The Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, also called 16th UN Biodiversity Conference (“COP16”) took place from October 21 to November 1, 2024 in Cali, Colombia. Leaders from almost 200 countries came together to discuss how to take care of biodiversity loss and stop environmental degradation.
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What have countries agreed to do to tackle biodiversity loss?
A historic agreement called the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (“KM-GBF”) was created at the 15th UN Biodiversity Conference in Canada in 2022, to protect and conserve at least 30% of the world’s land and ocean by 2030. This agreement aims to “halt and reverse” biodiversity’s decline by 2030, and for humans to live “in harmony with nature” by 2050 to deliver “benefits essential for all people”. This agreement includes mechanisms to finance conservation projects.
However, the progress in this regard has been limited. A very huge amount of money is required to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. It is estimated that $700 billion is needed to fill the ‘biodiversity funding gap’.
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Important outcomes at COP16
Even though COP16 has come to an end, the rich countries failed to agree on how much money they should pay to protect nature. However, the countries reached an agreement on how to involve local communities and indigenous people in efforts to preserve ecosystems and conserve wildlife.
The countries also agreed to prepare a Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health to prevent future pandemics like COVID-19, reduce destruction of habitats, and promote sustainability.
India commits to look after its biodiversity
India has launched its updated biodiversity action plan known as the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan at COP16. India aims to protect at least 30% of its land, inland water, and coastal and marine areas by 2030, in line with global biodiversity targets.
India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries. It became a party to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in 1994. It has 7-8% of the world’s recorded species within just 2.4% of the global land area.
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India has set biodiversity goals like:
Addressing major threats to biodiversity: Land and sea use changes, pollution, species overuse, climate change, and invasive alien species.
Focussing on restoring ecosystems: Managing species and genetic diversity,
and ensuring the legal, sustainable use of wild species.
What is Biodiversity?
The variety of all life on Earth, including fungus, bacteria, plants, and animals, is known as biodiversity. Together they provide us with everything necessary for survival – including fresh water, clean air, food and medicines. A rich variety of living things work together and are dependent on each other.
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