Over the past two weeks, more than 20,000 delegates gathered in Cali, Colombia to attend the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). While the decline of biodiversity continues to accelerate, expectations were high for Parties to start delivering on the commitment they made two years ago to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 under the Global Biodiversity Framework. However, delegates left with mixed feelings. Despite a Colombian presidency committed to fostering “peace with nature”, negotiations stalled over financial issues, and some critical decisions were ultimately deferred because of a lack of quorum. Still, a positive outcome emerged thanks to a large mobilisation: the ocean’s role in biodiversity goals was widely acknowledged and key decisions to protect it were adopted.
ENCOURAGING STEPS MADE TOWARDS IMPLEMENTATION, DESPITE YET INSUFFICIENT MEANS DEPLOYED
As the world collectively works to turn commitments made under the Global Biodiversity Framework into action, one of the main focuses of COP16 was on updated National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). By the end of the Conference, only 44 out of 196 Parties – less than a third – had submitted revised plans. With only five years left to achieve the ambition set in Montreal to protect the world’s biodiversity, it is critical that this number rises rapidly, especially as they are the main vehicle for implementation of the Framework and, ultimately, the Convention’s objectives. Encouragingly, 119 Parties submitted national targets aligned with the Framework, marking the first step towards delivering comprehensive NBSAPs, and thus signalling Parties’ ongoing efforts to do so.
Yet, ensuring that these strategies are effectively turned into action will require the provision of sufficient, predictable and accessible means of implementation. The mobilisation of financial resources for biodiversity action was one of the main items negotiated at COP16, but discussions stalled and decisions got postponed, risking to delay the implementation of the Framework. Still, eight countries, including France, the UK and New Zealand, pledged millions to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund, raising total contributions made in 2024 to nearly $400 million. While significant, this falls short of the Framework’s goal to mobilise at least $200 billion annually by 2030, and calls for significantly larger investments from all sources, both public and private.
Also referred to as “the COP of People”, COP16 marked the formal recognition of the role of Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) as stewards of Nature, as well as their invaluable knowledge to deliver on the Global Biodiversity Framework. In the last stretch of the negotiations, a Subsidiary body was established to ensure IPLCs’ full and effective participation in the implementation of the Framework – an awaited decision which will elevate their voice in the CBD.
A BLUE MOMENTUM AT COP16
The ocean community rallied to elevate the profile of the ocean, ensuring delegates entered negotiations with the idea that “Nature Is Also Blue” clearly in mind – an omnipresent message, from the first steps in Cali’s airport to stickers scattered across the venue. This momentum culminated on Ocean Day organised by the CBD Secretariat. On this occasion, the Ocean & Climate Platform, supported by several partners, successfully launched the “Ocean Breakthroughs” at COP16. They identify a set of positive tipping points in five key ocean sectors to deliver on Nature, Climate, and People goals. The visibility of the ocean extended far beyond the Ocean Day, with numerous sessions dedicated to key ocean issues, such as sustainable fisheries and marine conservation, and several non-state actors seized these opportunities to announce new initiatives, tools and investments. The CBD Secretariat hailed COP16 as “the biggest CBD Ocean COP. It was not crafted to be, but the Ocean community made this an Ocean COP”.
A number of Parties also championed the ocean agenda, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS) – or rather “Large Ocean States”, more visible and active than in past biodiversity COPs, such as Seychelles who called for more prominent work on marine and coastal biodiversity in the convention. In an effort to demonstrate progress, the Maldives announced to have reached the protection of 14% of their coral reefs, with more areas slated for protection by 2030, and the Azores announced the creation of the largest Marine Protected Area (MPA) network in the North Atlantic. These announcements are significant and testify of a clear commitment to ocean protection, which should be concretely reflected in national strategies. An in-depth analysis of the revised NBSAPs will be crucial to reveal the extent to which ocean-based solutions are integrated, especially since 39 out of the 44 submissions were made by island or coastal countries.
TWO MAJOR DECISIONS TO ADVANCE OCEAN PROTECTION ADOPTED
After 8 years of negotiations, Parties adopted an historic decision on Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) – a scientific and technical process aimed to describe areas that are particularly important for marine and coastal biodiversity. This decision, in which Parties agreed on new modalities for EBSA modification or description, marks a critical step toward safeguarding marine biodiversity, as the information collected can inform meaningful conservation measures. Indeed, EBSAs may be designated within a country’s exclusive economic zone, as well as in areas beyond national jurisdiction and, as such, are a key instrument not only for the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework but also for the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement). This decision is particularly significant in light of a recent report indicating that only 8.4% of the ocean and coastal areas are estimated to be protected and conserved, far from the target set by the Framework to effectively conserve and manage at least 30% of marine and coastal areas by 2030.
