Crunch time in Cali

Two years ago, at COP15, world leaders took a landmark step in biodiversity protection by signing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework , hailed as the 'Paris Agreement of biodiversity.' This ambitious framework, containing 23 critical targets, aims to halt the loss of species and ecosystems worldwide, including the renowned ‘30x30 ’ target to safeguard 30% of the planet's lands and oceans by the end of this decade.

Now, the spotlight shifts to Colombia, where global climate leaders gather at COP16 in Cali to breathe new life into the targets and advance their implementation.

During the initial negotiations, António?Guterres captured the high stakes, stating “making peace with nature is the defining task of the 21st century”. Guterres’ call resonates with the findings by the World Economic Forum in its Global Risk Report for 2023, which lists that biodiversity loss over the next decade will be among the biggest risk areas for the global economy . In other words, much is at stake at “la COP de la gente” (a COP of the people), as COP16 promotes an inclusive approach that emphasises the role of civil society and the business community in protecting biodiversity. This commitment to broader participation highlights the vital contributions needed from all sectors.

Denmark is promoting this collaborative vision by sending its largest-ever business delegation to a biodiversity COP . Demonstrating how Danish companies, NGOs and civil society organisations seek to integrate biodiversity into their operations, a prime example of this is the Danish Biodiversity Partnership, established and facilitated by the Ministry of Environment. The partnership includes 22 members, spanning business organisations, NGOs and educational institutions. This summer, the partnership introduced a series of recommendations for tangible actions across sectors, covering everything from sustainable resource management to biodiversity-focused investment practices.?

As COP16 approaches its pivotal final hours, the world is watching. As a defining moment to turn pledges into policies, Denmark’s presence at COP16 underscores that the protection of biodiversity is no longer just an environmental issue but also a critical business concern that influences long-term viability, resource availability and supply chain resilience.

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