A Look Forward to COP16

How the preparatory meetings outcomes shape the agenda in Cali 

Ahead of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) COP16 in Cali, Colombia from 21 October – 1 November, two important preparatory meetings took place: Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) and Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI). Both meetings provided an opportunity to take a pulse on the state of preparations, but more importantly, offered food for thought on where we may end up at Cali or beyond. This article outlines the conclusions of both meetings before highlighting some of the implications relevant for business ahead of COP16. Sarah Nelson from KPMG headed WBCSD’s delegation in Nairobi, Kenya and co-wrote this article (you can read further insights from Sarah’s experience of the negotiations here. 

The 26th meeting of the SBSTTA took place from May 13-18, 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya and focused on the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF, also known as the Biodiversity Plan). Delegates worked to refine indicators, methodologies, and recommendations for the upcoming COP16. 

Progress was made on many fronts, with the science body of the CBD adopting recommendations on biodiversity in the oceans, modern biotechnology, scientific tools and guidance to support the implementation of the Biodiversity Plan, and coordinated actions related to global health. Parties also reached a consensus on the indicators that will be used to monitor the implementation of the Biodiversity Plan.  

However, several contentious issues emerged, resulting in bracketed text for further negotiation at COP16. Parties had numerous disagreements, including on synthetic biology, voluntary guidance for living modified fish, marine biodiversity, and the global action plan on biodiversity and health. These contentious issues highlight the complex intersections of science, policy, and international law that SBSTTA must navigate in its advisory role to the CBD. 

The final outcomes of the SBSTTA meetings can be found here. 

The SBI meetings took place in Nairobi from 21-29 May back-to-back with SUBSTTA. The main objectives of the SBI meeting were twofold: 1) Discuss how national governments are translating the Global Biodiversity Framework and targets into national-level action via the submission of their National Biodiversity Strategies and Actions Plans (NBSAPs). 2) Discuss how governments would finance or “mobilize resources” for the effective implementation of their NBSAPs. 

As of late September 2024, only 19 governments and the EU had submitted their NBSAPs to the CBD Secretariat; others signaled an intention to submit before COP16.  Integration of business engagement in the NBSAP process appears to be primarily limited to goals and targets, e.g., Target 15, seen more as “business targets”. There is a risk that as the deadline for the submission approaches and Governments are under pressure to submit, stakeholder engagement will be further reduced.  

On resource mobilization, discussions focused on the Global Biodiversity Fund under the Global Environment Facility. Debates arose over establishing a new fund outside the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with G77 countries citing long delays in accessing GEF funding. Discussion of the role of private finance was limited, potentially limiting the funding mobilization that can be unlocked.  

Progress was made on the GBF monitoring framework, essential for tracking global biodiversity goals and resolving previous reporting issues. Parties agreed on an indicator for target 8, which integrates national biodiversity and climate policies. However, they could not complete a comprehensive monitoring framework for COP16 approval.  

Despite some progress in discussions, many issues remain unresolved, with numerous draft COP decisions still bracketed. The final press release from the SBI CBD meetings can be found here. 

Both the SUBSTTA and SBI meetings concluded by adopting several recommendations, highlighting progress in the GBF monitoring framework. However, significant work remains, particularly in resource mobilization, where typical divisions between developed and developing countries indicate the challenge of closing the biodiversity finance gap.  

The fifth edition of the SBI will take place in Cali, Colombia, between 16 and 18 October 2024, just prior to COP16. Negotiators should provide more guidance on how to resolve important issues of implementing the GBF, resource mobilization, and monitoring. This will be a challenge, given the ever-growing agenda on the one hand and underlying political divisions on the other.   

1. Businesses can and should push for more ambitious NBSAPs that provide clear policy frameworks, ensuring their role is acknowledged and integrated. Structured platforms for business input are needed, similar to how Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) have evolved in climate discussions. 
2. A clear and long-term policy landscape is essential to attract private capital for nature-positive solutions. Without this, the complexity of international agreements and conflicting provisions makes compliance and investment challenging for businesses seeking to contribute to the biodiversity agenda. 
3. Business should continue to show up with tangible actions and solutions. While participation in events such as UNCBD COP15 was a step forward, more should be done to demonstrate ambitious work on nature-positive outcomes.  

WBCSD’s ongoing Nature work demonstrates how businesses can lead the way and can already meet key GBF requirements. The Roadmaps to Nature Positive initiative offers essential guidance for businesses in major systems and sectors. Partnering with 75 companies, initial Roadmaps have been released for the agri-food system, forest products sector, built environment, and energy system. These Roadmaps help companies set science-based targets for nature, adhere to TNFD v.1 recommendations, and take critical actions aligned with the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030. By managing nature-related risks proactively, companies can prepare for new policies and regulations, prioritize actions to reduce negative impacts, and unlock opportunities across the value chain.  

Furthermore, WBCSD  is working to prove the value of metrics and data to support nature-related transition planning that aligns with National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), promote the scaling up of nature finance, and contribute to the implementation of Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Target 15. 

The upcoming COP16 in Cali will be a crucial moment for businesses to influence the final shape of the GBF and to demonstrate their commitment to biodiversity and halting nature loss. WBCSD will continue to demonstrate ambitious leadership through voluntary commitments and nature-positive initiatives. In addition, we intend to continue developing partnerships with governments and International Organizations to ensure that business perspectives are adequately represented in future negotiations and national implementation strategies. We need clear, science-based, and ambitious Nature regulations to deliver outcomes. We hope the success of the COP16 in October in Cali will pave the way to more inclusive and collaborative solutions for the future.