COP16 began on October 21, 2024, in Cali, Colombia, and will continue until November 1. Three main priorities were set at COP16: translating biodiversity plans into national actions, securing adequate funding to ensure feasibility, and accelerating the process of fair benefit-sharing from genetic resources (ABS). The theme of COP16, "Peace with Nature," carries a strong message promoting sustainable use of natural resources and preventing biodiversity loss. The main goal is to accelerate the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), adopted in Montreal in 2022. Under the GBF, which provides a strategic framework aimed at halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030, governments have pledged to revise or recreate their National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAP). This framework includes ambitious goals to halt biodiversity loss by 2030. These goals include protecting 30% of land and marine areas, restoring ecosystems, reducing harmful subsidies, and preventing environmental degradation. Additionally, countries aim to achieve these goals by committing to assess, monitor, and report their dependencies and impacts on biodiversity. However, many countries report difficulties in reaching these goals due to policy misalignment, financial, and capacity constraints.

At COP16, countries were invited to present their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), prepared in alignment with the GBF. These sessions also aim to increase resource mobilization for biodiversity conservation and develop a framework for monitoring the targets. Throughout the conference, key issues such as a fair benefit-sharing mechanism for digital genetic information are also addressed. This summit, hosting approximately 14,000 delegates from around the world, aims to deepen international cooperation on biodiversity.

Financing and Resource Mobilization: One of the main agenda items at COP16 is mobilizing the necessary financial resources for countries to achieve their biodiversity goals. In particular, the goal of $200 billion annually by 2030 is expected to be supported by contributions from the private sector, which is emphasized as a critical necessity for conservation projects.

Biodiversity Monitoring and National Strategies: The summit addresses strengthening national biodiversity strategies and establishing monitoring systems to track countries' progress toward 2030 targets. In this context, more transparency and accountability are required from all participants. Many countries are delayed in fulfilling the 30% conservation commitment under the Global Biodiversity Framework accepted at COP15. Despite this framework aiming to protect biodiversity by 2030, the majority of countries have yet to present concrete plans. Developing countries, in particular, are calling for greater cooperation on technical support and resource sharing. Held under the theme "Peace with Nature," this summit aims to encourage governments and other actors to develop more effective action plans to halt global biodiversity loss. In this regard, Colombia, as the president of COP16, has become one of the countries presenting its own national biodiversity strategy, setting an example for others.

In conclusion, COP16 features intensive negotiations on ensuring the feasibility of environmental goals, monitoring, and enhancing financing, with all parties expected to expedite the process. The summit is expected to be guiding, especially on resource sharing and establishing a fair framework for biodiversity conservation.

Thanks to the NBSAP tracker developed by WWF, you can comparatively examine countries' biodiversity status: NBSAP tracker: Check your country's nature progress | WWF

Türkiye's Perspective at COP16 Türkiye has prepared and announced its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in line with its commitments under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to conserve biodiversity. Türkiye's first NBSAP was published in 2007, followed by revisions and updates. This plan provides a framework covering the conservation, sustainable use, and related capacity-building efforts for Türkiye's biodiversity.

For the post-2020 period, Türkiye has committed to review its NBSAP to align with the Global Biodiversity Framework and to develop targets accordingly. These updated NBSAP plans contain efforts toward conserving and sustainably using biodiversity, setting strategic steps at the national level. For biodiversity-rich countries like Türkiye, COP16 offers an opportunity both to strengthen national strategies and to expand global cooperation. Conservation efforts are becoming increasingly vital as an essential element of sustainable development.

According to CDP Türkiye Biodiversity theme data, a significant portion of responding companies in Türkiye view biodiversity as a strategic priority and are taking concrete steps to integrate it into their business processes. In 2023, 65% of companies raised biodiversity issues to the board level, while 54% publicly committed to or supported biodiversity conservation initiatives. However, only 29% conduct biodiversity impact assessments, with most still not considering their supply chain impacts. Almost half of the companies are taking steps to advance biodiversity conservation commitments, with 34% prioritizing land and water conservation initiatives, while 47% monitor their performance with biodiversity indicators.

What Awaits the Private Sector? COP16 stands out as a key event to encourage companies to take stronger actions against biodiversity loss. The event underscores the need for policies that will drive companies to reduce their environmental impact. In line with this, coalitions such as Business for Nature are pressing governments to adopt policies that increase corporate accountability. Through the "Make it Mandatory" campaign, over 400 businesses and financial institutions were invited to support the biodiversity framework at COP16, especially calling for targets that require companies to report, monitor, and enhance nature-friendly practices.

The presence of companies at COP16 is not merely symbolic; new regulations and obligations are expected in sectors like finance, retail, energy, agriculture, and forestry. Measures for companies to contribute to biodiversity include reducing their impacts on nature, contributing to ecosystem conservation, and moving away from nature-damaging practices in financial activities.

CDP Supports COP16 Biodiversity Targets At the COP16 summit, CDP is promoting a data-driven approach to achieving the 2030 Biodiversity Framework goals. Emphasizing that companies need to assess their dependencies and impacts on nature, CDP guides this process with data from over 23,000 companies and 1,100 cities. Progress is being evaluated in critical areas such as Target 15, which monitors water and biodiversity dependencies. CDP sees strong private sector participation and government leadership as essential to achieving the targets.

CDP data reveals that 99% of companies have assessed water dependencies, with a 24% increase in water dependency assessments between 2022 and 2023. However, companies are still in the early stages of assessing biodiversity dependencies; in 2023, only 7% reported biodiversity dependencies, and fewer than one-third plan to do so within the next two years. The number of companies evaluating biodiversity impacts across the entire value chain is also quite low, with only one-fourth conducting such comprehensive assessments. CDP emphasizes that strong leadership is needed to reduce the private sector's impact on nature and adopt nature-sensitive policies. Creating data-driven monitoring mechanisms during COP16 is crucial for both governments and companies to fulfill their responsibilities.

CDP and the Biodiversity Fund In parallel with COP16, CDP launched a €100 million biodiversity fund, managed by Mirova and supported by 11 major French institutional investors. This fund will invest in companies in high-impact sectors that demonstrate credible transition efforts and reduce biodiversity loss using CDP's climate and nature data. This partnership strengthens CDP's goal to support investors in making data-driven decisions to steer climate and nature opportunities.

Click here to explore how investors can use CDP data to guide climate and nature opportunities: CDP Biodiversity Targets

For more information on CDP's work and role at COP16, visit the CDP Biodiversity Targets page.