What does CBD and COP16 mean?

What is COP16? 

There are many international agreements (known as Conventions) where many countries or groups of countries (known as Parties) come together at huge meetings to discuss what needs to happen to reach collective goals. 

These conventions are often attended by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), intergovernmental organisations (IGO), and others and is managed by the Secretariat to the Convention. 

This year, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) holds its 16th Conference of Parties in Cali, Colombia, abbreviated as CBD COP16 or ‘Colombia COP16.’

What is the Convention on Biological Diversity? 

The Convention on Biological Diversity is an international agreement in which Parties apply rules, laws, and measures that align with the guidance set at the COPs to help achieve the goals. 

The CBD was first shaped at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, known as the Rio Earth Summit. At the same time, two other significant United Nations agreements were formed - the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). 

The three agreements were meant to work in parallel to tackle the major environmental issues the world faced and continues to face. 

What are the main goals of the CBD?

There are three goals of the Convention: 

A.    The conservation of biological diversity

B.    The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity

C.    The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources

At COPs, many discussions about various topics feed into these three goals. To make sense of these topics, in 2022, the CBD and its Parties created and agreed on the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). This was signed across two meetings in Kunming and Montreal, so its full name, referred to in official texts, is the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). 

The GBF created 23 Targets that Parties need to work towards to meet the three main goals. By 2030, the objective is to stop and reverse biodiversity loss to put nature on a path to recovery for the benefit of people and the planet and by 2050, be living in harmony with nature.

To achieve these goals, we are calling for a specific person whose job it is to focus on species conservation and recovery within the CBD Secretariat, a dedicated place, like a forum, where Parties can share knowledge on species conservation and recovery and broad discussion with scientists and experts to happen at every meeting between the COPs (called Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice).

What are the Global Biodiversity Framework Targets? 

There are 23 Targets covering an array of topics, from preventing biodiversity loss through taking too many and trading wild species, the impacts of agriculture, pollution and human-wildlife conflict to how much funding these targets will take to work.

At COP16, we are calling for the promised funding and resources for developing countries, Indigenous Peoples, and Local Communities and ensuring the short-term target of organising $20 billion USD every year starting in 2025 will happen.  

Each Target has a specific text that Parties need to work towards through national approaches called National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).

If you want a deeper dive, listen to Bethan Laughlin explain more...

What are NBSAPs? 

National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans are the approaches the Parties and governments are taking to conserve biodiversity and sustainably use natural resources. 

With just five years left to halt and reverse global biodiversity loss, it is critical that governments develop ambitious, globally aligned, well-resourced, and well-evidenced national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAP). 

Following the success of agreeing on the Global Biodiversity Framework, at this COP all Parties are supposed to submit their plans of action (NBSAPs) to prove they are making headway along with all the other Parties. 

Not all Parties will submit their plans in time for this COP, which could provide an opportunity for them to make sure their NBSAPs align with climate change mitigation goals before submitting them as soon as possible.

How are the Goals and Targets monitored? 

This is a complex and highly debated question, and there are still no firm answers for every GBF Target. These Targets need measurable data to use as a benchmark to show whether Parties' actions through their NBSAPs are making an impact. 

Research into data gaps shows that information is lacking in specific areas. A species' population, known as species abundance, and the quality of protected areas are critical signs of how biodiversity loss is reversing, slowing down, or getting worse.  

This year's Living Planet Report uses ZSL’s Living Planet Index data, found that monitored wildlife populations have decreased on average by 73% between 1970 and 2020, and species populations declined by a staggering 95% in the Latin America and Caribbean region, where CBD COP16 is taking place.

Recovering native wild species abundance is a vital measure of success for Goal A and other Targets. We recommend adding the established and globally recognised Living Planet Index as the headline indicator for Goal A.

Why is ZSL attending CBD COP16? 

Since its founding in 1826, our international conservation charity has been driven by science. We work to restore wildlife around the world by protecting species, restoring ecosystems, training conservationists, and creating change. 

Every Goal and Target is relevant to our mission. Working across the globe, we are striving to tackle see the devastating impact of the intertwined biodiversity loss and, climate change crises on the planet we all call home.  

There is a short window of time to mitigate the impact of these crises, but Parties at CBD COP16 need to work together to combine their efforts towards the UNFCCC goals at the same time. Delivering science-based conservation efforts we believe people and wildlife can live better together to restore the wonder and diversity of life everywhere.

ZSL’s Policy and Negotiation recommendations