The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity will take place from October 21 to November 1, 2024, in Cali, Colombia. The conference seeks to address the urgent crises of biodiversity loss and climate change through collaborative and coordinated action. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) underscores the necessity for an integrated approach, emphasizing the protection of marine ecosystems and the critical role of wildlife in climate mitigation strategies. COP16 will serve as a pivotal platform for setting future international environmental agendas and commitments.
The upcoming 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is poised to address the pressing intertwining issues of biodiversity loss and climate change. Scheduled for October 21 to November 1, 2024, in Cali, Colombia, this conference is a timely opportunity for global leaders and environmental specialists to emphasize the urgent necessity for cooperative and coordinated action in tackling these crises. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has articulated the importance of a synchronized approach, underscoring that tackling either the climate crisis or biodiversity loss independently will not yield the desired outcomes. Matt Collis, IFAW’s Senior Director of Policy, notes that COP16 will play a fundamental role in aligning national and international efforts to protect biodiversity while addressing climate change, ensuring that these parallel challenges are addressed collectively. As a prelude to the pivotal discussions expected at the UNFCCC COP30, this conference will set the stage for future international environmental deliberations. The IFAW emphasizes the significance of marine and coastal ecosystems as invaluable assets for wildlife and humanity alike. These ecosystems contribute substantially to global biodiversity and are integral in regulating Earth’s climate through carbon absorption and weather stabilization. However, they face increasing peril due to human activities and climate change effects. Collis asserts that “healthy oceans are the foundation of a healthy planet,” reinforcing the need for COP16 to prioritize the protection of marine biodiversity to maintain these essential ecosystem services. Amidst the increasing urgency to address these interconnected crises, IFAW’s official side event, titled “Leveraging wildlife conservation and rewilding to supercharge climate mitigation and adaptation,” will take place during the conference. This event aims to highlight the critical role of wildlife in combatting climate change while launching new guidelines to facilitate the integration of wildlife conservation into climate strategies by governments.
The Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings facilitate discussions among global leaders regarding biodiversity conservation and climate change efforts. With biodiversity loss and climate change ranking as top environmental concerns, COP16 will be pivotal in fostering international collaborations and integrating strategies to respond to both crises effectively. As the first of the Rio Convention COPs convening in 2024, COP16 is expected to influence subsequent international environmental negotiations and herald new commitments towards national climate action plans ahead of UNFCCC COP30 next year. The increasing threats posed to marine biodiversity demand immediate attention, as these ecosystems are critical for both ecological balance and climate regulation, stressing the need for robust measures to preserve them.
As global leaders prepare for COP16 in Cali, the clarion call for a unified and integrated approach towards biodiversity and climate change has never been more critical. The key discussions at this conference will not only set the course for environmental negotiations in the coming years but will also be crucial in addressing the synergistic crises impacting the planet. The emphasis on protecting marine ecosystems and leveraging wildlife conservation as part of climate strategies will further advance global efforts to mitigate adverse environmental impacts, ensuring a sustainable future for both nature and humanity.
Original Source: www.ifaw.org
