COP16: The fight for biodiversity protection is far from over but has advanced

By Gisela Hurtado, Senior Amazonia Campaigner at Stand.earth

The second part of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16.2)—held in Rome, in February—made great progress toward the protection of biodiversity. While the challenge of translating commitments into concrete actions remains, this follow-up session was crucial for the establishment of a financial architecture for biodiversity conservation. It is an opportunity to ensure that Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and developing nations have the resources they need to protect the planet’s most vital ecosystems.

A landmark for biodiversity and climate negotiations

COP16 was historic for multiple reasons. In Cali, where the conference started in October 2024, for the first time at the UN, biodiversity and climate change were formally discussed as interconnected crises, laying the groundwork for a more integrated approach. Additionally, thanks to relentless advocacy from Indigenous leaders and the diplomatic efforts of Brazil, a subsidiary body was established to ensure Indigenous Peoples had a seat at the table in future negotiations. Finally, the Cali Fund was created, providing a mechanism for channeling financial contributions from companies that benefit from genetic resources and traditional knowledge.

However, four key issues remained unresolved at the end of the meetings in Cali:

1. Resource mobilization – How to secure the necessary funding for biodiversity conservation.
2. Financial mechanisms – Whether the Global Environment Facility (GEF) should remain the primary funding channel, or if a dedicated mechanism should be established.
3. Implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) – Ensuring that commitments made in Cali translate into concrete actions.
4. Cooperation with other UN bodies  – How the CBD convention articulates with other conventions within the UN.

As negotiations resumed in Rome in February, resource mobilization remained the most contentious issue. Many developing nations and civil society organizations criticized the GEF for its bureaucratic hurdles and lack of direct access for Indigenous Peoples and local communities. African nations, in particular, pushed for a new dedicated biodiversity fund, arguing that the current mechanisms were insufficient.

Countries like Brazil advocated for a clear roadmap and a task force to ensure the timely establishment of a new mechanism. Meanwhile, Canada and the European Union focused on process-oriented approaches, arguing that more work was needed to assess financial gaps before creating new funds.

Colombia played a key role in bridging these divides, presenting a compromise text that allowed for progress, while recognizing the different positions of countries. Eventually, an agreement was reached: the GEF will continue as the interim financial mechanism, but a roadmap will be developed to create a dedicated biodiversity finance instrument by 2030.

Key outcomes from COP16 Biodiversity

• Recognition of Indigenous Peoples and local communities: The final agreement explicitly acknowledges the critical role of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women, and youth in biodiversity conservation. It also opens the door for direct access to financial resources—an important step toward ensuring that funds reach those who need them most. 
• Roadmap for a new financial mechanism: While some countries wanted immediate action, a compromise was reached to develop a step-by-step process toward establishing a dedicated biodiversity fund. This roadmap will be finalized by 2030. 
• Launch of the Cali Fund: This innovative financing tool ensures that companies profiting from genetic resources contribute fairly, with at least 50% of funds going to Indigenous Peoples and local communities. 
• Bridging climate and biodiversity agendas: The discussions in Rome built on the momentum from Cali, reinforcing the need to align climate finance and biodiversity conservation efforts.

Road to COP30: Stand.earth calls for an Amazon free of oil and gas

Colombia’s Minister of Environment, Susana Muhamad, emphasized that COP16.2 is not the end of this process, but rather a crucial step on the road to the 30th session of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil this November. The outcomes achieved lay the foundation for more ambitious financial commitments and greater inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making. As she put it, “this is the starting point for bold actions that must be taken towards COP30.”

At Stand.earth, we remain committed to ensuring that the transition away from oil and gas is a core part of the biodiversity and climate agendas. As we move toward COP30, we will:

• Advocate for an Amazon free of oil and gas, as part of our broader call to end harmful extractivism that violates Indigenous Peoples and local communities’ rights and deepens the climate crisis. 
• Expose oil and gas expansion, tracking and highlighting how continued fossil fuel extraction undermines global biodiversity and climate goals. 
• Support Indigenous governance, to strengthen Amazonian Indigenous Peoples’ leadership in environmental negotiations and ensure their voices shape global biodiversity finance mechanisms.

As we move toward COP30, Stand.earth is collaborating with a network of organizations, Indigenous federations, and civil society allies to bring a unified advocacy agenda. Together, we are shaping a common call for action—through coordinated research, strategic communications, and advocacy—to ensure that biodiversity and climate policies truly protect the Amazon and its peoples. COP30 must be a turning point, where financial and political commitments lead to real transformation, putting an end to fossil fuels and advancing a just transition for the region.