On the week that Senus announced a new habitat mapping feature on our land use report platform, the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) concluded in Rome, Italy. It felt somewhat serendipitous! What was more intriguing is that the outcome from the meeting might (let’s not get too optimistic yet) mark a significant moment in the global fight to protect biodiversity. The conference, attended by nearly 200 nations, focused on implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). If you haven’t heard of the Kunming-Montreal Framework, it’s essentially a commitment to securing financing mechanisms to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. So while launching our habitat mapping tool, we were able to keep one eye on the outcomes of the meeting to see if ACTUAL progress was made. Some of the outcomes were:
1. Strengthening Biodiversity Funding
One of the most significant developments at COP16 was the agreement to mobilise $200 billion annually for biodiversity protection by 2030. Developed nations pledged to contribute at least $20 billion per year by 2025, increasing to $30 billion. These numbers are mind boggling (unless you are someone like Elon Musk!). But if these can be mobilised it will see a total shift in how we have been viewing biodiversity. What was once little regard for economic progress could become an economy itself.
2. Establishment of the Cali Fund for Genetic Resources
A landmark achievement was the creation of the Cali Fund, aimed at ensuring fair and equitable benefit-sharing from genetic resources. This fund will provide compensation to nations and Indigenous communities when their biodiversity is used for commercial purposes, such as in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Again where once economic progress trumped any biodiversity loss. This could mark a change in the way we do things.
3. Indigenous and Local Community Involvement
COP16 saw a stronger emphasis on the rights and knowledge of Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs). A new advisory body was created to integrate traditional environmental knowledge into conservation policies. This makes total sense but only if points 1 and 2 are mobilised towards these communities.
4. Action Plan for Biodiversity and Health
Recognising the connection between biodiversity and human health, delegates adopted a Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health. This initiative aims to reduce zoonotic disease risks, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and integrate biodiversity considerations into public health policies. This acknowledges how linked us as humans are to our environments. After all, we are also part of the biodiversity of this planet!
Overall these points would suggest that there is a turning point here or very close by. However, let’s remember that this is talk and intentions. We have seen so many times in the past when intention and talk fail to deliver. So, from now it will come down to action. COP16 was a step forward in global biodiversity governance, but the real test lies in implementation. With only 5 years left to meet the 30×30 goal (protecting 30% of land and ocean by 2030), nations must turn commitments into action.
The urgency is clear; without decisive action, biodiversity loss will continue to threaten ecosystems, economies, and human well-being worldwide. At Senus, we care deeply about biodiversity and reversing its downward trend. We have committed every ounce of energy we can muster into developing an unrivaled Land Use reporting tool. If corporations / governments / agencies can’t see progress through verified measurement of biodiversity then all the money in the world is of little value. So, it’s our job (along with other great companies) to make sure that the ability to measure habitats does not impede our ability to restore, protect and enhance nature.
