On Oct. 21, 2024, delegates from over 190 countries began a two-week long meeting at the 16^th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, or COP16, in Cali, Colombia, for the first time, since signing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) at COP15 in 2022. The plan includes measures to halt and reverse nature loss, including protecting 30% of land and oceans by 2030, otherwise known as “30×30.” While COP15 established an agreement on the targets for protecting nature, COP16 will allow countries to agree on a concrete plan for actually meeting those targets by 2030. 

Scientists agree that we must protect at least 30% of lands, fresh waters and oceans by 2030 to have any chance of stemming the dual crises of biodiversity loss and climate change facing our planet. Currently, only about 17% of land and 8% of marine areas are under some form of legal protection. Although, the effectiveness of that protection is unclear — given that some areas are little more than “paper parks” — 30×30 also includes goals for strengthening the effectiveness of existing Marine Protected Areas. 

Since COP15, countries have recognized the scale of the challenges we face in conserving the world’s biodiversity and COP16 will provide a realistic assessment for how we will achieve the targets set forth in the KMGBF by 2030.  

What outcomes could happen at COP16?  

Each country will present their National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plans (NBSAPs), which are national plans that outline how they aim to meet their 30×30 goals. Each country will tackle these goals differently, but likely, most will announce guidelines and criteria for how they will set aside lands and waters and will specify what percentage of their territory they plan to protect.  

Pacific Environment has been heavily involved in the years-long process of developing these NBSAPs for Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, but ultimately, countries need to work together to fulfill the ambitious goals set out in the KMGBF. Given Pacific Environment’s role, at the nexus of governments and communities affected by these policies, we are committed to supporting each of these countries in identifying and addressing the challenges they face, such as developing legislation and policies to protect these areas in such a short timeframe, while supporting local communities. Moreover, our input will provide crucial local context from our community partners and elevate community voices in marine biodiversity conservation while highlighting their important contributions to this global movement.   

Targets alone will not achieve measurable impact for our planet; rather, action and a realistic strategy are required to see these targets implemented to carry out the framework and permanently protect lands and waters to preserve biodiversity and stem the impacts of global climate change. Thus, we are excited for the opportunities presented by COP16 to listen and bring together various Southeast Asian countries, and support collaborative action between our partner governments and local communities to achieve these global conservation goals, as well as adapting the plans as needed to complement each other. 

Additionally, we will be co-hosting the official COP16 side event with leaders in marine conservation:  The Pew Charitable Trusts, The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, Wildlife Conservation Society and various governments, including the government of Vietnam, to continue these conversations across sectors and nations. This official COP16 side event, “Mainstreaming biodiversity within and across sectors to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030,” takes place on Oct. 31 and is an opportunity to conduct a high-level discussion on action items toward the implementation of the KMGBF.  

Ultimately, conservation doesn’t happen in an office. It happens in the field, engaging with government agencies and local communities in remote islands or areas, which are often those first to be affected by declines in biodiversity. We are thrilled to bring our Marine team to COP16 this year to elevate those voices and help our partners lead the way in effective and equitable marine conservation in Southeast Asia and beyond.