This blog was authored by Milloni Doshi, Project Manager, Global Engagement and Partnerships and Annie Mark, Senior Director, Global Partnerships.
Photo by Milloni Doshi at COP16
The Conference of the Parties (COP) of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a global meeting focused on conserving nature. Unlike the United Nations’ larger annual climate conferences, CBD meetings are usually smaller and have a specific focus: conserving and restoring biodiversity. In 2022, countries adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), a landmark plan aimed at halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030. Many call it the “Paris Agreement” for nature.
This year’s COP16 took place in Cali, Colombia and was the largest yet. Although discussions moved slowly and ended without a final agreement, COP16 sparked important conversations about how nature and climate are deeply connected. This was a positive development on the “Rio Trio” —a partnership between the leadership of the UN three conventions on biodiversity, climate, and desertification. These pathway ideas may help shape future climate talks, including next week’s COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, and COP30 next year in Belem, Brazil.
Pathway 1: Recognizing Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) and Their Vital Role
There were more IPLC representatives at COP16 than ever before, and their presence was strongly felt. In panels, events, and informal conversations, there was widespread recognition of the essential role IPLCs play in conserving and sustainably using natural resources. This recognition became official at COP16, with the creation of a new subsidiary body that ensures IPLCs have a permanent voice in future CBD meetings.
This new role empowers IPLCS to have a say in major decisions about conservation, including how to protect and sustainably use ecosystems. Indigenous Peoples organizations are now requesting direct funding, technical assistance and capacity building, to support their work in protecting nature most effectively. This is a crucial step toward meeting global goals like conserving 30% of ecosystems by 2030. The Global Environment Facility has pledged to direct 20% of its funds to IPLCs, and other donors should follow suit and support local leaders in conservation.
Following the formal recognition of Indigenous voices at COP16, the Climate COPs must also ensure IPLC input is a core part of future plans. This will be especially important for shaping the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), a financial initiative led by Brazil together with Colombia and other countries to protect tropical forests and biodiversity. IPLCs can use their deep knowledge of the land to guide how resources are managed most effectively, advocate for fair access to funding, and ensure decisions are transparent and inclusive. By being part of this effort, IPLCs can better protect their territories and support global conservation and climate goals. This is particularly important, as studies show significant biodiversity conservation and carbon outcomes in formally recognized Indigenous territories.
At COP16, we spoke with Indigenous leaders Onel Masardule, member of the Guna People of Panama, Milton Callera, of the Achuar People of Ecuador, Melva Paati, of the Shuar People of Ecuador, and Juan Carlos Jintiach, of the Shuar People of Ecuador, about how they viewed Indigenous participation at this year’s COP (click on their names to view their videos).
Pathway 2: Making Oceans a Priority
COP16 also saw important progress on ocean conservation. The oceans community created a blue thread that connects climate and biodiversity efforts across the Rio Conventions, becoming a model for how goals can be aligned. Oceans cover most of the Earth’s surface and host an incredible variety of life—from coastal mangroves and coral reefs to the deep-sea twilight zone, which holds 95% of ocean biomass. Oceans are also the world’s largest carbon sink, absorbing a large amount of carbon dioxide helping slow climate change, while providing food and resources for billions of people. When it comes to solutions that benefit both climate and biodiversity, protecting our oceans may offer some of the greatest potential.
This year, the importance of oceans was highlighted through an “Ocean Day” and a campaign called #NatureIsAlsoBlue, emphasizing that oceans are as vital as forests and land in protecting nature. COP16 also formally recognized the “Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue” from the UN climate space, and its stakeholders in Cali sparked new discussions about aligning ocean conservation and climate action. Ocean advocates celebrated a $51.7 million commitment from a coalition of donors to create marine protected areas on the high seas, which can have significant climate benefits. The ocean community is now taking these wins to COP29, where they’ll work to keep oceans central to climate discussions and encourage other sectors to integrate biodiversity and climate goals. By uniting these efforts, COP29 can build on COP16’s progress and set an example for connecting climate and nature solutions.
Pathway 3: Finding Smart Funding Solutions for Nature and Climate
One big challenge facing these global meetings is the funding gap needed to achieve the intertwined goals of protecting biodiversity, addressing climate change, and restoring degraded lands. At COP16, discussions ended without a clear path to securing the $200 billion per year needed to halt biodiversity loss, highlighting the urgency of finding effective financing solutions across all three Rio Conventions.
Additionally, with three major gatherings taking place within just two months, the logistical and coordination expenses are considerable. These costs add to the need for a more streamlined approach that could reduce overheads while strengthening the focus on solutions.
Public funding plays a huge role in addressing these issues, but recent reports, for climate and biodiversity, show that while funding has increased, it’s often in the form of loans rather than grants, which are easier to use for direct action. There is also growing uncertainty about whether countries will deliver on their long-term funding commitments. Major donor nations, like the U.S. and Germany, are raising concerns about their ability to fulfill their pledged support for climate and biodiversity. For instance, Germany, the world’s largest bilateral supporter of biodiversity, is grappling with budgetary and political constraints that could affect its €1.5 billion annual commitment.
Next week in Baku, many of the same leaders and representatives from COP16 will gather again at COP29 to set a new goal to finance climate solutions. After the stalled progress in Cali, it will be important for negotiators to focus not only on the quantity of funding, but especially the quality. By focusing on reliable and effective commitments, COP29 can avoid the roadblocks faced at COP16 and create lasting solutions that could be a model for both climate and biodiversity.
Looking Ahead: Building Stronger Plans to Tackle Climate and Nature Together
Future UN conferences must build from these pathways and expand efforts to tackle multiple environmental problems at the same time. The Tropical Forests Forever Facility can be an important example for this pathway. As more countries step into leadership roles — such as Armenia hosting the next CBD COP17, South Korea hosting the upcoming Our Ocean and UN Ocean Conferences, and Brazil hosting climate COP30 — there is a growing need to create solutions that address both climate and biodiversity challenges together. Time and resources are running short, and the world can’t afford to overlook these urgent issues any longer.
The real test of these initiatives will be how countries commit to aligning their biodiversity and climate goals. Each country has its own action plans for biodiversity and climate—known as NBSAPs and NDCs, respectively—that outline steps to reach national targets. At COP16, however, only 44 countries submitted updates on their biodiversity plans, highlighting the need for stronger action and coordination. With NDC updates due in 2025, countries still have time to develop more unified plans that work for both climate and nature.
Money is essential to make these plans a reality. As our leaders now turn their eyes to COP29, the finance COP, it’s critical to close the funding gaps that could stall progress. Climate and nature are inextricably linked, and by advancing one, we support the other.