Achieved at COP15, the Global Biodiversity Framework outlines 23 targets and four goals, including the landmark 30×30 target: protecting 30% of land, inland water bodies and oceans by 2030. COP16 in Cali, Colombia, was seen as a pivotal moment to advance these commitments. One aim was to agree on funding and collaboration, but negotiations proved to be challenging. Despite lengthy discussions, the delegates were not able to agree neither on funding nor on a monitoring mechanism to measure the progress of countries; these negotiations therefore had to be suspended.

The conference did however agree to establish the new Cali Fund to share benefits from genetic sequencing data of plants and animals. Companies using this information to develop products will have to allocate part of their profits to the fund so that resources are shared with local communities and Indigenous peoples. It is the first time this type of mechanism has been developed as part of a multilateral environmental agreement.

Another global first was the creation of a subsidiary body to formally recognize Indigenous peoples as stewards of nature. This provides a permanent space for Indigenous peoples and local communities to participate in decision making on biodiversity. Delegates also agreed on a specific role for Afro-descendent communities in the new subsidiary body.

SEI experts in bioeconomy, ocean conservation, water security and sustainable consumption and production have been actively involved in COP16, supporting negotiations and sharing insights on implementation challenges. As part of the commitments under the framework, countries must present National Biodiversity and Action Plans (NBSAPs) with specific national targets, though only a minority have done so, making COP16 essential for kick-starting implementation processes.

Though only states are formal parties to the convention, many of the targets within the framework rely on active participation from communities, civil society, the private sector and academia. As many of these groups have only recently engaged with biodiversity and nature issues, there is an increasing need for research to guide their involvement.

COP16 closed on 2 November, with some major topics still unresolved. Yet trends and commitments have emerged that will guide biodiversity efforts globally in the years to come.

Calls for more ocean research and greater investments in coastal resilience

Lucia Licero, Research Associate at SEI Latin America, has tracked COP16 negotiations on ocean-related issues. “The ocean has generally been described as “the great connector”, linking all the targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Another recurring theme has been the vital role of the ocean for biodiversity and climate protection, especially with the climate meeting COP29 following hard on the heels of COP16,” Licero explains.

A major achievement at COP16 was the agreement on new mechanisms to identify and protect ecologically or biologically significant marine areas (EBSAs). This comes after eight years of negotiations and aims to ensure up-to-date scientific descriptions of areas especially important for marine and coastal biodiversity. “The mandate puts wheels on the 30×30 Ocean conservation goal since we need robust science to conserve key areas in international waters,” Licero says.

The ocean absorbs significant carbon emissions and provides natural defences against extreme weather, yet this capacity is increasingly compromised by rising temperatures and acidification threatens marine life. Licero notes a growing demand at COP16 for expanded research and conservation strategies, as well as for greater investments in coastal resilience. “Ecosystem-based management”, which recognizes the interconnectedness of marine and coastal ecosystems, is gaining traction and being integrated into NBSAPs.

During COP16’s Ocean Day, stakeholders emphasized blue carbon’s potential in emission reductions but highlighted the need for innovative finance models to support these efforts. Another frequent appeal was for stronger inclusion of local communities and Indigenous expertise. Licero underscores that biodiversity conservation must go hand in hand with policies for food security and economic stability, which will require more sustainable fisheries management and better marine spatial planning.

SEI is contributing research on community-led adaptation that applies nature-based solutions to restore coastal ecosystems and foster sustainable livelihoods. One example is the project “Resilient Coasts in the Caribbean” which helps secure the well-being of coastal populations while preserving marine biodiversity for future generations. “With nearly 40% of the global population living within 100 km of coastlines, we need to rapidly scale up this type of solution,” Licero says.

Growing interest in making consumption and production sustainable

Jonathan Green, SEI’s head of delegation at COP16, has closely followed the discussions on sustainable consumption and production, especially regarding the private sector’s role in managing biodiversity impacts across supply chains. “Interest in sustainable consumption has been growing for a while, particularly in how companies report on and manage biodiversity impacts across their supply chains. However, we are still seeing countries struggle to set their national targets,” Green notes.

This trend took on new urgency with a milestone announcement from major companies like GSK, Holcim, and Kering (the luxury group behind brands like Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent) which publicly adopted science-based targets for nature. Through a year-long pilot with the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN), these companies have set ambitious goals, such as Kering’s targets for freshwater and land and GSK and Holcim’s freshwater commitments. SBTN plans to track these efforts with a corporate target tracker launching in early 2025, providing transparency and setting a standard for others to follow.

Setting national targets is only the first step; developing effective NBSAPs will require buy-in from business leaders, ministries and community stakeholders. These plans must restore and protect nature while simultaneously strengthening economies and ensuring resource security.

Food and diet systems have been a focal point at COP16, covering resilient production systems, trade, dietary transitions and consumer awareness. For Green, this focus is critical: “Food systems have a central role to play in COP16 discussions focused on implementing the GBF’s Target 16 to reduce biodiversity loss driven by consumption, which contributes to habitat degradation, resource depletion and emissions.” Progress in addressing these underlying biodiversity loss drivers, often termed “mainstreaming biodiversity,” represents a major step forward.

