iDiv researchers at the Convention on Biological Diversity’s COP16

Addressing biodiversity challenges with science-based strategies

by Julia Prawitz

COP16, under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), saw iDiv researchers presenting new research and strategies for biodiversity conservation and restoration. Their participation highlighted the urgency to foster collaboration on a global scale as well as with local communities to tackle both biodiversity protection and climate change.

The 2024 COP16 aimed to accelerate the translation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) into national targets and develop robust national biodiversity monitoring systems.

Held from October 21 to November 1, COP16’s discussions sought to progress the development of fair and equitable benefit-sharing from genetic data, align National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) with the GBF, and mobilise financial resources to close the biodiversity finance gap, among other issues. The theme “Paz con la Naturaleza” (Peace with Nature) emphasised prioritising sustainable conservation efforts and peacebuilding.

Two years earlier, COP15 marked the adoption of the GBF with goals to protect 30% of global land and marine areas, restore 30% of degraded ecosystems, and close the biodiversity funding gap. This achievement was crucial for setting the stage for COP16, where the focus shifted to practically implementing these targets.

While some of the goals were reached and agreements adopted, the conference ended early with big questions unanswered regarding financing and monitoring.

iDiv’s role at COP16

At COP16, iDiv experts highlighted the importance of monitoring for effective target implementation and inclusive approaches. Four iDiv researchers contributed on-site by organising and participating in three side-events. iDiv researchers also discussed and helped edit the opening and closing statements of the Academia and Research caucus, a meeting of members from global universities and scientific organisations, advocating the crucial role of science and education in achieving biodiversity targets.

Side-events with iDiv involvement included:

• a research presentation on local communities and biodiversity;
• a session introducing;
• a presentation showcasing a joint biodiversity observation system and;
• a pavilion event on protecting Latin America’s dry forests.

Presentation: Research on local communities and biodiversity

iDiv associate member Solveig Richter (Leipzig University), Pablo Palacios and Pablo Ramos (both Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Bogotá) presented their work at a side-event titled “Justicia Ambiental en las transiciones hacia la sostenibilidad” (environmental justice in the transition to sustainability) in the negotiation area, or blue zone.

The discussion centred on their recent research, which examined intercultural approaches to ecosystem protection among Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities and strategies to link livelihoods and biodiversity management.

Colombia, in particular, has biodiversity hotspots threatened by illegal mining and deforestation, where “it is often environmental activists or Indigenous groups at the local level that protect nature but engage under high risks,” Richter, a political scientist and conflict scholar, explained.

These communities develop their own, sometimes informal, ways of adapting to ecosystem changes, which may differ from national or international frameworks, according to Richter.

Live Session: FAIR biodiversity monitoring using EBV’s Cube Ecosystem

iDiv’s Lina Estupiñán-Suárez (MLU) and Yanina Sica from Senckenberg Nature Research led a live demonstration and training session as part of a side-event hosted by GEO BON, a global network of researchers. The event, “Advancing NBSAP Reporting Using GEO BON’s EBV Data Ecosystem”, tackled one of the most-pressing issues facing countries: access to reliable data for developing and reporting on National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).

The session introduced several tools based on the Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) framework, that complement GEO BON’s objective of harmonising biodiversity data. GEO BON’s tools and data ecosystem, which include the EBV Data Portal and the EBV Cube Format, aim to streamline data standards for geospatial dataset collections useful for reporting and supporting countries in meeting GBF targets. At the same time, the EBV-ecosystem facilitates biodiversity data sharing by making it more Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR), according to the researchers.

“Data availability and accessibility emerged as central topics […] essential for creating effective, evidence-based policies,” Estupiñán-Suárez shared. These tools enable governments and organisations to improve data transparency and usability, driving science-informed biodiversity action.

Presentation: A unified biodiversity observation system to drive the GBF progress

Estupiñán-Suárez also participated as a speaker in the pavilion event, “A Global Biodiversity Observing System (GBiOS) to support the implementation and monitoring of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework by Parties”.

GBiOS, developed by GEO BON and its partners, aims to integrate and coordinate existing biodiversity monitoring tools and networks, such as regional Biodiversity Observation Networks (e.g., Asia BON, EuropaBON), the EBV Data Portal, and global data repositories,  to track global biodiversity changes effectively. Integrating these systems stands to help countries track biodiversity trends, guide policy, and ultimately meet the GBF targets.

Side-event by DryFlor Network: Protecting Latin America’s dry forest

iDiv’s Karina Banda-R (UFZ) moderated, participated in, and helped organise a discussion on safeguarding Latin America’s endangered dry forests characterised by long dry seasons.

With representatives from the IUCN, Flora & Fauna International, the World Bank, the Humboldt Institute, which hosted the event, and other international organisations, the panel explored collaborative approaches to protect these critical ecosystems.

Panellists addressed the need for science-based policy development, financial support, and locally tailored solutions to tackle the conservation challenges facing these forests.

This side-event was part of more extensive dialogues with different actors from academia, NGOs, and intergovernmental organisations. By addressing the specific needs of dry-forest regions, the event highlighted how coordinated efforts can create a specific dry-forest fund to advance biodiversity protection and sustainable development across Latin America.

iDiv researchers reflect on COP16 outcomes

While expectations for COP16 were high, and delegates adopted important decisions on biodiversity and health, benefit sharing, and the roles of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and people of African Descent, many iDiv researchers were left with mixed feelings.

“We are particularly worried that progress on the Kunming-Montreal Framework was limited and that key funding mechanisms remain unresolved”, said iDiv Speaker Henrique Miguel Pereira (MLU), noting that COP16 fell short of its goals. “In truth, the COP wasn’t closed; it was suspended because final negotiations failed to reach agreement on these critical issues.”

Richter noted some positive developments: “[there was an] unprecedented mobilisation of stakeholders and issues that were previously being discussed at the margins but are now central to biodiversity protection.” She recognised Colombia’s leadership in spotlighting essential topics and putting them on the global agenda.

“iDiv researchers underscored the need for basic biodiversity research to close gaps in monitoring, and COP16 set the foundation for establishing clear national targets, supporting the monitoring framework, and bolstering accountability across sectors,” explained Leonie Friedrich, iDiv Science-Policy Coordinator, who helped facilitate iDiv’s involvement at COP16. “But discussions need to resume urgently.”

More information and additional materials related to iDiv’s involvement at COP16 can be found here:

• B-Cubed’s policy brief regarding FAIR principles for effective biodiversity monitoring
• Opening and closing statement of Academia and Research group (available here once published)
• COP16 statement by Solveig Richter for the German Science Media Center

Contact:

Leonie Friedrich
Science-Policy Coordinator & Scientific Employee (Biodiversity and People)
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ
Phone: +49 341 9739174
Email: leonie.friedrich@idiv.de