COP16: The Role of Technology in Global Biodiversity
With wildlife populations plummeting by 69% over the past five decades, the urgent need for humans to harmonise their existence with nature is undeniable.
The 16th gathering of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16), running from 21 October to 1 November 2024 in Cali, Colombia, aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.
This deadline is now only six years away.
This is the first Biodiversity COP since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at COP15 in December 2022 in Montreal, Canada.
COP16 also serves as the 11th meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the fifth meeting under the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilisation.
A critical goal for COP16 attendees is to ratify and enforce the methodology for the equitable dispersion of advantages derived from the utilisation of digital sequence information on genetic resources.
H.E. Susana Muhamad, Minister of Environment of Colombia, says: "This is going to be a great opportunity for one of the most biodiverse nations in the world.
“This event sends a message from Latin America to the world about the importance of climate action and the protection of life.
“It highlights the commitment of Colombia, of President Gustavo Petro and the entire country, to preserve our planet."
The difference between COP16 and COP29
COP29 is scheduled to take place in 2024 from 11 to 22 November. This is the meeting for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
COP16 is the meeting for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and is focussed on the biodiversity crisis.
The UNFCCC meetings occur annually, whereas the Convention on Biological Diversity congregations are biennial.
Attendees of COP16 will assess how well nations have engaged with and implemented the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Those attending are expected to show how their biodiversity strategies align with the framework and advance resource mobilisation.
The foundations of COP16
The CBD originated in 1992 and formally took effect in 1993. All UN member states have ratified the convention, except the United States.
The inaugural Biodiversity COP was hosted in Nassau, Bahamas, in 1994 and usually takes place every two years.
Initially set for Turkey, COP16 was relocated to Colombia following a succession of earthquakes in 2023.
The Biodiversity COP theme for 2024 is “Peace with Nature”.
The logo for COP16 represents an Inírida flower with hard petals that can retain their shape for years after being cut.
David Cooper, Acting Executive Secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, says: “The flower is endemic to Guainía and is a flower that never dies, its petals never fall apart.
“We hope that the COP16 in Colombia can help the world to make peace with nature, so that we can sustain and maintain life on the planet forever"
The role of technology in biodiversity
While technology isn't a word typically associated with biodiversity, it is playing a big role in the worldwide efforts to become nature positive by 2030.
IBM and the WWF have partnered to create an AI solution to tracking African forest elephants, supporting biodiversity in rainforests.
Oday Abbosh, Global Sustainability Services Leader at IBM Consulting, says: “By combining our expertise in technology and sustainability with WWF's conservation expertise, we aim to leverage the power of technology to create a more sustainable future."
High-tech mapping tools that combine remote sensing, AI and statistical modelling can provide insights into species distribution and movement on a global scale.
Drones equipped with multispectral and thermal imaging can monitor plant health, detect invasive species and survey difficult-to-access areas.
DNA sampling and genomic processing can also support biodiversity. eDNA sampling can detect species' presence in water or soil samples and gene sequencing can help to assess genetic diversity and population health.
Lorenzo Saa, Chief Sustainability Officer at Clarity AI, says: "Fortunately, advancements in technology, particularly in AI, are equipping us with the tools needed to integrate climate and nature, generate insights, improve decision-making, and implement effective strategies.
"As COP16 unfolds, it’s essential that we elevate the discussion on the nature-climate nexus, embracing these frameworks to ensure the integration of nature into investment processes.
"By doing so, we can help cultivate a resilient and sustainable global economy for the future."
Who is at COP16?
COP16 will have participation from delegates across 196 countries, including more than 100 government ministers and several heads of state.
Target 19 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework commits to mobilising US$200bn per year for biodiversity, including US$30bn through international finance.
For the first time, financial giants, including JPMorgan Chase and Standard Chartered, are attending a Biodiversity COP.
Tom Butterworth, Nature Lead at Arup, says: "This shift is happening because the biodiversity crisis has entered the boardroom.
"Firms are witnessing the real-time impacts; coffee production in decline, rice production under threat and water shortages with the potential to affect industries like brick manufacturing.
"Businesses that aim to be resilient to these risks cannot afford to ignore the link between nature and their success.
"Everyone, from an apprentice to a CEO, has a deep connection with nature, whether they realise it or not. This crisis touches everyone."
Other financial institutions in attendance include HSBC, Bank of America, Deutsche Bank and Citigroup.
Cathrine de Coninck-Lopez, Global Head of Responsible Investing at HSBC Asset Management, says she is “looking forward to furthering action and collaboration on nature in discussion with multiple stakeholders”.
COP16's attendees span a variety of industries, including Iberdrola and EY, and will focus on what needs to happen now to meet the world's biodiversity goals.
Matthew Bell, Global Climate Change Leader at EY, says: “A restorative relationship with nature could finally be on the horizon.”
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