04-November-2024-Special-Article

WHAT ARE THE KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM COP-16?

The 16th Conference of Parties (COP 16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) took place in Cali, Colombia, and brought forward essential steps in global biodiversity conservation.

At this conference, India launched its updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

COP 16 introduced multiple new initiatives, policies, and funding mechanisms to support biodiversity, aiming for fair resource sharing and sustainable use.

Key Highlights of COP-16 to the CBD

Cali Fund:

• The Cali Fund was established to ensure equitable sharing of benefits from digital sequence information (DSI) of genetic resources.
• Half of the fund will focus on supporting indigenous peoples and local communities, with an emphasis on women and youth.
• DSI refers to genomic data essential for biological and environmental research.

Permanent Subsidiary Body:

• A new body was created to protect indigenous knowledge, innovations, and traditions.
• The new Programme of Work enables indigenous peoples and local communities to actively participate in biodiversity conservation and fair resource use.

Resource Mobilization Strategy:

• A global strategy to secure $200 billion annually by 2030 for biodiversity efforts.
• China initiated the Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF) with a $200 million contribution.
• The goal includes redirecting $500 billion in subsidies that harm biodiversity toward conservation by 2030.

National Biodiversity Targets:

• Out of 196 CBD member countries, 119 have submitted national biodiversity targets under the KMGBF.
• To date, 44 countries have submitted updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans.

Synthetic Biology:

• A new action plan was adopted to address equity concerns, especially through technology transfer, knowledge-sharing, and capacity-building for developing countries.
• Synthetic biology involves creating or modifying organisms using advanced genetic engineering.

Invasive Alien Species Management:

• Guidelines were introduced for managing invasive species, including better databases, cross-border regulations, and coordination with e-commerce platforms.

Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs):

• COP 16 introduced an improved process for identifying EBSAs, which are vital marine regions for conservation.

Sustainable Wildlife Management and Plant Conservation:

• Emphasis on inclusive monitoring and management involving indigenous communities and women.
• Goals include measurable progress in plant protection to align with global biodiversity targets.

Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health:

• The action plan promotes the One Health approach, recognizing that human, animal, and ecosystem health are interconnected.
• Goals include controlling zoonotic diseases, preventing non-communicable diseases, and promoting sustainable ecosystems.

Risk Assessment:

• New guidelines were introduced under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety for assessing the risks of living modified organisms (LMOs) with engineered genes.

Recognition of People of African Descent:

• A decision was made to recognize the contribution of people of African descent to biodiversity conservation.

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF)

The KMGBF, adopted in December 2022, is a global treaty aimed at reversing biodiversity loss by 2030, aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It builds on the 2011–2020 Strategic Plan for Biodiversity.

Key Goals:

• By 2030, ensure that 30% of degraded terrestrial, inland water, marine, and coastal ecosystems are restored.
• Establishes 23 global targets for action by 2030.
• Envisions a harmonious relationship with nature by 2050.

India’s Updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)

India created its first NBSAP in 1999, updated in 2008 and 2014 to align with the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

India, a megadiverse nation, is home to over 55,000 plant species and 100,000 animal species, making biodiversity conservation critical.

Key Features of the Updated NBSAP:

Alignment with KMGBF: India’s NBSAP aligns with the KMGBF’s objectives, featuring 23 national biodiversity targets.

Focus Areas:

• Reducing Threats: Addressing factors harming biodiversity.
• Sustainable Use: Promoting the responsible use of resources.
• Ecosystem Resilience: Enhancing natural systems’ resilience.
• Species Recovery and Management: Supporting species recovery and management.

Structure: The NBSAP contains seven chapters, covering topics like context analysis, capacity-building, financing, and monitoring.

Implementation: Led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), supported by bodies like the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs), and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs).

Specific Targets:

• Conservation: Aim to conserve 30% of biodiversity-rich areas.
• Invasive Species Management: Aiming to reduce the spread of invasive species by 50%.
• Sustainable Consumption: Promote sustainable practices and reduce food waste by 50%.
• Pollution Control: Commit to halving pollution, nutrient loss, and pesticide risks.
• Benefit Sharing: Ensure equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources and digital sequence information.
• Financing: India projects Rs 81,664 crore in biodiversity funding from 2025-2030, with international finance anticipated to support these goals.
• Community Engagement: Emphasis on involving local communities, particularly those reliant on forests, in conservation efforts.

Conclusion

The 16th Conference of Parties (COP 16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity marked a significant step forward in biodiversity conservation. With the launch of the Cali Fund, global biodiversity initiatives, and India’s updated NBSAP, COP 16 reinforced commitments to equitable resource sharing and sustainable conservation efforts. These advancements underscore the urgent need for both global and local efforts to protect biodiversity for future generations.

Mains Question:

1. Discuss the significance of the 16th Conference of Parties (COP 16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in advancing global biodiversity conservation goals and India’s role in supporting these initiatives. (150 WORDS)