biodiversity and the ecosystems that sustain life on Earth. It’s a critical responsibility. From Africa’s savannas to the coral reefs of the Pacific, wildlife is under severe threat. One million species of animals and plants are at risk of extinction by 2030 — and humanity is largely to blame. 

Conservation International’s experts have consulted governments in the leadup to the summit and will be there to help make big gains for nature. 

Here are three critical questions ahead of the summit:

Lion cubs, Botswana © Jonathan Irish

Is the world on track to meet its goals?

Two years ago, nearly every country on Earth signed on to the most ambitious plan ever to reverse nature loss — a sweeping framework made up of 23 targets and an unprecedented goal: conserving 30 percent of all lands and seas by 2030. 

Now, policymakers are gathering once again to assess progress on this bold promise to protect nearly a third of the planet. 

“The framework passed at the last COP requires countries to clearly indicate how their national plans meet specific targets,” said Carly Siege, a policy expert at Conservation International. “So far, about a third of countries have submitted their plans, and each of them include a ‘30 by 30’ target.” 

But that leaves over 100 countries behind the November 2024 deadline to finalize their biodiversity plans. Conservation International has emphasized the urgency of this issue, working closely with nations to help them meet their goals. 

“In every region where we operate — Africa, the Americas and Asia-Pacific — our scientists, policy experts and local partners are collaborating to ensure countries’ updated biodiversity plans are both ambitious and scientifically sound,” said Jill Hepp, who leads Conservation International’s biodiversity policy work. “The summit in Colombia will focus on fostering collaboration, bringing together nations with established plans and those still working on them, to ensure that every country sets concrete, actionable targets.” 

Turning these goals into action will require countries to think and act locally — seeking input from people who rely on nature for their livelihoods. In particular, they must ensure the rights and participation of Indigenous Peoples, who have proven to be among the most effective stewards of nature. How countries have employed this kind of participatory approach will be part of the progress assessment in Cali.

Blue and yellow macaw, Bolivia © Jonathan Irish

How can we protect biodiversity and solve climate change at the same time?

There is clear scientific evidence that biodiversity loss and climate change are interconnected, and nature is important to addressing both crises. Earth’s biodiversity — from tiny organisms in the soil to animals that disperse seeds — gives nature its ability to effectively store carbon and slow climate change. When it’s lost or degraded, nature can’t store as much carbon or provide other benefits that people depend on, like fresh water, food or housing materials. 

But as of 2023, fewer than half the world’s countries had aligned their climate plans with their nature commitments. 

According to Siege, these conflicting priorities can be addressed by having countries agree to tackle the biodiversity and climate crises in tandem — developing national climate and biodiversity plans that reinforce each other and are not isolated. 

How will the world pay for all this?

It is estimated that global efforts to conserve nature are severely underfunded by around US$ 700 billion per year. Countries have grappled over who should foot the bill and how to tap into innovative funding strategies for nature, which generates huge value for the world’s economies. 

“The linked crises of climate change and biodiversity loss are increasingly tormenting our lives, from catastrophic wildfires in the Amazon and water supply problems in Bogota, to historic flooding in North Carolina and Thailand,” said Patricia Zurita, chief strategy officer at Conservation International. “Negotiators cannot leave Cali without deciding where some of that funding will originate, when it will be delivered and what groups will receive it. Time is of the essence.” 

“Conservation International is eager to roll up our sleeves and get to work,” she added. 

Among the most pressing issues at the summit will be the reform of government subsidies — financial support given to industries to lower their costs in sectors like agriculture, energy and mining. Unfortunately, many of these subsidies end up funding activities that harm ecosystems, such as deforestation and overfishing. 

“All over the world, taxpayers unknowingly finance the destruction of nature, as governments pour trillions into businesses that degrade our ecosystems,” Zurita said. “If countries cannot make meaningful progress to mobilize new resources and realign all harmful subsidies, then nature is in trouble.” 

Conservation International will be advocating for a provision that would give clear guidance to governments, businesses organizations and others on identifying and repurposing subsidies for industries that drive nature loss. 

“We must ensure capital reaches the right projects — specifically, efforts that simultaneously benefit biodiversity, climate and human well-being,” Zurita said. 

This is happening in a very tangible way in Amazonia. Leaders from the nine Amazon countries will take the stage at COP16 to announce the Pan-Amazon Bioeconomy Network — a commitment to creating an economy that works with nature. By using plants, animals and microorganisms to produce food, materials, energy and other products sustainably, this approach values standing forests, flowing rivers, biodiversity and the cultures of the Indigenous Peoples who live in the Amazon. 

“By building a strong, nature-based economy, we’re protecting the Amazon rainforest for the 50 million people who live there, while taking a critical step toward aligning climate action, biodiversity conservation and human development,” said Rachel Biderman, who leads Conservation International’s work in the Americas. “Conservation International is proud to be a part of this effort, working to ensure that the network’s commitments are translated into tangible actions.” 

The Amazon © Johnny Lye

Will McCarry is the content director at Conservation International. Want to read more stories like this? Sign up for email updates. Also, please consider supporting our critical work.