Uniting for the Planet: Beyond the Labels and Camps

This year, I’m heading to my first COP in Cali, Colombia, and I couldn’t be more excited. For those who aren’t familiar, COP stands for the Conference of the Parties—a series of global meetings where governments, scientists, and environmental groups come together to tackle the world’s biggest climate and biodiversity challenges. COP 16, the 16th conference for biodiversity, is one of the most important events of the year, bringing leaders from around the globe to discuss how to halt and reverse the ongoing biodiversity crisis. It’s where crucial decisions about the planet’s future are made.

Back in 2022, at the Montreal Kunming agreement, the world promised to protect 30% of the planet's lands and oceans by 2030. We also agreed to restore billions of hectares of ecosystems. The goals are big, and the stakes are even bigger.

But here’s the thing. While we all share the same goal—making the planet better—there’s still a lot of division. We tend to form camps. There’s the biodiversity camp, the carbon credits camp, the ecosystem restoration camp, and so on. It’s like everyone’s wearing different team jerseys, even though we’re all supposed to be on the same side.

Look at farming as an example. Organic farming, natural farming, regenerative farming—they all want the same thing: a sensible future for the planet, farmers and the consumers. But instead of working together, they sometimes end up competing, arguing over who has the "right" way. It reminds me of Indian mythology, where brothers fight each other, leaving the enemy to win. Meanwhile, companies that aren’t interested in sustainability get to sit back and watch us waste time fighting and in turn benefit from this.

The same happens with terms like ecosystem restoration, biodiversity, and natural capital. They all mean restoring balance to nature, but instead of focusing on the work, we get stuck in debates. While we argue over what to call it, forests are disappearing, and ecosystems are dying. The UN says we’ve lost 10 million hectares of forest every year. Two billion hectares of land are now degraded. We don’t have time to waste on definitions when the planet is suffering.

I get it. There’s a reason why these distinctions exist. Scientists, technocrats, and practitioners have carved out these categories based on their unique expertise and the value they bring. There are real nuances. Ecosystem restoration isn’t the same as ecological restoration. Carbon credits and biodiversity credits operate differently. And yes, organic and natural farming each follow their own principles. These differences add depth and value in their own ways.

But here’s the big question: Are we focusing more on how similar our ultimate goals are, or are we too busy trying to prove that one approach is better than the others? In the process, we often end up undermining other efforts, sometimes without even realizing it. Maybe it’s just a quirk of our human nature—first, we crave belonging, then we strive to stand out. But at this crucial time, is this mindset helpful? Sometimes, yes, when it corrects a flawed narrative. But more often than not, it slows us down when unity is what we need most.

As COP 16 approaches, Colombia is leading by example. It’s one of the world’s most biodiverse nations, and they’ve made nature part of their energy transition plan. They’re showing us that climate action and biodiversity aren’t separate—they’re connected. This is the mindset we need. Whether we’re talking about carbon credits or restoring ecosystems, the goal should be the same: healing the Earth. This should be the common goal. Whether we are a funder or a policy maker or an entrepreneur, this shared goal cannot change.

If we stay divided, climate change deniers and those who want to keep things as they are will win. They’ll point to our arguments and use them to slow down progress. We need to remember that we’re all on the same team. Whether you care about biodiversity or carbon, it’s all part of the same solution.

As the late Wangari Maathai, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning environmentalist, said, “It’s the little things citizens do that make the difference.” Our first step should be to unite and work together. The goal is simple yet profound: heal the planet, restore ecosystems, and secure a better future for everyone. By joining forces, we can turn these small actions into a global wave of positive change.

Let’s take on the spirit of "Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu"—"May all beings in all worlds be happy." That includes the trees, the bees, the soil, the forests, and of course, us humans too.

The time for division is over. It’s time to move beyond the conventional boundaries of "I fund only carbon," "I only support ecosystem restoration," or "Regenerative agriculture is the only solution." Whether you're focused on regenerative farming, biodiversity, or carbon credits, the truth is clear: we need a combination of approaches to achieve our common goal. Healing the planet requires all of us, bringing together different strategies for a greater impact. Let’s unite, take bold action, and work toward a future where restoring nature is not just achievable, but also delivers the highest environmental return on investment. It’s time for funders to rethink how they invest in our planet’s future, focusing on solutions that drive more meaningful work, higher-quality outcomes, and the best returns for our environment.

Are we ready to rise above the labels and work together? Let's make COP 16 the moment we act as one for the planet.