Our guide to the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16)

This guide from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) outlines the objectives and structure of the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16), held in Cali, Colombia, from 21 October to 1 November 2024. It focuses on the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and SEI's role in providing scientific research to support these goals.

• The UN Biodiversity Conference consists of three distinct meetings: the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16), the 11th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol (CP-MOP 11), and the 5th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol (NP-MOP 5).
• COP16 focuses on the delivery of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a deal signed by 196 countries, including the European Union, which aims to "halt and reverse" biodiversity loss by 2030. Key components of the framework include four goals for 2050, 23 targets for 2030, and the "30×30" formula to conserve 30% of global land, waters, and seas by 2030.
• Negotiations at COP16 center on the implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), monitoring and accountability mechanisms, technology collaboration, and resource mobilization. Specifically, COP15 mandated that high-income countries mobilize USD 30 billion for low-income countries by 2030, supported by the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF).
• Colombia is hosting COP16 under the theme "Peace with Nature," positioning it as a "people’s COP" with a focus on Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The event features a public Green Zone expected to attract 150,000 participants, which is roughly ten times the number of accredited attendees in the official Blue Zone.
• SEI is contributing to COP16 by sharing research on the bioeconomy, coastal resilience, land and ocean governance, and the biodiversity impact of consumption. To support Target 16 of the Global Biodiversity Framework, SEI York’s Sustainable Consumption and Production team created the Global Environmental Impacts of Consumption (GEIC) Indicator.

APA

Green, J. (2024). Our guide to the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16). Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/features/our-guide-to-the-un-biodiversity-conference-cbd-cop16/

Chicago

Green, Jonathan. Our guide to the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16). Stockholm Environment Institute, 2024. https://www.sei.org/features/our-guide-to-the-un-biodiversity-conference-cbd-cop16/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Green |first1=Jonathan |title=Our guide to the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16) |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=27 September 2024 |url=https://www.sei.org/features/our-guide-to-the-un-biodiversity-conference-cbd-cop16/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{green2024our, author = {Green, Jonathan}, title = {{Our guide to the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16)}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2024}, month = sep, url = {https://www.sei.org/features/our-guide-to-the-un-biodiversity-conference-cbd-cop16/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }