Progress was made on several fronts at COP16, including protecting 30% of land and ocean by 2030, with the UK Government publishing new criteria to meet our domestic 30by30 nature recovery targets in England.
Attendees at COP16 in Cali, which included Environment Secretary Steve Reed, Nature Minister Mary Creagh, and Natural England Chair Tony Juniper, agreed to a deal on Digital Sequence Information (DSI) to support nature recovery.
DSI is a way of making genetic information that has been sequenced from the natural world available online.
Scientists can then use these DNA codes for important research in medicine, agriculture, conservation and public health.
Businesses that use genetic information from nature now have the option of voluntarily contributing to a new fund, the Cali Fund.
Initiatives to support nature recovery at COP16
A New Finance Trends dashboard was also launched to increase transparency in nature finance and a new framework to support a high-integrity biodiversity credits market.
COP16 significantly agreed on the establishment of a new permanent body for Indigenous Peoples and local communities to empower them and increase their input into formal decision-making for nature recovery.
In addition to supporting nature recovery, the Cali Fund will also see a significant proportion of the finance flowing back to these local groups.
The role of fungi was also elevated as the UK and Chile collaborated on a pledge to give fungi the same protection as plants and animals, noting their vital role in addressing the environmental crisis.
Further frameworks around nature finance are still needed
Despite initiatives to support nature recovery, the UK was disappointed that COP16 concluded before reaching an agreement on international strategies for mobilising nature finance and a framework for monitoring progress against international targets.
Nature Minister Mary Creagh explained: “It’s never been more important to tackle the nature and climate crises, and so the progress made is important.
“But it’s clear there is more work to do internationally, and we will continue to work with countries and environmental groups to drive further progress in nature recovery.
“The UK will continue to press for concerted action to resolve these outstanding issues and for the full implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework.”
It’s time to act now
Reflecting on the UK’s time at COP16, Chair of Natural England, Tony Juniper said: “It has been a privilege to partake in COP16 and hear from voices around the world, particularly those from Indigenous Peoples and local communities, about how we can strive to protect our precious natural world.
“Colombia is home to incredible species of birds, orchids & butterflies – hosting the conference in this biodiversity hotspot added a huge sense of energy to discussions we had here about the global nature recovery effort.”
He concluded: “As delegates return home, we have much work ahead to ensure that the energy of COP16 translates into action within countries.
“Time to act is now rapidly running out fast, and far greater determination is going to be needed to ensure the Global Biodiversity Framework is upheld.”
