COP16 and the process of consolidating an inclusive conservation paradigm

Abstract

The Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) approved the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), legitimizing a paradigm shift for conservation to link decisions and outcomes with diverse social actors (CBD, 2022). For example, target 3 aims to protect 30% of the planet by 2030. However, this 30×30 target must be met via equitable governance that recognizes and respects the rights and values of Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPs&LCs). Furthermore, the GBF incorporates non-Western understandings of nature and people−nature relationships (e.g., Mother Earth, nature’s gifts, living in harmony with nature). Recently, COP16 was to implement this inclusive vision, but parties did not reach a consensus on a new financing mechanism besides the Global Environmental Facility and a comprehensive monitoring system for national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs) (Affinito et al., 2024). So, was COP16 a failure?...