COP16 in Cali, Colombia: Connecting Biodiversity, Culture, and Community
COP16 in Cali, Colombia, reinforced global commitments to biodiversity, focusing on policy, funding, and community-led conservation. For EU-funded projects, key takeaways include new regulations, increased funding, and stricter biodiversity compliance. Discussions emphasized protecting high-biodiversity regions, integrating Indigenous knowledge, and tackling invasive species. Cali’s Green Zone fostered collaboration among experts, while its vibrant culture highlighted the deep connection between nature and heritage. As global strategies evolve, COP16’s outcomes will shape the future of EU biodiversity initiatives.
Jorge BARONA
10/21/20242 min read
The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) recently brought people from around the world to Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1, 2024. This year’s event focused on strengthening global efforts to protect biodiversity, improving legal frameworks, and promoting cultural exchange and community involvement—all aimed at achieving the ambitious Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) goals. Now, a few weeks after the event's conclusion, I’ve reflected on some key takeaways and insights from the discussions and outcomes.
Combining policy discussions with community-led initiatives and cultural events, COP16 highlighted the need for global teamwork to protect nature. For those of us working in EU-funded projects, it provided valuable insights into new biodiversity regulations, compliance requirements, and funding opportunities.
COP16 reinforced the Kunming-Montreal GBF’s goal to protect 30% of the world’s land and sea areas by 2030. This year, the emphasis was on strengthening regulations, encouraging cross-sector partnerships, and building capacity. For EU-funded initiatives, like those within Horizon Europe, COP16 emphasized the importance of aligning with global biodiversity standards and supporting conservation in biodiversity-rich areas like Colombia.
At COP16, participants discussed major topics impacting biodiversity efforts, including those in funding initiatives such as Horizon Europe and others similar. Key priorities included updating projects to meet new regulations, boosting funding, and finding creative legal solutions. There was a strong push for more public and private investment, with new funding options emerging from initiatives like the Global Environment Facility and biodiversity bonds.
COP16 also highlighted the need to protect Indigenous knowledge, urging biodiversity projects to respect Indigenous rights alongside environmental and human rights. The conference promoted strategies for integrating biodiversity and climate goals, supporting sustainable land use, restoration of wetland, and ecosystem protection. Marine conservation was a key priority, with the new High Seas Treaty signaling a global commitment to stronger ocean protections, which will guide future biodiversity projects.
What This Means for EU Biodiversity Projects.
COP16’s outcomes have important implications for EU-funded biodiversity work, especially under Horizon Europe Initiatives, among others:
Increased Funding and Compliance: Participating nations committed to raising biodiversity funding, with a focus on projects that meet emerging biodiversity standards.
Prioritizing Biodiversity-Rich Regions: Emphasis was placed on protecting high-biodiversity ecosystems like the Amazon, which means that EU projects will likely need to adhere to stricter biodiversity guidelines.
Invasive Species Action Plan: COP16 introduced a framework to address invasive species, guiding EU restoration projects to align with both EU and international biodiversity laws.
