Global Efforts to Protect Biodiversity

Sub: Env

Sec: Int convention

Why in News

The United Nations’ annual biodiversity conference, which was paused last year due to time constraints, has resumed in Rome. The key focus is on mobilizing financial resources to implement biodiversity conservation measures effectively.
The ‘Cali Fund’ was launched on February, 2025, at the resumed 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Rome.

Background:

These discussions follow the historic COP15 Montreal Agreement (2022), which set 23 goals, including the 30×30 target—protecting 30% of the planet and 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030.
The unfinished agenda from COP16 in Cali is now being addressed in Rome, with emphasis on funding mechanisms and implementation strategies.
A 2023 World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Zoological Society of London report highlighted that global wildlife populations have declined by 73% in the past 50 years.

Objectives of the Rome Talks:

Finalizing Financial Commitments:
- Addressing how pledged funds will be utilized.
- Establishing a global biodiversity financing
- Raising additional funds to meet biodiversity conservation goals.
Strengthening Indigenous and Local Community Involvement:
- Ensuring fair distribution of financial resources.
- Recognizing the role of Indigenous communities in conservation.
Developing a Monitoring and Reporting Framework:
- Setting clear guidelines for tracking progress on the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
- Addressing accountability measures for conservation commitments.

Cali Fund:

The Cali Fund is designed to collect money from private companies that use Digital Sequence Information (DSI) derived from plants, animals, and microorganisms.
Industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agriculture, and biotechnology, which rely on DSI for developing products, are required to contribute financially to biodiversity conservation.
The money collected will be allocated to biodiversity conservation projects.
It will assist developing countries in implementing their biodiversity action plans.
At least 50% of the funds will be directed toward indigenous peoples and local communities, acknowledging their significant role in preserving biodiversity.
This is the first global biodiversity fund under the UN to receive direct contributions from businesses.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will oversee the fund.
The Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTFO) will handle administrative tasks.
The fund is a critical step towards achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) goal of halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030.

Digital Sequence Information (DSI):

DSI encompasses digital data derived from genetic resources, including nucleotide sequences of DNA and RNA, as well as amino acid sequences of proteins.
DSI is fundamental in fields such as environmental and biological research, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and biotechnology, aiding in the development of new therapies, energy sources, and other products.

COP16 Summit:

16th meeting of nations under the 1992 Convention on Biodiversity.
The focus is on getting countries back on track to meet 2030 targets, including the “30 by 30” goal of preserving 30% of the world’s land and sea by 2030.
Only 31 out of 195 countries had submitted plans. Wealthier nations, like European countries, Australia, Japan, and Canada, have been quicker to act.
The U.S. attends but is not obligated to submit a plan, as it never ratified the Convention.
Global Biodiversity Framework Fund: A new fund was created after COP15 to support conservation efforts, but only $238 million has been raised so far, far below expectations.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):

CBD, also known as the Biodiversity Convention, is a multilateral treaty with three main objectives:
- Conservation of biological diversity
- Sustainable use of biodiversity components
- Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources
Opened for signature: June 5, 1992 (Earth Summit, Rio de Janeiro)
Entered into force: December 29, 1993
The United States is the only UN member state not to ratify the convention.

Supplementary Agreements:

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety: Governs movement of living modified organisms (LMOs) between countries
Nagoya Protocol: Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS)