NbSI at COP16: What we’re doing, what’s happening, and what outcomes we’re hoping for

As global leaders gather for COP16, it is time to turn commitments into action for nature, climate, and equity. From the ground in Cali, the NbSI team brings insights and updates as we lead Oxford's delegation, co-coordinate the Academic & Research caucus, contribute to side events, and advocate for high-integrity nature-based solutions, rights-based approaches and biodiversity-climate synergies. October 28, 2024

The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity is now well underway in Cali, Colombia, bringing together nearly 190 nations to tackle the critical challenge of reversing biodiversity loss, addressing the interconnected climate crisis, and improving well being globally. This COP is particularly significant as it is the first since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) at COP15, and the key overarching question is how countries will fulfil their pledge to protect at least 30% of the world’s land and water and restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030. In other words, how will countries translate their commitments into concrete actions on the ground.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres described it as an opportunity to “make peace with nature” and turn the framework into a lived reality. Known as the “people’s COP,” it emphasises inclusive, equitable solutions that prioritise Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.

What NbSI Is doing at COP16

As negotiations progress, with much at stake, we are working to strengthen the link between science and policy with a focus on the role of high integrity nature-based solutions in aligning policy action on climate and biodiversity.

We’re taking a multi-layered approach:

We are collaborating with NGOs in direct communication with negotiators to help ensure that the most up-to-date scientific insights are reflected in decision texts. This includes facilitating connections between the Academia and Research Organisations Group—which we are coordinating and of which the Oxford delegation is part—and coalitions like the Friends of Synergies group.

Participating in side events, we are helping to enhance understanding of the potential of high-integrity NbS not only to help mitigate climate change by enhancing carbon storage and reducing emissions but also to support adaptation to climate change and other societal goals. This week we are sharing our recent study showing how investment in nature-based solutions can support economic recovery. Stay tuned.

We are advocating for the alignment of biodiversity and climate action based on scientific evidence, emphasising the importance of prioritising the protection of high-integrity ecosystems—those that are biodiverse, healthy, connected, and community-stewarded— as these show greatest resilience to climate impacts and harbour most of Earth’s biodiversity. To this end, we are actively monitoring the negotiations on agenda item 25, which addresses the links between biodiversity and climate action.

We are doubling down on what counts as a nature-based solution. It is crucial to clearly define NbS, ensuring they genuinely embody community involvement, biodiversity enhancement, and human rights-based approaches. We are committed to keeping these principles at the forefront of discussions.

We have organised Oxford’s largest delegation to a biodiversity COP, reflecting our commitment to integrating the best evidence into policy and aligning efforts on biodiversity and climate. We aim to elevate biodiversity loss to the same level of urgency as climate change, ensuring both crises are addressed concurrently.

Key issues so far

During the first week, some progress has been reported on addressing the root causes of biodiversity loss, sustainable management of wildlife and on establishing collaborations among countries that are attempting to integrate nature into policies for agriculture, education, and health. Perhaps most welcome, is the universal recognition of the critical importance of ensuring that diverse values and knowledge systems guide practical actions on the ground and that robust flows of finance must be secured to IPLCs.

Ongoing discussions are centred on strengthening synergies between climate and nature initiatives, as addressed in agenda item 25, which relates to Target 8 of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Additionally, deliberations are underway on Article 8J, involving new proposals for a work programme and the establishment of a permanent body to provide institutional support, ensuring the full and meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the Convention’s efforts.

A key challenge under agenda item 25, focusing on biodiversity and climate change, is paragraph 5, which aims to optimise co-benefits and synergies in financing while avoiding double counting of biodiversity and climate funds. Developing countries, in particular, have raised concerns that double counting could reduce overall financing for their biodiversity and climate initiatives. This issue ties into ongoing discussions on resource mobilisation, and deliberations are in progress for a resolution. Another important aspect is paragraph 14, which may propose steps to enhance cooperation between the CBD and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), including potential wording on a Joint Work Programme across the conventions, or more likely, on a joint CBD/UNFCCC expert meeting on biodiversity and climate change in 2025, to further explore other options, and to prepare a summary report of this expert meeting for consideration prior to COP17.

Despite progress, substantial divisions remain, particularly regarding resource mobilisation and benefit-sharing from the use of genetic resources. Moreover, as of the end of the first week, only 34 countries and the European Union (representing 18% of Parties) have submitted revised National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), with 115 countries (59% of Parties) revising their national targets. Colombia, as the COP16 Presidency holder, set an ambitious tone by submitting a strong NBSAP on the opening day, providing an example for others. Nevertheless, we need to see all parties submitting robust NBSAPs, ideally aligned with NDCs and NAPs, over the coming months.

It remains uncertain whether disagreements over how to mobilise adequate financial support for the implementation of the KMGBF will be resolved in the coming days.

Our hopes for NbS at COP16

We have several key outcomes relevant to scaling nature-based solutions that we’re hoping for at COP16:

• Synergies between climate and biodiversity action
  We hope that COP16 will strengthen the synergies between policy and action for biodiversity, climate, and social equity. This includes aligning National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). We believe that Colombia’s leadership will be crucial in achieving this alignment, setting a precedent for cross-convention collaboration through agenda items like 13 (Cooperation) and 25 (Biodiversity and Climate Change). Strong commitments from Colombia and other parties could establish a clear pathway for collaboration, benefiting future COPs, including COP30 in Brazil.
• Centring justice and equity
  NbS must be co-designed and implemented in close collaboration with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), who are the primary stewards of biodiversity. We hope that the decision text has strong commitments to human rights-based approaches, explicitly protecting the rights of IPLCs, women, and marginalised groups. Empowering these communities is crucial for achieving both effective biodiversity conservation and social equity, ensuring that NbS provide fair, inclusive, and genuinely sustainable outcomes.
• Ensuring ecosystem integrity
  Protecting ecosystem integrity is essential for the long-term success of NbS. This means enhancing ecosystem health and resilience, while supporting critical services like carbon sequestration, water regulation, and biodiversity conservation. COP16 should maintain strong language that emphasises the importance of integrity and resilience, ensuring that NbS continue to provide sustained environmental benefits that humanity relies upon.
• Safeguards against greenwashing
  Robust safeguards are needed to prevent NbS from being used as a cover for greenwashing or harmful carbon offsetting schemes. True climate action must not come at the expense of biodiversity or the well-being of local communities. We therefore need mechanisms that enforce these safeguards, ensuring that NbS do not perpetuate environmental and social harm or serve merely as superficial carbon offsetting tools.
• Embracing complexity and building resilience
  NbS must consider the complexity of ecological and social systems, which requires adaptive governance frameworks that evolve in response to real-world outcomes. We therefore hope  for some language that reflects this.
•  Accountability and transparency
  Accountability is vital for the success of NbS. We call for robust monitoring and reporting systems to track progress and ensure transparency. NbS initiatives must adhere to high standards with clear, open governance and decision-making processes. Strengthening accountability mechanisms will ensure that NbS deliver measurable and verifiable benefits, building trust in these solutions and their implementation.

 

Keep up-to-date with our work at COP16 on LinkedIn and X.

Read our newly released NbS Conference 2024 Report to explore key actions for COP16 and beyond: Growing Positive Change Report.