COP16 Reflections: Bridging Global Biodiversity Commitments with Local Actions

Today marks the second Sunday since my return from the Biodiversity COP in Cali, Colombia, and I’ve finally had the chance to take it all in. This COP felt markedly different—energised, inclusive, and engaging, with Cali’s vibrant green zone welcoming locals and Colombians to participate, reaching beyond the typical blue zone with restricted access. The city’s involvement—from local restaurants to salsa clubs—created a dynamic atmosphere, bringing biodiversity awareness to the public in a unique and inspiring way.

To truly address biodiversity loss, we need to engage all parts of society. This COP felt closer to that goal than Montreal two years ago, offering a vision of a more inclusive future. A major step forward was the establishment of a UN Subsidiary Body for Indigenous and Local Communities, the guardians of nature who must have a voice in biodiversity negotiations.

However, COP16 also highlighted significant challenges, particularly around financing. The proposed $200 billion fund to drive the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) remains uncertain, and most countries missed the deadline to submit their biodiversity action plans. As Paul Polman highlighted in his speech, this reveals a profound lack of urgency. Wealthier nations had committed to delivering $20 billion by 2025. The resources exist—governments allocated $16 trillion in fiscal support during COVID-19 from 2020 to 2022. The environmental crisis is equally urgent, if not more so. Twenty percent of this funding has been pledged to Indigenous and local communities on the front lines; they often risk their lives to protect nature and would likely use these resources more effectively. We must not let them down.

This responsibility is not solely on governments. We need concrete steps to mobilise $200 billion in new financing by 2030, with the private sector playing a crucial role, especially given rising political polarisation and gridlock.

One of the most powerful statements I heard at COP16 was:

“We are the first generation to know we are destroying our planet and the last that can do anything about it.”

Nature is also our most powerful ally in the fight against climate change. We cannot solve the climate crisis without addressing the nature crisis. Nature-based solutions could contribute one-third of the emissions reductions needed by 2030, with only 15% of the investment.

However, nature finance remains woefully inadequate and inequitable, representing just 2% of climate finance. Investment in emerging markets and developing economies is practically nonexistent. Our economic model, which prioritises short-term profit and GDP growth, is no longer sustainable. Governments continue to subsidise unsustainable practices to the tune of $2.6 trillion annually, encouraging resource depletion, carbon-intensive consumption, and ecosystem degradation.

I’m still reflecting on the Cali Fund, established at COP16 as an important milestone to ensure that the benefits of nature derived from the use of digital sequence information (DSI) are valued and shared fairly. Though voluntary and with a debated scope, this fund represents a step forward in ensuring that businesses in specific sectors contribute financially when using natural resources and in mobilising private sector finance for conservation. I am also reflecting on the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), still with some reservations. I remain sceptical about basing critical conservation funding for tropical forests on speculative financial instruments, like stock market futures. I worry that such instruments could allow wealthier countries to deflect their responsibilities on loss and damage and conservation funding for the Global South by claiming they are "already contributing." Hypothetical funding tied to investment returns cannot replace concrete grants.

About NetworkNature: We had the pleasure of hosting sessions in both the blue and green zones, with more Horizon EU-funded NbS projects participating at this COP than ever before. Our aim is to raise the bar even higher for COP 2026 in Yerevan, with a strong focus on bridging the science-policy gap. It’s more essential than ever to bring the outcomes of over 80 projects within the nature-based solutions research and innovation community to platforms like COP. Having contributed to the independent expert publication by the European Commission "Bridging Continents," which proposes collaboration pathways on nature-based solutions for the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean, I am pleased to see the launch of Naturaleza Transformativa at COP, as I view it as a valuable ally to NetworkNature. It is encouraging to see such networks and platforms forming, allowing us to collaborate and raise awareness. I also welcome the launch of the Urban Biodiversity Accelerator.

Protagonist Role of Cities and the Berlin Urban Nature Pact

A key highlight of COP16 was the launch of the Berlin Urban Nature Pact, which underscores the essential role of cities in implementing biodiversity goals. Cities, as hubs of human activity and biodiversity, are uniquely positioned to drive nature-positive solutions in urban areas. The pact provides a framework for cities worldwide to integrate green infrastructure and restorative practices into urban planning, recognising local authorities as pivotal actors in the global effort to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.

Reflecting on COP16, the message is clear: we have the commitments and know the actions needed. Now it’s time to move forward, placing regenerative, inclusive leadership at the centre. Let’s draw on nature’s resilience, foster collaboration over competition, build bridges, and remain optimistic in these complex times.

As they say, the best time to act was ten years ago; the second best time is here and now.

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