Furthermore, Parties agreed on the revision of the Programme of Work on marine and coastal biodiversity, setting new priorities of action to support their efforts. Nineteen areas requiring greater focus have been identified, with some of particular relevance for the ocean, climate and biodiversity nexus such as the need to “map, monitor, restore and effectively manage marine and coastal ecosystems that contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation (…)” and to “enhance the use of nature-based solutions and/or ecosystem-based approaches across a variety of coastal and marine ecosystems”. While the revision of the Programme of Work was necessary to ensure the achievement of the Global Biodiversity Framework, Parties also recognised that guidance already exists on how to protect and sustainably use marine and coastal biodiversity, and that it should be fully implemented.
While these decisions focus on the ocean, the latter is cross-cutting in the framework and is therefore relevant to other items of negotiations. That includes a decision on the Monitoring Framework – a key tool to measure and assess progress towards achieving the global biodiversity goals, which Parties have unfortunately not agreed on before leaving Cali. Historically, the ocean has long been overlooked in national strategies, but ensuring its representation in the Monitoring Framework, through the adoption of dedicated indicators, is crucial to ensure Parties take meaningful and robust ocean-based measures. At this stage, the ocean is relatively well-represented, but many indicators remain optional and their adoption will depend on each country’s willingness to integrate them. Reaching an agreement on indicators is particularly urgent, since Parties are now developing their NBSAPs, and the next COP, in 2026, is set to feature the first global review of the Framework’s implementation.
PAVING THE WAY FOR ENHANCED SYNERGIES ACROSS UN CONVENTIONS
At COP16, building synergies between climate and nature, including through the alignment of national biodiversity and climate plans emerged as a priority. UN Secretary-General António Guterres not only called all countries to present clear, ambitious and detailed plans to align with the Framework’s targets, but also stressed that “(they) should be developed in coordination with Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans – with positive outcomes in the Sustainable Development Goals.” A message championed by the Ocean & Climate Platform, in its policy brief “Blue Thread: Aligning National Climate and Biodiversity Strategies” which explores how ocean-based solutions can help address both the biodiversity and climate crises. Several countries took the message forward, including Brazil, who will preside over the UNFCCC COP30 in 2025 – a promising step toward enhanced synergies across the conventions. An open letter “Cali to Belém”, to Presidents Gustavo Petro (Colombia) and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Brazil) signed by over 70 civil society representatives also emphasised the message. While the growing consensus is a hopeful sign, the challenge lies in translating this vision into concrete policies.
Recognising initial progress made, the adoption of a decision on biodiversity and climate change called for the implementation of these synergies. Parties underscored that achieving global biodiversity goals depends on immediate and effective climate action, including reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, while emphasising nature’s essential role in mitigating and adapting to climate change. It also acknowledges the ocean’s key role in climate regulation and refers to the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogues 2023 and 2024, which also stressed the need for strengthened institutional linkages to enhance global ambition and action for a climate-resilient ocean. All Conventions’ bodies are encouraged to act accordingly: Parties, by considering both current and projected climate impacts and climate policies when implementing the Framework, and the Conventions’ Secretariats, through enhanced collaboration. Furthermore, the Decision invites all relevant stakeholders to submit by May 2025 their views on options to enhance cooperation and policy coherence between the biodiversity and climate regimes, including through the establishment of a potential joint work programme of the three Rio Conventions (CBD, UNFCCC and UN Convention to Combat Desertification) – as recommended in the “Blue Thread” policy brief.
The discussion on synergies extended past the Climate Convention, considering in particular the BBNJ Agreement which was raised frequently both within and beyond the negotiation rooms. Non-state actors are already gearing up for rapid delivery of the Agreement, once it enters into force. A consortium of 11 philanthropies including Bezos Earth Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Oceans 5, announced a $51.7 million pledge to accelerate the development of high-quality MPAs in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Meanwhile, a group of civil society organisations launched the High Seas MPA Accelerator which aims to foster collaboration and streamline efforts to fast-track the development of proposals for a connected and effective network of high quality, well managed High Seas MPAs.
LOOKING AHEAD
COP16 delivered mixed outcomes, showing a certain commitment to biodiversity protection, but significant disagreements on how to effectively support this ambition. The message that “Nature is Also Blue” resonated strongly, with COP16 being the “bluest CBD COP ever”, but carrying this message forward will also require reaching an agreement on the means of implementation, including financial resources. A second part of COP16 should be organised in the coming months to agree on the remaining draft decisions, and it will be important to keep the momentum of Cali high to achieve this progress. In the meantime, similar discussions will be held at UNFCCC COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan (11-22 November 2024) where focus will be placed on defining a new collective quantified goal for climate finance and the submission of new, more ambitious climate strategies – due by February 2025. The ocean, our blue thread across these different regimes, can help us navigate these complex waters, as the solutions it provides are uniquely positioned to help deliver on Climate, Nature and People.
* Protected Planet Report 2024; WCPA, IUCN, UNEP-WCMC, Protected Planet. URL
Authors: Cyrielle Lâm and Marine Lecerf, with the support of Anaïs Deprez and Maud Chevalier