Sixteenth meeting of Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity

Background

The 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Cali, Colombia, is a critical international gathering to advance the objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), and importantly, to adopt the means of implementation for the GBF. In other words, where COP 15 was an important milestone as regards setting ambitious targets for protection, preservation, conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, COP 16 has a fundamental role to play in setting out the tangible steps and identifying the mechanisms through which those targets can be achieved on the ground.  

As new studies continue to show the alarming decline of wildlife, with increased threats to flora and fauna and a downward spiral that leads to further species extinction, COP 16 is an opportunity to translate high-level commitments and ambition into a series of tangible transformative actions, together with ensuring that the level of funding is commensurate with the challenge to mitigate these negative impacts, halt further loss of species and, where possible, reverse the decline in nature and ecosystem services. 

Why is Island Conservation attending? 

Island Conservation’s mission is to restore islands for nature and people worldwide. We envision a world filled with vibrant biodiversity, resilient oceans, and thriving island communities. Island Conservation is attending CBD COP 16 to demonstrate the holistic benefits of island restoration through the removal of invasive alien species and restoration of native ecosystems and biodiversity, to ocean health, livelihoods and climate resilience.

Islands are on the front lines of climate change and declining ocean health, both compounded by the critical negative impacts of invasive alien species. Islands are also biodiversity hotspots, sheltering and nurturing invaluable native species of flora and fauna on land and in their near-shore marine areas. They are beacons of hope for a more sustainable planet.

What is Island Conservation promoting or contributing to? 

Drawing on over three decades of experience, Island Conservation promotes a science-based approach and innovative tools, grounded in authentic community engagement to holistically restore islands alongside indigenous and local communities. By removing invasive alien species, accelerating recovery of ecosystems, rewilding with native and/or ecologically important species, we promote multiple benefits to nature and people, contributing directly to solutions to the triple threat of climate change, biodiversity loss, and declining ocean health. 

What outcomes are we seeking? 

Islands and the oceans that surround them will either be the first measure of our collective failure to take the urgent action needed, or a shining example of our ability to succeed. For Island Conservation, islands can be a fabulous barometer for success and, with our partners, we are seeking recognition of the major role islands can play as laboratories for cross-cutting scalable solutions, innovative approaches and measurable outcomes that demonstrate how we can turn the tide on biodiversity loss, restore marine ecosystems and ocean health, protect, preserve and sustainably manage the environment for the benefit of the natural world, and for the lives and livelihoods of island communities.

Island Conservation recognises that everything is connected, from ridge to reef and the ocean beyond. Through our presence and engagement at COP 16, we are looking to catalyse partnerships and funding that can help leverage the incredible power of the biodiversity-ocean-climate nexus. Hand-in-hand with traditional knowledge and indigenous leadership, innovative science and technology can restore and rewild islands by removing invasive alien species, re-establishing native plants and animals and maximising co-benefits at the land-sea interface to foster healthier marine ecosystems and rejuvenated ecosystem services. Ambition will set us on the path to take us there! Funding availability and access, enabling policy frameworks, recognition of islands for their potential to drive the change we need and on-the-ground conservation action will help make that vision a reality.

Restored, rewilded, healthy islands are part of the global biodiversity, climate and ocean solution. Island restoration can help meet national, regional and international targets across those areas and the 2030 Agenda. Therefore, we look to COP16 to more decisively integrate between the global biodiversity, oceans, and climate change agendas; To amplify the voices of island peoples; To invest at scale in the development and implementation of solutions; To showcase what success can look like if we act decisively.

In addition, Island Conservation considers that there is a unique opportunity to raise global ambition for islands and ecosystems and we are looking to mobilize partners to join us in calling for a United Nations sanctioned Decade of Island Restoration: Islands for Impact! We believe that this will provide a new convening framework and a platform for ambitious partnerships and concrete action to truly catalyze the potential of holistic island restoration for nature, oceans, people and a climate resilient planet.

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