UNCBD COP16 OUTCOMES

Why in News?

Recently COP 16 was concluded in Cali Colombia in November 2024.

What is UNCBD?

• UNCBD – United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a biennial conference that came into force in 1993, after the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) also instituted at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.

• Ratification – In total, 196 countries, including India, have ratified the CBD and are, parties to the COP.
• US is the only UN member state not to have ratified the treaty.
• Objectives of CBD

• The conservation of biological diversity
• The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity
• The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources

• Supplementary Agreements
  • Cartagena Protocol of 2003 – Ensure the safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology.
  • Nagoya Protocol of 2014 – Sharing the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way. 

• Global Biodiversity Framework - The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was adopted in COP 15.
  • It sets 4 goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030.

To know about UNCBD COP – 15, Click here

What are the outcomes of COP 16?

• Cali Fund – It was launched with a focus on ensuring fair and equitable distribution of benefits derived from digital sequence information (DSI) related to genetic resources.
  • Pharmaceutical, biotechnology, animal and plant breeding and other industries benefiting commercially from DSI uses should contribute to “the Cali Fund,” based on a percentage of their profits or revenues.

Digital Sequence Information (DSI) refers to the digital data derived from genetic resources, such as DNA sequences of plants, animals, and microorganisms.

• Use of Cali Fund - At least half of the fund directed toward Indigenous Peoples and local communities, emphasizing support for women and youth.
• Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF) – It was launched with a US $200 million contribution from the Government of China to deliver 2030 Agenda and SDG targets and 2050 goals of the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework, particularly in developing countries.

Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), agreed at COP 15 in 2022 and established by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), accepts contributions from governments, the private sector, and philanthropies.

• National Biodiversity Targets – A total of 119 countries out of 196 parties to the CBD have submitted national biodiversity targets and additionally, 44 countries have developed National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans.
• Recognition of Africa - Role of people of African descent in implementing the Convention has been recognized to  ensure fair and equitable benefit-sharing from the use of genetic resources.
• Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Body – Establishment of a new permanent subsidiary body for preservation and protection of the knowledge, practices, and innovations of Indigenous Peoples.
• Programme of Work - To ensure Indigenous Peoples and local communities can meaningfully participate in conservation, sustainable resource use, and equitable sharing of biological diversity benefits.
• Synthetic Biology Technology – A new thematic action plan on synthetic biology was launched to address inequities in technological access by promoting capacity-building, knowledge-sharing, and technology transfer in developing countries.

Synthetic biology utilizes engineering principles to create or modify organisms through DNA sequencing and genome editing, opening doors to both opportunities and regulatory challenges in biodiversity.

• Invasive Alien Species Management – Endorsement of  guidelines on matters of invasive alien species for establishing databases, improving cross-border trade regulations, and enhancing coordination with e-commerce platforms.
• Ecologically Or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) – New mechanisms to identify new EBSAs and update existing ones.

The EBSAs are special areas in the ocean that serve important purposes, to support the healthy functioning of oceans and the many services that it provides.

• Sustainable Wildlife Management and Plant Conservation –Decision on sustainable wildlife management was made, to monitor, capacity-building, and active participation of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and women.
• Plant conservation efforts were also highlighted, with a focus on ensuring measurable progress aligned with global biodiversity targets.
• Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health – To help curb the emergence of zoonotic diseases, prevent non-communicable diseases, and promote sustainable ecosystems.
• The strategy embraces a holistic “One Health” approach that recognizes the health of ecosystems, animals, and humans as interconnected.
• Risk assessment - Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety welcomed new, voluntary guidance on assessing the risks posed by living modified organisms (LMOs) containing engineered gene drives.

What are the INDIA’s updated NBSAP?

• National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) -  India’s first plan was created in 1999, followed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Project from 2000-2003 that fostered wider stakeholder engagement in biodiversity planning.
• National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) – It was created  in 2008 and was further refined in 2014 to align with the Aichi Biodiversity Targets established during the CBD's 2010 meeting.
•  Updating NBSAP – India updated the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, setting 23 national biodiversity targets.
• Inclusive Approach – India adopted ‘Whole-of-Government’ and ‘Whole-of-Society’ approach in updating its NBSAP
• Ecosystem Restoration And Species Recovery – Through community-driven conservation efforts focusing on the restoration of degraded ecosystems, the protection of wetlands, and the sustainable coastal management.
• Adoption Of a Transformative Approach – Bottom-up approach for implementation, mainstreaming biodiversity, sectoral integration, and inter-agency cooperation to ensure effective implementation at all levels.

What did COP16 fail to achieve?

• Lack Of Strategy –COP16 also failed to adopt a strategy for raising $200 billion a year by 2030 to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework.
• Minimal Funding – Only about $407 million was pledged to the interim funding mechanism, the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund in Cali.
• Lack Of Progress – Developed countries are lagging on their commitments to provide $20 billion annually in international biodiversity financing by 2025.
• Non consensus over targets – It also failed to reach a consensus on how the GBF’s four goals and 23 targets will be monitored.

What lies ahead?

• Achieve more on resource mobilization targets and advances on the monitoring framework.
• Foster cooperation in bringing consensus among all other countries to achieve the goals.
• Implement National biodiversity targets to reduce the biodiversity crisis.

References

1. The Guardian| COP 16 Outcomes
2. PIB| India’s Updated NBSAP
3. The Hindustan Times| Outcomes of COP16
4. United Nations | Biodiversity COP 16