As the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP16 wrapped up in the salsa capital of Cali, Colombia, on November 1, 2024, the biodiversity world saw some promising strides—but also plenty left on the table. The 12-day conference brought delegates from around the globe to drive forward the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) implementation, adopted two years back, and push for clearer mechanisms to track progress. But the big question is: did COP16 live up to the hype?
RISE UP also coordinated a joint statement to the parties of CBD COP16 with key policy asks. In this article, we look at the ocean-focused outcomes of COP16 and our take on the key ask from civil societies that made waves in Cali.
Bringing People-Centered Conservation to the Fore
Civil societies, Indigenous groups and many other entities championed the need for a human rights-based approach (HRBA) in biodiversity actions through National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). And COP16 took a significant step: Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) saw formal inclusion in biodiversity discussions.
In a landmark move, COP16 set up a permanent Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j), finally giving Indigenous and local voices a long-term platform in biodiversity talks. This is monumental for future environmental policies, connecting human rights and nature preservation in ways previously only discussed on the sidelines. And though the HRBA integration into NBSAPs still has a long road (only 44 parties have updated their NBSAPs), the momentum is building for a people-first conservation strategy.
High Seas Treaty Gets a Boost
The BBNJ agreement received a significant boost at COP16 with the adoption of modalities for identifying Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs). This new agreement, reached after eight years of negotiations, will provide data-driven tools and strategies to protect key marine areas, helping us move closer to the 30×30 target of conserving 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.
Countries agreed on the need for conserving High Seas ecosystems and synergies between Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNCCC) and BBNJ. Countries like Chile reaffirmed the linkages between CBD and BBNJ and urged countries to accelerate the ratification process. European Union, Belgium, Germany and philanthropic organizations like Bloomberg pledged financial support to encourage an early BBNJ implementation, a promising push for ocean conservation.
Financing Falls Short—But Not Without a Silver Lining
Funding biodiversity goals remains a sore spot. Although COP16 couldn’t finalise a robust financing strategy, it brought a noteworthy (if small) win: the Cali Fund. The fund is established as a modality for multilateral benefit-sharing from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources (DSI). Companies that generate revenue from genetic data from nature are expected to contribute 1% of profits or 0.1% of their revenue to the DSI fund. This new fund dedicates at least 50% of its resources to Indigenous Peoples, but the voluntary nature of contributions and lack of domestic legislations in this regard could be a limitation.
Still, there were highlights—seven countries (Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom) and Quebec pledged an extra $163 million to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund, raising it to nearly $396 million. But for Indigenous peoples, the key demand remains: direct access to funding, essential for translating these promises into on-the-ground impacts.
Small-Scale Fisheries: Voices Heard but Left Out of Formal Talks
Small-scale fishers came to COP16 with strong representation, particularly around the side events on human rights, sustainable fisheries and the BBNJ discussions. Yet, they found themselves largely absent from formal discussions and the Nature and Culture Summit. A press conference from small-scale fishers called for their inclusion in the GBF implementation, urging for a human rights-based approach and demanding active roles in decision-making processes. The setting up of the permanent Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) is expected to offer a platform for the small-scale fishers and fishworkers’ call.
RISE UP supported the amplification of these voices through “Voices from the Sea,” a powerful video series featured on Ocean Day, capturing small-scale fishers’ insights and hopes for COP16 and sustainable fisheries in a changing world.
Unresolved Business: Gaps in Funding, Monitoring, and Strategy
COP16 closed with unresolved issues, particularly around the financing needed for GBF targets, comprehensive monitoring frameworks, and funding for the CBD Secretariat. These gaps could slow progress on the GBF, raising questions about how effectively COP16 has set up the framework for long-term biodiversity success. The pending items will be addressed in the resumed session of COP16 later.
COP16 may have wrapped up in Cali, but the ripples of its discussions continue to spread. From advancing High Seas protections to grounding biodiversity efforts in human rights, the outcomes of COP16 mark steps forward for ocean conservation—but we wait for more action to match the ambition. As we move now from Cali to Baku for UNFCCC COP 29 – the Climate COP- and next year to Nice for the UN Ocean Conference, Rise Up will strive to make this ripple stride faster and take together the communities that rely on the ocean.
