Posted on October, 25 2024
Cali, COLOMBIA – (25 October 2024) – As the first week of the UN COP16 biodiversity conference in Colombia draws to a close, progress on key topics such as biodiversity and health, sustainable wildlife management, and addressing the drivers of biodiversity decline, have been reported. However, longstanding divisions that threaten to derail negotiations persist, including those related to mobilizing the resources needed to finance biodiversity action and establishing a multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism for nature’s genetic resources.
“Despite constructive conversations this week, and some promising progress on the ‘easier’ topics at COP16, significant trust-building is still required on the issue of finance,” says Dr. Lin Li, Senior Director of Global Policy & Advocacy at WWF International. “Countries need to move beyond merely reiterating their positions and instead seek solutions to make real progress. We’re just two months away from 2025—the deadline COP15 set for developed nations to provide US$20 billion annually to developing nations for biodiversity conservation. It’s crucial that adequate, timely, and accessible funding reaches the people and places that need it the most,” adds Li.
With COP16 focused on implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), agreed upon by 196 Parties in 2022 at COP15 in Montreal, this week revealed that while WWF applauds the countries that have submitted revised NBSAPs or National Targets, it’s noted that many countries have fallen short on their commitment to submit plans by the start of the conference.
As of the end of the first week, only 34 countries plus the EU (18% of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)) have submitted their revised National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), while 115 countries (59% of Parties) have published one or more revised National Targets. WWF urges countries that have not yet published their revised NBSAPs to do so as soon as possible, and no later than the end of 2025.
Colombia, holding the COP16 Presidency, submitted a strong NBSAP on the opening day, setting an ambitious tone. Yet, whether the longstanding divisions on finance creating an impasse can be overcome next week remains uncertain.
One of the primary issues for negotiators this week has been determining how countries will mobilize resources between 2025 and 2030 to implement the KMGBF, a key focus of the resource mobilization strategy. Central to these finance discussions is the debate over whether an additional fund should be established that is exclusively dedicated to the CBD, in addition to the temporary Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), which is managed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Some countries argue that the GBFF as well as the GEF, are not sufficiently accessible.
“Limited progress has been made this week on finance, with countries still highly divided in their views, leaving the entire text in brackets,” shared Bernadette Fischler Hooper, Global Advocacy Lead, WWF International. “Despite the complexities, there have been some constructive exchanges which are encouraging first steps, but the endpoint and duration of this journey are still entirely unclear. There is no question that biodiversity funds need to flow—and soon. WWF supports the call for contributions to the 9th GEF replenishment, and for further ambitious capitalisation of the GBFF.”
Notable progress has been reported on addressing the drivers of biodiversity decline, often termed ‘mainstreaming biodiversity.’ WWF is encouraged by the level of collaboration shown by some countries in transforming key sectors such as agriculture, food, and finance to integrate nature into decision-making. On Wildlife Management, the decision adopted includes further guidance within the Convention on where significant gaps have been identified, for example on wildlife and tourism, identified by WWF. Ongoing discussions include synergies between climate and nature actions and on Article 8J, which explores proposals for a new work program and a permanent body, to create the institutional space to fully realize the participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the work of the Convention.
“A significant number of issues remain unresolved here in Cali,” explains Guido Broekhoven, Global Head of Policy, Research & Development at WWF International. “For COP16 to succeed next week, countries must focus on making important, concrete decisions to keep the implementation of the KMGBF on track. Reaching an agreement on the path forward for finance, particularly on the question regarding a new fund, is essential. Additionally, discussions on digital sequencing information or DSI, will be a crucial element of the COP16 negotiations.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Contact: news@wwfint.org
Emma Ackerley (eackerley@wwfint.org, +44 07570 304793
Ruth Cobbe (rcobbe@wwfint.org +44 07990 711935
Resources
- Check which countries are the latest to submit their NBSAP on WWF’s Tracker
- Read WWF’s key expectations out of COP16 and what success looks like
- WWF COP16 website
- CBD Official Flickr photo library
About WWF
WWF is an independent conservation organization, with over 30 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Visit www.panda.org/news for the latest news and media resources and follow us on Twitter @WWF_media.