The planet's most biodiverse ecosystems are left unprotected, jeopardising global efforts to avert a nature breakdown

Cali/Oslo 21 October 2024

The gathering of Indigenous and world leaders, scientists and environmental advocates in Cali, Colombia, for the 16th Conference of the Parties on Biodiversity presents a unique and necessary opportunity to confront the rapidly escalating biodiversity crisis.

However, the ambition levels of many participating countries remain alarmingly low, jeopardizing efforts to protect the ecosystems with the highest biodiversity importance, as stated in goal 3 of the Global Biodiversity Framework agreed in Montreal two years ago.

“Covering only 6.5% of Earth’s terrestrial surface, rainforests are home to more than half of life on land. We cannot afford to settle for less than the protection of all remaining rainforests by 2030,” said Toerris Jaeger, Executive Director of the organization Rainforest Foundation Norway.

Rainforests are on the verge of collapse several places in the world. Today, only one-third of the original tropical rainforest remains intact. The survival of countless species and the stability of ecosystems worldwide hinge on safeguarding these last remaining forests.

Insufficient plans and funding

However, the combined efforts of national biodiversity action plans from the largest rainforest countries and the contributions from wealthy nations are insufficient in terms of both protection and financial support

“The world must realise rainforests’ crucial role in preventing a global nature breakdown. Protecting and restoring biodiversity is not free. It is the responsibility of the world as a whole to do what it takes to secure a living planet for future generations,” Jaeger said and added:

"At COP16 countries have an opportunity to not only to raise their ambition level but to show real commitment and effort to save what remaining rainforests we have. We need to see immediate, coordinated action shielding rainforests from deforestation, degradation, and other human-induced pressures. When the world meets again at COP30 in Brazil next year we need to see substantial progress, not only new empty promises.”

Equally vital to the success of these efforts is the implementation of Indigenous Peoples' and local communities’ rights to land and their invaluable role in managing biodiversity. Indigenous communities have safeguarded nature and protected the balance of ecosystems for generations. Their knowledge, wisdom, and practices must be respected and integrated at every level of decision-making, from local meetings to national biodiversity plans and international forums.

Indigenous leader and Secretary of the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation, Patricia Suárez, invites delegates to listen and learn:

“We, the Indigenous peoples of the Colombian Amazon, urge the various organizations and entities that are present at COP16 to recognize the systems of governance of the Colombian Amazon and to join these knowledge systems to protect life. We invite you to learn about our systems of governance and to respect them, because they are what have allowed the care of the Amazon.”