Amid Colombia’s rich tapestry of biodiversity, the UN Biodiversity Summit (COP16) concluded this weekend with mixed results, marking both significant progress and notable gaps in global conservation efforts.
Historic Steps for Indigenous Communities
In a landmark decision, COP16 established a permanent body for Indigenous Peoples and local communities, significantly enhancing their role in global conservation decisions.
The move comes alongside the creation of the innovative Cali Fund, which will channel resources from genetic research back to these communities.
Achievements:
- Agreement on Digital Sequence Information (DSI) allowing genetic data sharing
- Launch of new Finance Trends dashboards for nature finance transparency
- Development of framework for biodiversity credits market
- UK-Chile collaboration on fungal protection measures
UK’s Environmental Leadership
Environment Secretary Steve Reed and Nature Minister Mary Creagh led the UK delegation, pushing forward domestic commitments while advocating for global action. The UK government published new criteria for meeting its 30by30 targets in England, aiming to protect 30% of land and ocean by 2030.
Progress on Conservation Targets:
| Area | Current Status | 2030 Target |
|---|---|---|
| Land Protection | In Progress | 30% |
| Ocean Protection | In Progress | 30% |
| Implementation Timeline | Active | 2030 |
“The UK was back on the global stage in Cali, driving progress on nature recovery both at home and across the world,” stated Nature Minister Mary Creagh, while acknowledging that “it’s clear there is more work to do internationally.”
Unfinished Business
Despite significant progress, the summit concluded without reaching consensus on international strategies for mobilising nature finance or establishing a framework for monitoring progress against global targets. These gaps highlight the ongoing challenges in coordinating global conservation efforts.
Natural England Chair Tony Juniper emphasized the urgency, noting that
“Time to act is now rapidly running out fast and far greater determination is going to be needed to ensure the Global Biodiversity Framework is upheld.”
For more information and updates on the UK’s implementation of COP16 commitments, visit www.gov.uk/environmental-targets
Sources: THX News, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Natural England, Mary Creagh CBE MP & The Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP.
