The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) took place in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1, 2024, gathering around 23,000 participants from nearly 200 countries. The event focused on implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022, which sets the protection of 30% of natural areas by 2030 as one of its 23 targets. Brazil had its largest delegation in history, with approximately 600 participants, including representatives from government, business, academia, and civil society. 

In this edition, the Green Zone—a space dedicated to public events—stood out by promoting over a thousand activities to encourage social engagement on urgent issues like climate change and financing mechanisms. 

Outcomes of COP16 

COP16 led to significant advancements, including the establishment of a fund for benefit-sharing from genetic data and the creation of a permanent body to address indigenous and community issues. For the first time, there was consensus among signatory countries on the active participation of Indigenous Peoples in negotiations, highlighting their essential role in future decisions. However, the conference concluded without an agreement on conservation funding, leaving many countries frustrated in their hopes for concrete measures to achieve global goals. 

In her closing speech, CBD/UN Executive Secretary Astrid Schomaker emphasized the urgency for transformative action: “The message is clear: the time for bold, transformative change is now. Because business as usual means pushing life on this planet to the brink.” 

LIFE Institute’s presence at COP 

The LIFE Institute has a longstanding presence at COP events, beginning in 2010 at COP 10 in Japan. Since then, it has actively contributed to developing global conservation strategies, promoting LIFE Business & Biodiversity Certification, LIFE biodiversity metrics, and, more recently, Biodiversity Credits, bringing vital tools to the market to meet Targets 15 and 19 of the Global Biodiversity Framework. 

Events Held 

During COP16, LIFE Institute participated in 14 events, leading four major ones in the Blue Zone: 

Building recommendations and a risk map to Improve the implementation of Biodiversity Credits for IPLC 

With the participation of LIFE Institute, Fundación Avina, Xau Conservation, Verde Floresta, Tre Investimentos, COIAB, and OPIPAM, the workshop brought together Indigenous representatives, NGOs, businesses, and financial institutions. Fostering dialogue between Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), NGOs, and financial institutions, created a collaborative space where recommendations and a risk map were developed to implement biodiversity projects, aiming to ensure IPLCs’ inclusion in the biodiversity agenda and strengthen their role in using biodiversity credits. 

Certification on Biodiversity: a global solution to address Target 15 with metrics to monitor negative and positive impacts 

Moderated by Rafael Loyola, Executive Director of the International Institute for Sustainability, this session highlighted the essential role of certifications like LIFE Certification, allowing companies to better assess, monitor, disclose, and address biodiversity-related risks. 

Companies such as C-Pack, Itaipu Binacional, Grupo Boticário, and SPVS highlighted how LIFE Certification provides practical, measurable guidelines that assist companies to reduce their biodiversity impacts. The certification also facilitates continuous monitoring of biodiversity performance, integrating this management into each organization’s strategic planning to promote more effective conservation actions. 

Biodiversity Credits: cases of ongoing applications and sectors engaged 

Addressing a highly relevant current topic, this session was moderated by Manesch Lacoul, Global Coordinator of the Biodiversity Credit Alliance, and gathered leaders from the financial sector and companies to explore perspectives and motivations in the emerging biodiversity credit market. 

Organized by LIFE Institute in partnership with the Biodiversity Credit Alliance, the event featured renowned experts, including Xau Conservation, Onçafari, and BRDE, which announced the acquisition of biodiversity credits in partnership with the Paraná government as part of an innovative conservation strategy. 

The discussion showcased how various sectors are collaborating to link environmental preservation to advanced financial mechanisms, reinforcing the role of biodiversity credits in promoting a sustainable economy and valuing conservation. 

LIFE Coalition: business leaders integrating biodiversity for business transformation 

In this event, representatives from companies such as Grupo Boticário, Itaipu Binacional, BRDE, Sanepar, Petrobras, Vale, and Klabin shared how they incorporate biodiversity as a KPI in their management and planning, as well as the engagement of high-level leadership in this area. Representatives from these companies also shared valuable insights into how they are progressing towards the Global Biodiversity Framework, particularly Target 15, through measurement metrics, certifications, and impact reports that strengthen transparency and the private sector’s commitment to biodiversity. 

The session was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, including Rita Mesquita, Secretary of Biodiversity, Forests and Animal Rights, and Carlos Eduardo Marinello, Chief of Staff, enriching the dialogue with government perspectives. 

The LIFE Coalition brings together organizations committed to responsible business practices, promoting solutions that align economic development with environmental conservation, demonstrating the positive impact of business engagement on the global biodiversity agenda. 

LIFE Coalition member representatives also participated in the LIFE Coalition meeting and dinner, which featured an inspiring opening speech by Matt Jones, Chief Impact Officer at UNEP/WCMC. In this networking event, members and guests shared experiences and reaffirmed their collective commitment to practices that promote environmental conservation and integrate biodiversity into business management. 

In addition to these events, LIFE Certification was featured in the side event “Leveraging ecolabels and sustainable public procurement for biodiversity,” promoted by UNEP and partners, and contributed its expertise to the discussion hosted by Fundación Avina at the event “Climate adaptation in Pan-Amazonia: the role of the private sector.” 

LIFE metrics were highlighted in the panel “Nature Positive Path: Metrics, Targets and Indicators” at the I Care 4 Nature event, which also highlighted biodiversity credits as a conservation tool and reporting frameworks like TNFD and SBTN. During this event, the LIFE Manual for TNFD was launched, offering guidance on how the LIFE Methodology is used to report to TNFD and provides valuable insights for companies and institutions seeking to integrate biodiversity into their practices and reporting. 

Acknowledgments to Sponsors 

LIFE Institute thanks its sponsors Itaipu Binacional, BRDE, and Sanepar, whose partnership was essential for this strategic participation, reinforcing their commitment to the biodiversity agenda.