COP-16: Focus on Biodiversity Goals and Financial Mechanisms

The 16th Conference of Parties (COP-16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) took place in Cali, Colombia, concluding in early November 2024.

What is COP? 

• The COP is the supreme decision-making body of the Convention. 
• All States that are Parties to the Convention are represented at the COP, at which they review the implementation of the Convention and any other legal instruments that the COP adopts.
• They also take decisions necessary to promote the effective implementation of the Convention, including institutional and administrative arrangements

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Key Highlights of COP-16

• Continued effort on Biodiversity conservation: Building on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) established in 2022, this COP was a significant step in advancing global biodiversity targets.
  • The KMGBF set 23 action-oriented targets for 2030, such as the ’30-by-30′ goal to protect 30% of land and water. 
• Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health: At COP 16 participating nations endorsed a comprehensive Global Action Plan that bridges biodiversity conservation and public health objectives.
  • This integrated strategy aims to achieve three interconnected goals: reducing the risk of diseases jumping from animals to humans, lowering the incidence of non-communicable diseases, and fostering ecosystem health.
  • The plan recognizes the fundamental links between environmental and human health outcomes.
• Digital Sequence Information (DSI) Agreement: One of the most debated issues was DSI, or “benefit-sharing” from genetic resources.
  • Countries were divided over how benefits from the use of genetic data in commercial products (like medicines) should be shared with the countries and communities where these resources are found. 
• Strategy for Resource Mobilization: Discussions at COP-16 highlighted the need for innovative funding mechanisms and the involvement of indigenous communities in biodiversity efforts.
  • The estimated annual requirement for biodiversity targets is $200 billion, but so far, only a fraction of this amount has been committed.
  • The Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF), launched at COP 16 with a US $200 million contribution from the Government of China. The KBF supports accelerated action to deliver 2030 Agenda and SDG targets and 2050 goals of the KMGBF particularly in developing countries.
• Cali Fund: COP16 in Cali, Colombia, marked the establishment of a new financial mechanism known as the Cali Fund. 
  • This initiative addresses the growing importance of digital genetic data by creating a framework for fair profit-sharing between those who utilize genetic sequences and the communities from which these resources originate.
  • In keeping with the Convention’s core principles of equitable benefit-sharing, the fund has committed to directing at least 50% of its resources to Indigenous Peoples and local communities, using both direct disbursement and governmental channels.

• Synthetic Biology: Synthetic biology was a prominent topic at COP 16, with an eye toward its potential benefits while considering the risks. 
  • To boost developing countries’ participation in synthetic biology, COP 16 introduces a thematic action plan for capacity-building, technology transfer, and knowledge-sharing. 
  • This initiative aids countries in safely leveraging synthetic biology technologies to foster innovation and protect biodiversity.
• Indigenous Representation: A subsidiary body involving indigenous groups in biodiversity discussions was established, acknowledging their role in conservation.
• Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs): COP 16 agreed on a new and evolved process to identify ecologically or biologically significant marine areas (EBSAs).
  • Under the CBD, work on EBSAs, which identifies the most critical and vulnerable parts of the ocean, began in 2010 and became a central area of ocean-related work.
• Invasive Alien Species: COP 16’s decision on invasive alien species addresses one of the top five direct drivers of biodiversity loss, highlighting the need for international cooperation, capacity-building, and technical support for developing countries.
  • It proposes guidelines for managing invasive alien species, touching on issues such as e-commerce, multicriteria analysis methodologies and others.

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India at COP 16 to CBD

• India presented its updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), aligning with KMGBF targets. 
• India’s biodiversity targets focus on reversing biodiversity loss by 2030, with a longer-term vision to live in harmony with nature by 2050.
• India announced an estimated expenditure of ₹81,664 crore for biodiversity and conservation from 2025-30, up from ₹32,207 crore spent from 2018-22.
• The Indian emphasized the need for international finance to achieve its targets, citing the requirement for $30 billion in international funding to mobilize the total $200 billion goal.

Major Targets in India’s Updated NBSAP

• Protection Goals: India pledged to protect 30% of its terrestrial and marine areas by 2030, with a specific emphasis on biodiversity-rich and ecologically significant areas.
• Ecosystem Restoration: Efforts will be directed toward restoring degraded ecosystems like forests and wetlands and managing coastal and marine areas sustainably.
• Reduction of Threats: This includes managing invasive species, pollution, climate impacts, and land-use changes, with the aim of achieving near-zero biodiversity loss.

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Policy Framework and Implementation Approach

• India’s biodiversity policy framework, guided by the Biological Diversity Act of 2002 and its recent amendments, sets a robust structure for conservation.
• The three-tier system, with the National Biodiversity Authority, State Boards, and local management committees, will support the implementation of the updated NBSAP.
• Governance: The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) coordinates India’s biodiversity efforts.
• Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society Approach: India’s approach emphasizes collaboration across government, sectors, and communities.
• Local Community Involvement: The plan stresses bottom-up implementation, focusing on ecosystem-based management.

India’s Conservation Initiatives and Achievements

• India has made substantial progress in biodiversity conservation, doubling its Ramsar sites from 26 to 85 since 2014, and is projected to reach 100 sites.
• India also launched the International Big Cat Alliance, aiming to protect major big cat species as indicators of ecosystem health. 
• India’s efforts in river basin and coastal management prioritize ecosystems with high biodiversity.

Challenges in Biodiversity Conservation in India

• Policy Execution Gaps: While targets are ambitious, inconsistencies in implementing biodiversity policies hinder progress.
• Development vs. Environment: Infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive areas and compensatory afforestation often prioritize plantations over native ecosystems.
• Limited Species Focus: Conservation efforts tend to prioritize protected areas, leaving vulnerable species outside these areas underprotected.
• Weak Legislation: Current environmental laws are insufficient for comprehensive habitat preservation and ecosystem restoration.

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Way Forward

• Strengthen Implementation: Enhance coordination among agencies and ensure on-ground policy execution.
• Promote Ecosystem-Based Afforestation: Focus on native species and habitat restoration over monoculture plantations.
• Expand Protection Scope: Broaden conservation efforts to include species and ecosystems beyond protected zones.
• Tighten Environmental Laws: Update legislation to prioritize natural habitat preservation.