Environment takes centre stage as global summits loom

• Established: 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro
• Purpose: Conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources
• Key activities: Regular Conferences of the Parties (COPs) to discuss and implement biodiversity conservation strategies

Key activities at COP16:

• Review progress on 2022 agreement to protect 30% of the planet by 2030
• Countries to present national strategies for biodiversity goals
• Colombia, hosting 10% of Earth’s biodiversity, expected to set an example

• Established: 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro
• Purpose: Prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system
• Key activities: Annual Conferences of the Parties (COPs) to negotiate global climate action, including the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement

Key activities at COP29:

• Aim for a new agreement on financial support from rich to developing nations
• Previous $100 billion pledge (pledged in 2009) was only fully met in 2022

• Established: 1994, entered into force in 1996
• Purpose: Combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought
• Key activities: Promote sustainable land management practices and support affected countries, particularly in Africa

Key activities at COP16

• Restore 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030
• Address drought management in affected regions

• Debate between restricting plastic production vs. focusing on recycling