COP 16 is a critical milestone for the global effort to protect biodiversity. As representatives from around the world gather in Cali, Colombia, the spotlight is on turning promises into concrete actions. Last year, leaders adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) at COP 15 after years of negotiation and debate. This framework laid out an ambitious plan with 23 targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. But agreeing on targets is only the first step—now, it’s time to see if countries are willing to take real, meaningful action to achieve them.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which began in 1992, has a long history of setting goals and creating protocols aimed at protecting the planet’s biological resources. Over the years, however, most of these goals have fallen short because of a lack of follow-through. The GBF is supposed to be different, but that will only be true if COP 16 goes beyond the usual rhetoric and makes bold decisions that lead to real results.
IPLCs should be front and center
The Kunming-Montreal Framework is built around a vision of “living in harmony with nature” by 2050. It aims to not only protect ecosystems but also to ensure that the benefits of biodiversity are shared fairly and equitably. This is why one of Wovoka’s top priorities is to make sure Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) are front and center in all biodiversity efforts.
These communities are often the real stewards of nature, yet they’re the ones who get the least recognition and support. Despite managing some of the world’s richest ecosystems, IPLCs are frequently excluded from decision-making processes that directly impact their lands and livelihoods.
Wovoka believes that it’s time to flip this dynamic. IPLCs should not just be consulted, rather they should lead. This means rejecting the involvement of “carbon and conservation cowboys”—organizations that use conservation as an excuse to take over land and resources, often marginalizing the very communities that have kept these areas thriving for generations.
While making space for IPLCs in global conservation strategies is essential, it’s only part of the solution. To effectively support these communities, first, there is a need to address the gaps in measuring and valuing ecosystems. Many existing conservation models fail to capture the full worth of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Collecting accurate, on-the-ground data about the state of ecosystems is necessary to ensure that protection efforts are based on robust scientific data.
Biodiversity and Innovative Finance
Wovoka acknowledges that conducting thorough ground-truthing requires substantial resources. Traditional funding sources for conservation are no longer enough to support these complex efforts. There is a need to explore new, innovative financial mechanisms that can address biodiversity loss at the scale it needs.
Similar to carbon credits, biodiversity credits would allow businesses and governments to invest in the restoration and protection of ecosystems. These credits could become a powerful financial lever to meet the GBF’s goals while supporting sustainable development.
While Wovoka supports biodiversity credits as one such tool, we also recognize that for this financial mechanism to work, parties at COP 16 must establish a clear framework that sets clear standards and prevents abuse. The risk of “greenwashing”—where companies make false claims about their environmental impact—is high. To avoid this, the system must ensure that investments lead to measurable and verifiable improvements in biodiversity. At the same time, financial resources should flow to the countries and communities that need them most. If done right, biodiversity credits could help fill the funding gap and give countries the means to reach their targets.
Biodiversity loss and climate change are interconnected
Another critical aspect that needs attention at COP 16 is the relationship between biodiversity loss and climate change. These two issues are deeply intertwined, yet they are often treated as separate problems.
The reality is that when forests, wetlands, and other natural areas are destroyed, we are not just harming biodiversity—we are also undermining the planet’s ability to regulate climate. This is why nature-based solutions like reforestation, wetland restoration, and sustainable farming practices are crucial not only for climate action but also for conserving species and habitats, particularly in biodiversity hotspots across the globe. COP 16 must champion these solutions as part of an integrated strategy to address the interconnected climate and biodiversity crises effectively.
A lot is at stake
If leaders at COP 16 rise to the occasion, it could set a new standard for how nations tackle environmental challenges. But if they fail, the world risks losing more species and ecosystems, further destabilizing our planet. The stakes could not be higher and this meeting must go beyond making commitments on paper.
The world is watching. COP 16 cannot afford to be just another round of negotiations. It’s time to make the kind of transformative decisions that will shape the future of our planet’s biodiversity for decades to come.
