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JNCC at UN Biodiversity Conference CBD COP16

Nature – our life support system – is in crisis around the world. Animal and plant species, funghi and microorganism species, and the habitats they create and depend on, are declining at an unprecedented rate in human history. As a result, the natural functions and processes that people depend on for the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the energy we need, the materials we use, the medicines we rely on and a climate we can survive in are failing rapidly.

There is cause for hope. We have a good understanding of what’s happening to natural systems – and new evidence is emerging all the time. The impacts of unsustainable land and sea use, climate breakdown, exploitation and pollution – have significant consequences for life on Earth. We have the knowledge, tools, networks and ambition to take collective action to recover nature. But we must act now. Future generations rely on it.

COP16

From 21 October to 1 November 2024, JNCC’s experts will participate 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.

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’.

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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 will be attending COP16 as part of the UK delegation, helping the UK and other Parties to secure positive outcomes to support international nature recovery.

JNCC delegates at COP16

Photo: JNCC delegates at COP16

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JNCC’s COP16 calendar

At COP16 we’ll be participating 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 be presenting 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 informationhttps://www.sei.org/events/cbd-cop16-hub-session-trade-data-biodiversity/

Event: High-Level Ocean 30x30 Reception

JNCC roleDr Gemma Harper accompanying Minister Creagh to the event. 

Date and time: 26 October 19:00 – 22:00 (COT) (27 October 01:00 – 04:00 BST)

Location: Domingo, Carrera 5 #2-97

Event: Science Policy Forum Session 6: Monitoring - Advances of scientific networks for adressing gaps in the eimplementation of the monitoring framework of COP15 Decision 15/5

JNCC role: Dr James Williams will be presenting in his role as the Chair of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG)

Date and time: 27 October 10:10 - 11:40 (COT) (16:10 - 17:40 BST)

Location: Macarena Room

Further informationhttps://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 will participate in the panel discussion

Date and time: 28 October 11:40-15:00 (COT) (17:40 - 21:00 BST)

Location: Cocuy - Marie Khan Women's Caucus

Further informationhttps://www.cbd.int/side-events/6212

Event: Ministerial Conference on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter

JNCC role: Dr Gemma Harper accompanying Minister Creagh.

Date and time: 28 October 14:00-16:00 (COT) (20:00 - 22:00 BST)

Location: Spiwak Hotel

Further informationhttps://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 informationhttps://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

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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. As focus now turns to implementation, governments will review the progress made in translating the global framework into national strategies and plans.

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The journey to COP16

27–30 August 2019 (Nairobi, Kenya)
First meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
24–29 February 2020 (Rome, Italy)
Second meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
23 August – 3 September 2021 (Online)
Third meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, part 1.
11–15 October, 2021 (online & Kunming, China)
Fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (Part One)
14–29 March 2022 (Geneva, Switzerland)
Third meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, part 2.
21–26 June 2022 (Nairobi, Kenya)
Fourth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
29 June – 1 July 2022 (Bonn, Germany)
Expert Workshop on the monitoring framework for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
26–30 September 2022 (Montreal, Canada)
Meeting of the Informal Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
3–5 December 2022 (Montreal, Canada)
Fifth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
7–19 December 2022 (Montreal, Canada)
Fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (Part two).
15 – 19 October 2023 (Nairobi, Kenya)
Twenty-fifth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice
13 – 18 May 2024 (Nairobi, Kenya)
Twenty-sixth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice
21 – 29 May 2024 (Nairobi, Kenya)
Fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation
16 – 18 October 2024 (Cali, Colombia)
Fifth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation

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.

cavenham-heath-suffolk-ed-mountford-crop.jpg (1)

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.

The four countries and JNCC are working to publish a revised UK National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) following adoption of the GBF. As part of this, the UK published its national targets in August 2024 (see CBD Online Reporting Tool).

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Categories:

Convention on Biological Diversity

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