Authors: Júlia Fortuny, Yasmine Rugarli
Referred to as the “People’s COP,” COP16 established a new benchmark in Indigenous inclusion with extensive participation from Indigenous communities, Afro-descendants, women, and youth. Through the Pact for Biodiversity Conservation, COP16 formally acknowledged the critical role these communities play in conservation, with Indigenous voices recognized as essential to global environmental policy. This pact reinforces a shared vision: empowering Indigenous people as guardians of biodiversity and ensuring that their knowledge and perspectives shape global conservation strategies.
Key Positive Outcomes
Increased Emphasis on Traditional Knowledge in Policy-Making
Twenty-six years after establishing a working group to advance Article 8(j) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), COP16 marked a historic breakthrough with the creation of a new permanent subsidiary body. This body will work to integrate Indigenous rights and traditional knowledge into conservation policies, honouring the expertise of Indigenous peoples in preserving biodiversity through sustainable practices developed over generations.
In addition to empowering Indigenous communities, COP16 also formally recognized the role of Afro-descendant communities as key actors in biodiversity conservation. This acknowledgement not only highlights their invaluable contributions as biodiversity custodians but also opens access for these communities to resources for conservation and sustainable management projects, allowing them to participate actively in global environmental discussions, including future COP conferences.
The establishment of this new subsidiary body builds on the earlier working group’s efforts to promote respect for, preservation of, and collaboration with Indigenous and local communities regarding their traditional knowledge. It will work alongside two existing CBD subsidiary bodies: the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical, and Technological Advice, which assesses biodiversity status, and the Subsidiary Body on Implementation, which offers technical and scientific recommendations.
Cali Fund launch – Equitable Benefit Sharing
COP16 also saw the establishment of the Cali Fund, which was agreed by 196 counties, a major step toward equitable benefit-sharing from digital sequence information (DSI) of genetic resources. For the first time, companies profiting from DSI will contribute a portion of their earnings to support conservation. Whether directly or through governments, half of the Fund will be dedicated to Indigenous peoples and local communities, with a special focus on women and youth. This fund will empower these communities through capacity building, technology transfer, and direct support, enabling Indigenous peoples to further protect their lands and biodiversity.
Indigenous Women Leadership
Indigenous women stood out as key leaders at COP16, emphasizing the vital connections between gender equality, environmental protection, and cultural preservation. Their advocacy on sustainable wildlife management and species protection underlines the importance of including gender-focused approaches in biodiversity efforts, reinforcing the indispensable role of women as knowledge-holders and community leaders in conservation.
Biodiversity Protection and Sustainable Wildlife Management
Sustainable wildlife management emerged as a central theme at COP16, with recognition of Indigenous communities’ expertise in monitoring and protecting ecosystems. Partnerships with international organizations like CITES and FAO aim to bolster Indigenous-led initiatives in wildlife management, ensuring these communities have a leading role in safeguarding species and ecosystems critical to global biodiversity.
Unresolved Issues and Setbacks
Political Tensions – Divide between Developed and Developing countries
Geopolitical divides between wealthier nations and the Global South became a prominent challenge at COP16, especially around the proposal for a dedicated biodiversity fund. These funding disagreements led to growing frustrations and eventually halted negotiations, leaving key agenda items unresolved. This North-South financial divide mirrors wider geopolitical conflicts and risks undermining the collective resolve needed to meet global biodiversity goals. The continued lack of consensus underscores an urgent need for deeper cooperation and compromise to advance the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Lack of Financial model
One of the main issues identified is that delegates failed to agree on a comprehensive financing model to support the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a global plan that was adopted during COP15 in Canada to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. Estimates suggest that implementing this framework requires approximately $700 billion annually. The lack of consensus on funding strategies, including the creation of a new fund under the COP, led to the suspension of discussions without a clear path forward.
“The suspension of the COP without an agreed financial strategy is alarming,” said Brian O’Donnell, director of the Campaign for Nature
The voluntary nature of the Cali Fund
The Cali Fund marks a significant step forward in benefit-sharing efforts, but its voluntary framework presents challenges. While companies are encouraged to contribute, they are not mandated to do so, leaving the fund’s effectiveness dependent on corporate willingness. This lack of binding commitments raises concerns that contributions may not meet the necessary levels to support Indigenous and Local Communities, who depend on this funding to sustain conservation projects and their livelihoods.
Lack of a strong and clear monitoring system
The conference truly underscored major accountability challenges as discussions around a comprehensive monitoring framework essential to track the progress of countries in complying with the roadmap to protect biodiversity. Although many delegates stressed the importance of a system to monitor and evaluate progress, the absence of a clearly defined accountability mechanism raises concerns that pledges may go unmet without significant consequences. With biodiversity loss accelerating, the lack of a robust, transparent tracking system makes it difficult to ensure that all Parties are fulfilling their commitments.
Conclusion: Progress in Inclusion, but Key Challenges Remain for Global Biodiversity
COP16 has set an inspiring precedent with its increased focus on Indigenous inclusion, equitable benefit-sharing, and the integration of traditional knowledge into global environmental policies. The breakthroughs achieved—such as the establishment of a new permanent subsidiary body to advocate for Indigenous rights and the launch of the Cali Fund for benefit-sharing—showcase a renewed commitment to empowering marginalized communities and harnessing their knowledge in the fight to protect biodiversity. However, critical challenges remain, as seen in the unresolved geopolitical divides and the absence of a mandatory financial model and robust monitoring framework. Without binding commitments, adequate funding, and accountability mechanisms, there is a risk that progress could stall, hindering efforts to achieve the ambitious targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Let now see what will happen during UNFCCC COP 29 which just started in Baku, Azerbaijan!