Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16)

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty created in 1992 with the goal of conserving the world’s biodiversity, using natural resources sustainably and ensuring fair access to genetic resources. It brings together nearly 200 countries to work on protecting ecosystems, species and genetic diversity, while promoting sustainable development and addressing the impacts of biodiversity loss on human well-being.

The Sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) was held between 21 October and 1 November 2024 in Cali, Colombia. It was the first COP since the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was adopted at COP15 and provided an opportunity for governments to review its implementation and consider progress in setting targets and preparing national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs) aligned with the GBF.

COP16 also provided an opportunity for Parties and observers to engage in a wide range of forums, pavilions and side-events that enrich the formal discussions of the meetings.

One area of focus was on implementing the 4 goals and 23 targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework referred to as the Biodiversity Plan into national action. The national action is referred to as National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).

Scotland’s Role

Scotland is a nation with a rich natural heritage with internationally significant biodiversity, from seabird colonies and freshwater habitats, to bryophytes, blanket bogs and temperate rainforests. Part of the effort to protect these species and habitats is to be achieved through Scotland’s Strategic Framework for Biodiversity which aligns with goals of the Kunming-Montreal Framework through long-term and large-scale ecosystem restoration with aims to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and restore biodiversity by 2045.

NatureScot’s Role

NatureScot has been heavily involved in the development of one of the ‘Headline Indicators’: A.4, which measures genetic diversity within species, as well as one of the optional ‘Complementary Indicators’. The specialist group which makes recommendations on indicators, the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on indicators (AHTEG) is also co-chaired by former SNH staff member James Williams, now of JNCC.

Scottish Government, advised by NatureScot, played an important role in the development of the UK’s negotiating position at Montreal in 2022 and has continued to do so in the run up to COP16. We work with the other devolved governments and with JNCC to ensure that biodiversity and the benefits it provides are properly considered across the whole of the UK."