COP16: EU to work with partners on biodiversity loss implementation

A hippo in the water in Colombia — © Izanbar, Getty Images

As COP16 begins on Monday, the EU has reaffirmed its commitment to working with partners to ensure the full and swift implementation of the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and contribute to making peace with nature, which is this year’s theme.

The conference is the first major global meeting at the political level since the historic 2022 GBF when 196 countries agreed on a roadmap to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030.

Addressing the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution in an integrated way will build economic and societal resilience.

Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Maroš Šefčovič, said:

“The decisions that the international community will make at COP16 will be essential in shaping the future of our planet. Only global action can reverse the destabilisation of our climate and the dangerous degradation of our environment. The EU has ground-breaking policies to lead the way and inspire others, but we cannot turn the tide on our own. We need to make tangible progress in Cali to avoid crossing irreversible tipping points.”

EU priorities at COP16

As outlined in the Council conclusions on the UN Biodiversity Conference, the EU will advocate for key decisions to be taken at COP16, notably about:-

Addressing biodiversity loss and climate change in an integrated manner and fostering the accelerated implementation of nature-based solutions;
Finalising a solid framework for planning, monitoring, reporting and review;
Adopting a robust strategy for the mobilisation of resources for the implementation of the GBF and the operationalisation of the multilateral mechanism for benefit sharing from digital sequence information;
Putting in place a network of centres for technical and scientific cooperation, and;
Adopting a strong programme of work for matters concerning Indigenous Peoples and local communities, as well as establishing a permanent subsidiary body to better reflect their concerns in the work of the Convention.

The EU has submitted its targets for the implementation of the GBF showing our commitment to deliver for nature and people, in line with our international obligations. These cover all GBF goals and targets, describing how the EU plans to achieve them, and linking to relevant legislative and non-legislative policy instruments at the EU level.

The European Commission will also host one of the centres for technical and scientific cooperation, and with partners, is setting up a Global Knowledge Support Service for Biodiversity.  

EU financing

The EU is maintaining its commitment to double external financing for biodiversity to €7 billion.

The EU continues to mobilise resources and has been deploying funds through bilateral, regional and global programmes to support partners in delivering on the Global Biodiversity Framework, for example, through the Global Gateway and as part of the Team Europe Initiative on deforestation-free supply chains, NaturAfrica and the Sustainable Cocoa Initiative.

The EU financing is designed to work for both nature and people, promoting sustainable practices that can bring social and economic benefits to communities around the world.

In addition, the European sustainable financing initiative will help direct finance towards support investments in biodiversity. The EU budget provides for 10% to be used for biodiversity-related activities as of 2026.  

Nature-based solutions

Joint and coherent solutions to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution are crucial, including upscaling nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches. The Commission is funding and providing technical support to at least 74 projects on nature-based solutions, with a total contribution of €654 million.

Ahead of COP16, the European Commission has published two independent expert reports detailing EU collaboration with key partners on nature-based solutions.

The Independent Expert Report "Bridging Continents: Exploring the State-of-Play of Nature-Based Solutions in the EU and LAC: Building a Foundation for Collaboration” provides an overview of the current nature-based solutions landscape in the EU and Latin America/Caribbean, and outlines pathways for deepening bi-regional cooperation through knowledge-sharing, policy alignment, and joint action. It will officially be launched at COP16 in Cali, Colombia, on 21 October (livestream available at 3.30 pm local time).

The second report describes four case studies in the European Union and China to investigate the historical and contemporary application of nature-based solutions in both regions. The analysis aims to promote a better understanding of how nature-based solutions can be applied, providing a stronger basis for current and future dialogue and action between the EU and China.

Background

COP16 on Biodiversity will take place in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1. The EU will also host numerous side events throughout the conference at the EU Pavilion to showcase initiatives working towards the ambitious implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework and achieving Peace with Nature.

Over the past two years, through the European Green Deal, the EU and its Member States have made progress in meeting their international commitments to nature and biodiversity.

Following up on the ambitious Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the EU has adopted the comprehensive Nature Restoration Law with its binding targets to restore degraded ecosystems. This provides a strong basis to deliver on international commitments and will be supported by other major actions such as the ‘Fit for 55’ package for climate neutrality and the 8th Environment Action Programme to 2030.

While progress has been made since 2022, when 196 countries adopted the historic Global Biodiversity Framework, much more still needs to be done as the Earth approaches irreversible global tipping points driven by interdependent emergencies biodiversity loss and climate change.

Half of global GDP depends on direct and indirect use of biological resources and ecosystem services. There is a clear economic case for preserving and restoring nature, as also outlined by President von der Leyen in her keynote speech at the DLD Nature conference. 

Among the key sources of scientific knowledge, the latest three assessments by IPBES, on the use of wild species (2022), values of nature (2022) and invasive alien species (2023) will be considered at COP 16.