As the world’s eyes turn to Cali, Colombia, for the Cop16 UN biodiversity summit, experts are sounding the alarm that the meeting will be critical for the survival of the planet’s rapidly dwindling wildlife populations. The host nation is pulling out all the stops to make this the most inclusive environmental conference in history, but will it be enough to spur real action to halt catastrophic biodiversity loss?
A Summit for the People and the Planet
Colombia has grand ambitions for Cop16 to be remembered as the “Cop of the people,” with unprecedented participation from indigenous groups, local communities, scientists and civil society. Environment minister Susana Muhamad emphasized the government’s goal of mobilizing all sectors to contribute to the care and protection of biodiversity.
“One of Colombia’s objectives is that this is recognised globally as the Cop of the people, where citizens, afro-descendant and campesino communities, Indigenous peoples, scientists, social actors and all sectors are heard and have a broad participation in the discussions.”
Susana Muhamad, Colombia’s environment minister
In a significant move, Colombia announced the creation of new indigenous-led environmental authorities, aiming to empower native communities to defend their ecosystems. However, some indigenous leaders remain skeptical that this inclusivity drive will translate into them having a real seat at the decision-making table.
Mobilizing the Masses
Organizers hope that by making Cop16 accessible to the general public through the “green zone”, which will host 1000 events, they can engage and educate citizens about the urgent biodiversity crisis. Recent surveys show:
- 46% of Colombians are worried about the state of natural resources
- 7 out of 10 would like to take action to reduce biodiversity loss
“This is an incredible opportunity to educate and mobilise them to protect the environment,” noted Ximena Barrera, WWF Colombia’s director of government affairs.
Ambitious Goals, Lackluster Progress
Cop16 marks the first meeting since world leaders made historic pledges to protect nature at the Kunming-Montreal agreement in 2022. But experts say progress has been dismal:
- Only 10% of signatories have released national action plans
- Funding is far short of the $20 billion per year needed
- A mere 2.8% of the world’s oceans are effectively protected
“The world agreed on an ambitious plan to safeguard our planet’s biodiversity. In Cali, countries now need to translate this ambition into concrete action.”
Loreley Picourt, Ocean and Climate Platform
A Tipping Point for Nature
With wildlife populations plummeting worldwide due to habitat loss, pollution and climate change, ecologists warn that ecosystems are reaching an inflection point where mass extinction could accelerate out of control. Conservationists say Cop16 is a pivotal opportunity to hash out budgets, establish oversight mechanisms and hold nations accountable for their commitments to protecting forests, rivers, oceans and species.
While optimistic that Colombia can lead by example in demonstrating how conservation benefits both nature and people, advocates worry that amid competing global priorities, this crucial biodiversity summit may struggle to get the attention and political willpower it desperately needs.
“In the midst of global elections, other key conferences and pressing issues of national and international security, this UN biodiversity conference is vying for attention on the global stage.”
Gavin Edwards, nature positive initiative secretariat
As the world’s leaders gather in the Colombian city of Cali, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the future of the planet’s magnificent and fragile web of life. conservationists hope this Cop16 summit will mark a true turning point — where the world comes together to match their ambitious rhetoric with even more ambitious action. Our survival depends on it.
