Urgent calls to action as world leaders gather in Cali

The United Nations COP16 biodiversity summit enters its final week in the Colombian city of Cali, where international negotiations are underway to clarify the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), adopted by almost 200 countries by the end of 2022.

The conference is crucial in shaping global biodiversity policy, highlighting the urgent need for action against environmental degradation.

The GBF includes 23 goals, including the famous ’30 by 30′ target, in which more than 100 countries have committed to protecting 30% of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030.

The UNEP report shows that countries have made some progress on their pledges, but the expansion of the global network must accelerate over the next six years to reach the goal.

The report says that 17.6% of land and inland waters and 8.4% of ocean and coastal areas worldwide are within documented protected and protected areas.

“The increase in reporting since 2020, equivalent to more than twice the size of Colombia, is to be celebrated,” UNEP said in a press release. “But it is an increase of less than 0.5 percentage points in both areas.”

Progress remains slow

The summit in Cali will be attended by representatives of indigenous communities from across the Americas, who are calling on countries to fulfill the commitments they made two years ago.

“Our governments don’t make quick decisions; they are slow to implement changes. They are focused on enforcing laws and standardizing policies, but taking no action to reverse harmful activities or restore and preserve biodiversity,” said Teddy Sinacay Tomas, president of CECONSEC, an organization that monitors territorial and defends the civil rights of indigenous communities in the region. region.

Sandra Valenzuela, CEO of WWF Colombia, also emphasized the need for accelerated action. “So far globally we have 17% in land areas and only 8% in marine and coastal areas,” she said.

Valenzuela also emphasized that national action plans should not only improve protection but also promote recovery efforts to effectively achieve these objectives.

Meanwhile, the European Union has positioned itself as a leader in the fight for biodiversity.

“We had Natura 2000, an extensive network of interconnected protected areas. Because of that and the Nature Recovery Act, we are confident that we will achieve the 2030 target for the country relatively quickly,” said Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director General of the Environment Department at the European Commission.

However, Fink-Hooijer recognized the complexity surrounding water protection and the need for a comprehensive water resilience strategy.

In addition to environmental policy, there are also major financial discussions going on.

According to the United Nations, there is an urgent need to triple green investments to meet ambitious 2030 targets.