From 21 October to 1 November 2024, JNCC’s experts participated in the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) in Cali, Colombia. With 'Peace with Nature' as its central theme, COP16 is the first meeting of the COP after the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in 2022.
Contents
- What is CBD COP16?
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JNCC's role at COP16
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JNCC’s COP16 calendar
- Event: Bringing together trade and biodiversity statistics to support biodiversity and the GBF
- Event: High-Level Ocean 30x30 Reception
- Event: Science Policy Forum Session 6: Monitoring – Advances of scientific networks for addressing gaps in the implementation of the monitoring framework of COP15 Decision 15/5
- Event: Momentum for Target 16: Enhancing collective action to reduce the global footprint of consumption equitably
- Event: Ministerial Conference on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter
- Event: Nature Champions Network High Level Ministerial (by invitation only)
- Event: One Ocean, One Challenge: Building effective MPA networks through trans-national partnerships
- Why is COP16 important?
- The journey to COP16
What is CBD COP16?
CBD COP16 stands for the 'Sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)', an international meeting referred to as the 'UN Biodiversity Conference' or the ‘Nature COP’.
JNCC's role at COP16
JNCC is the UK’s statutory nature advisor. We provide technical and scientific support to the UK Government on issues relating to the UK’s implementation of the CBD (as well as 20 other multi-lateral environmental agreements). As part of this, our experts attended COP16 as part of the UK delegation, helping the UK and other Parties to secure positive outcomes to support international nature recovery.
Photo: JNCC delegates at COP16
JNCC’s COP16 calendar
At COP16 we participated in the following events:
Event: Bringing together trade and biodiversity statistics to support biodiversity and the GBF
JNCC role: Dr Gemma Harper (opening remarks). Our partners from SEI York will presented on the Global Environmental Impacts of Consumption (GEIC) Indicator
Date and time: 24 October 15:10 (COT) (21:10 BST)
Location: UN Hub, Place Quebec
Further information: https://www.sei.org/events/cbd-cop16-hub-session-trade-data-biodiversity/
Event: High-Level Ocean 30x30 Reception
JNCC role: Dr Gemma Harper accompanied Minister Creagh to the event.
Date and time: 26 October 19:00 to 22:00 (COT) (27 October 01:00 to 04:00 BST)
Location: Domingo, Carrera 5 #2-97
Event: Science Policy Forum Session 6: Monitoring – Advances of scientific networks for addressing gaps in the implementation of the monitoring framework of COP15 Decision 15/5
JNCC role: Dr James Williams presented in his role as the Chair of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG)
Date and time: 27 October 10:10 to 11:40 (COT) (16:10 to 17:40 BST)
Location: Macarena Room
Further information: https://www.cbd.int/conferences/2024/parallel-meetings/science-forum
Event: Momentum for Target 16: Enhancing collective action to reduce the global footprint of consumption equitably
JNCC role: Dr Gemma Harper (speaker). Our partners from SEI York participated in the panel discussion
Date and time: 28 October 11:40 to 15:00 (COT) (17:40 to 21:00 BST)
Location: Cocuy - Marie Khan Women's Caucus
Further information: https://www.cbd.int/side-events/6212
Event: Ministerial Conference on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter
JNCC role: Dr Gemma Harper accompanied Minister Creagh.
Date and time: 28 October 14:00 to 16:00 (COT) (20:00 to 22:00 BST)
Location: Spiwak Hotel
Further information: https://ministerialconferenceonmarinelitter.com/
Event: Nature Champions Network High Level Ministerial (by invitation only)
JNCC role: Dr Gemma Harper accompanying Minister Creagh.
Date and time: 28 October 18:00 (COT) (00:00 BST)
Location: Cocuy - Marie Khan Women's Caucus
Further information: https://www.cbd.int/side-events/6594
Event: One Ocean, One Challenge: Building effective MPA networks through trans-national partnerships
JNCC role: JNCC Co-hosts, Dr Gemma Harper (opening speaker and panellist), Beth Flavell (presenter), Alyssa Fischer (MC)
Date and time: 30 October 11:40 (COT) (16:40 BST)
Location: Cocora, Plaza 1 – Subnational and Local Authorities (Blue Zone)
Further information: https://www.cbd.int/side-events/5913
Why is COP16 important?
At COP15 the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) – the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework set out an ambitious plan to transform society’s relationship with biodiversity. With a focus on implementation, at COP16 governments reviewed the progress made in translating the global framework into national strategies and plans.
The journey to COP16
The post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is a high-level document that was agreed and adopted by Parties to CBD at COP15, which aims to halt and reverse biodiversity decline globally. The framework consists of four goals and 23 targets.
Image courtesy of Ed Mountford (JNCC)
The UK Biodiversity Framework (2024)
In the UK, biodiversity and the natural environment are devolved matters and are the responsibility of the governments in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Their role extends to implementing international biodiversity obligations, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), although these are negotiated and entered on a UK-wide basis.
All four countries of the UK have, and continue to develop, their own domestic policies and strategies to protect and restore nature, to manage natural assets sustainably and to respond to climate breakdown and other environmental challenges. These are now being reviewed following the finalisation of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). In addition, a new UK Biodiversity Framework has been developed to serve as a vehicle for the four countries to work together on areas of shared ambition or common purpose for biodiversity at a UK level to address the goals and targets outlined in the GBF.
Following adoption of the GBF, the four countries and JNCC published the UK National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in February 2025. As part of this, the UK published its national targets in August 2024 (see CBD Online Reporting Tool).
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