However, as Green explains, understanding biodiversity decline is just the beginning: “Gaining confidence and clarity on what drives biodiversity declines and where it is happening is great, but the conversations around how to mitigate it continue to be difficult. That’s why this year, equitability is so much at the forefront of so many conversations.” Jonathan Green explains. Habitat degradation and loss, largely driven by global food systems, remains the leading driver of terrestrial biodiversity loss. Yet many countries effectively “offshore” the environmental impacts of their national consumption.

In response, SEI’s co-hosted a side event on 28 October highlighting strategies to integrate these responsibilities into NBSAPs. This session also discussed ways for companies to reduce biodiversity impacts transparency and accountability measures.

The food system’s role in biodiversity conservation was further emphasized by voices like David Choquehuanca Céspedes, Vice-President of Bolivia and Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, who called for development models aligned with local knowledge and democratic values. Their critiques of “Eurocentrism, capitalism and modernity” underscored the need for food networks that enhance biodiversity resilience, particularly in localized and diverse systems.

Trade Day at COP16, the first of its kind, addressed the dual role of trade in supporting development and resource-efficient food production while highlighting the hidden environmental costs of global supply chains. The sessions called for greater accountability and transparency to help countries and companies tackle these embedded costs more effectively.

Bioeconomy offers new opportunities for tropical countries

The bioeconomy has gained attention at COP16 as a promising way to unite climate action and biodiversity loss challenges, especially in tropical countries. Mónica Trujillo, SEI Research Fellow at SEI Latin America and co-lead of SEI’s Initiative on Governing Bioeconomy Pathways, explains, “At COP16, we are witnessing a crucial shift toward unifying climate and biodiversity agendas to combat climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. The bioeconomy is a powerful strategy to integrate these agendas by combining nature-based solutions with innovation, value chains of bioproducts, and market connections, driving the necessary economic transformation.” At COP16, discussions have focused on translating the G20’s high-level bioeconomy principles – sustainability, circularity and innovation – into practical frameworks that balance biodiversity protection with sustainable resources use. Latin America’s tropical regions are being highlighted as vital case studies for bioeconomy initiatives, particularly in non-timber forest product value chains. Such discussions highlight the need for inclusive, biodiversity-centric bioeconomic approaches that cater to local communities.

South-South cooperation emerged as a key trend at COP16, as countries in Latin America, Southeast Asia and Africa share insights on sustainable bioeconomy models tailored to their specific ecological and socioeconomic conditions. To facilitate these discussions Trujillo and SEI’s bioeconomy team co-hosted two side events: the first, “Bioeconomy for biodiversity: challenges in value chains of non-timber forest products” highlighted the potential of these value chains and the need for biodiversity-driven frameworks. The second event addresses principles aligning bioeconomic practices with biodiversity conservation. Insights from SEI’s recent work – including the newly published policy brief on the role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in advancing bioeconomic growth across the Global South and the upcoming book, ‘Implementing the Bioeconomy in the Tropics’ – have enriched discussions at COP16, steering conversations toward actionable frameworks and strategies. Trujillo and her team are committed to catalyzing the integration of sustainable bioeconomy approaches into national biodiversity strategies, positioning the bioeconomy as a vital pathway to achieving global biodiversity and climate targets.

Stronger emphasis on the role of water for biodiversity

Recognizing the interdependence of water security and biodiversity, COP16 discussions have underscored the urgency of integrated approaches to managing freshwater ecosystems. These ecosystems face significant threats from habitat destruction, pollution and resource over-extraction, all of which jeopardize their health, stability and overall ecological integrity. Cláudia Coleoni and Tania Santos, water experts based at SEI Latin America, closely observed these discussions and noted the calls to strengthen water resilience through policy commitments, financial support and community-based management. Coleoni highlighted the unique positioning of water within the biodiversity discourse at COP16, stating, “Water-related challenges transcend national and regional boundaries and require a global response for sustainable and collaborative water management. Without a dedicated UN convention, water discussions must align with broader dialogues at climate and biodiversity COPs.”

During the Forests and Water Day at COP16, over 140 organizations and experts urged heads of state and governments to prioritize water and wetlands in their efforts to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework. Cláudia Coleoni emphasized, “Recognizing water as a fundamental element for both ecosystems and human societies is crucial. COP16 discussions are underscoring the need for sustainable water management to achieve global biodiversity goals, especially as water remains interconnected with climate and biodiversity targets.”.

The discussions at COP16 reflect a growing acknowledgment of the intrinsic link between water management and biodiversity preservation. Moving forward, it is imperative for nations to adopt integrated approaches that incorporate water resource management within their biodiversity frameworks, thereby ensuring the resilience of ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

Dubbed the “COP of the people” and the “COP of implementation,” this summit has seen significant engagement from leaders across sectors, effectively highlighting biodiversity’s role within larger agendas such as the upcoming climate COP29 and G20 meeting.

COP16 has marked a turning point in how biodiversity is approached globally, signalling a growing recognition of its role in achieving sustainable development. The legacy of COP16, however, will ultimately depend on how well these discussions translate into concrete, actionable steps that address the biodiversity crisis and drive meaningful change.