COP16

  • The 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is currently underway in Cali, Colombia.
  • COP16 aims to protect global biodiversity and restore natural ecosystems.

About Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

  • Legally binding treaty established in 1993 to conserve biological diversity for human welfare.
  • Covers all ecosystems, species, and genetic resources.
  • Opened for signature at the 1992 Earth Summit (Rio Conference).
  • Secretariat: Montreal, Canada; operates under UNEP.
  • Members: All UN member states except the USA.

Objectives

  • Conservation of biological diversity.
  • Sustainable use of its components.
  • Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources.

Key Protocols

  • Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2003): Safe handling of living modified organisms (LMOs).
  • Nagoya Protocol (2014): Access and benefit-sharing(ABS) of genetic resources.
  • ABS Clearing-House: Facilitates information exchange and legal transparency.
  • Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol (2018): Liability and redress for LMOs.

Goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework( COP 15)

  • Finalized at COP15 in Montreal (2022).
  • Consists of 4 goals and 23 targets to be achieved by 2030.
  • Major focus:
    • Protect 30% of the world’s lands and oceans.
    • Restore 30% of degraded lands and water by 2030.

 Key Issues Addressed at COP16

  • Digital Sequencing Data: Negotiating access to information on plants, animals, and microorganisms, which is crucial for scientific advancements in biotechnology and agriculture.
  • Access and Benefit Sharing Mechanisms:
    • Discussions are centered on equitable mechanisms for sharing benefits of resources, particularly with indigenous communities.
    • Nagoya Protocol (established in 2010) laid foundational principles for access rights and benefits for countries of origin.

Extent of Threat to Natural Ecosystems(COP 16 Data)

  • 1 Million Species are at risk of extinction in the coming decades.
  • 75% of Land is significantly altered due to human activities.
  • 400 Million Hectares of Forests lost between 1990 and 2020.
  • 1.44% of High Seas have protected status.
  • Plastic Pollution: Estimated 75-199 million tons in oceans, leading to severe ecosystem damage.
  • Extinction Rate of Species: Currently 100 to 1,000 times faster than normal.

Solutions to the Threat:

Momentum for 30 x 30 Initiative

  • Targets: To protect 30% of land and oceans by 2030.
  • Major global conservation organizations are working toward this goal.
  • National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) are crucial for implementation.

The High Seas Treaty

  • Known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement.
  • Ratified by 98 countries.
  • Expected to be implemented by COP16 for a more effective governance of the high seas, covering nearly 60% of the world’s oceans.

Importance of Finance in Biodiversity Protection

  • Financial discussions are crucial for implementation.
  • Target 19.1 of the Kunming-Montreal Framework focuses on mobilizing USD 200 billion annually by 2030 from public and private sources.
  • Funded activities should support conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, with at least USD 20 billion allocated for developing countries by 2025, increasing to USD 30 billion by 2030.

COP16 provides a vital platform for global cooperation in the protection of biodiversity, with key targets like the “30 x 30” initiative, which aims to protect 30% of the world’s lands and oceans by 2030. As the world faces unprecedented biodiversity threats, the implementation of agreements like the High Seas Treaty and the mobilization of substantial financial resources will be crucial in securing a sustainable and biodiverse future for generations to come.

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