WWF CAMEROON’s Post

With the UN biodiversity summit COP16 concluding last week in Colombia, we have been reflecting on the role of nature in the built environment – and the impact Buro Happold can have. We recognise that even seemingly innocuous elements like street lighting can have a profound impact on wildlife. Our biodiversity and lighting experts collaborated closely with globally-recognised turtle and artificial light assessment specialists to advise on the development of a major tourism destination on the shores of the Red Sea - AMAALA, Saudi Arabia. The goal? To ensure that the nesting beaches of critically-endangered hawksbill sea turtles remain undisturbed by one of the Middle East’s most ambitious projects. Our Framework Action Plan ensures that AMAALA thrives as a model of sustainable development, where nature and progress coexist harmoniously. Learn more about our biodiversity conservation work for AMAALA here: https://buro.im/4cYrfUI #BuroHappold #Consultancy #Advisory #BuiltEnvironment #Construction #AMAALA #SaudiArabia #RedSea #Biodiversity #Conservation #Sustainability #COP16

Today marks the start of the United Nations Biodiversity Conference of Parties, COP16, in Cali, Colombia—a defining moment for our planet’s biodiversity! As leaders gather in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, the focus is on turning the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) into action. This isn’t just about conservation; it’s about ensuring a sustainable future for industries like tourism, which can transform how we preserve ecosystems. We must shift our perspective, moving away from exploitative tourism models toward approaches that regenerate habitats, uplift local economies, and foster cultural exchange. As delegates, Indigenous leaders, and civil society unite, recognising tourism as a key driver of biodiversity protection is essential. The decisions made at COP16 will shape a future where tourism is a force for regeneration and resilience. #COP16 #Biodiversity #SustainableTourism #RegenerativeTourism #Colombia #ClimateAction Alison Burgh Nicole Layolle Kevin Millington Sally Gandon

Have you been following COP16, the biodiversity COP that has just finished in Colombia? The key focus at COP16 was how countries will fulfill their pledge to protect at least 30% of the world's land and water by 2030, as was agreed under the landmark Global Biodiversity Framework in 2022. There are five key areas for driving progress: 1) Delivering robust and equitable National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans clearly outlining HOW they will contribute to achieving the goals set out in the framework. 2) Linking of policies on nature protection to policies on food systems and water security - the single biggest driver of biodiversity loss 3) Better financing and incentives for supporting nature restoration and protection 4) Greater recognition for Indigenous Peoples and other highly impacted communities 5) Transparent and consistent monitoring and tracking of progress (source: https://lnkd.in/etMjvMtv)  One positive outcome of COP16 was a more organised and structured way for indigenous people - who own or manage land that’s home to many of the worlds most important biodiversity- to ensure their voices are hard and needs are met. Responsible tourism is one of the key ways for indigenous communities to benefit from conservation, which is a subject in our Nature Positve tourism training. As tourism professionals, we are also agents of positive change, and we have the opportunity to ensure that both nature and local economies thrive. Want to learn more? Sign up for our Nature Positive tourism training program! Find details on moyotraining.com #NatureBasedTourism #COP16 #NaturePositive #TourismTraining #NatureTraining #RegenerativeTourism #WildlifeTourism #Biodiversity #Rewilding Aukje van Gerven

🌱🌎🚦 From today Monday on and during the next coming weeks, I am participating in the 2024 UN Biodiversity Conference of the Parties (COP16 Colombia) in #Cali (South America) and this is probably the most beautiful and emotive tribute to Nature: The National Anthem of the Republic of #Colombia performed by its Biodiversity. Compare this version with the one executed by Humans to notice the mind-blowing level of creativity (https://lnkd.in/e7fFZwpi). Internationally known as one of the megadiverse countries, Colombia is the world's most biodiverse per square kilometer, ranking second for species richness by hosting around the 10% of the planet’s flora and fauna. Nearly all possible natural landscapes on Earth can be found in Colombia: Andean glaciers/volcanoes/mountains, deserts, Orinoco plains, Amazon/Choco rainforest, Atlantic-Caribbean/Pacific coastlines/islands, among others (https://lnkd.in/eQYuPNMm). The video is way too much touching and reminds us how endlessly beautiful #Nature can be but at the same time how fragile it can be under the sometimes-perverse rule of #Humankind. The stakes are tremendously high, and we must promptly and wisely act now in order for the Planet #Earth to be able to keep sustaining life in the future. At Youth For Public Transport (Y4PT) we are committed to this end, and we are doing our best to bring the impact of the whole transport sector on world's biodiversity to the fore, by holding a Global #COPversation, sharing a Global #Manifesto and launching a Global #Coalition to make nature conservation and transport advancement compatible. Sustainable mobility at peace with nature now! (https://lnkd.in/e5tK73mc). All credits to the authors of the video and thank you infinitely for this priceless gift. Bravissimi! 👏🙌 #COP16 #COP16Colombia #COP16Biodiversity #COP16Biodiversidad #Biodiversity #Biodiversidad #Colombia #Cali #PeaceWithNature #PazConLaNaturaleza #COPversatorio #Conversation #Naturaleza #SustainableTransport #SustainableMobility #Transport #Transporte #Mobility #Movilidad #Logistica #Logistics UITP | Eurocities | POLIS Network | CIVITAS Initiative | NetZeroCitiesEU | ITF - International Transport Forum | WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities | ICLEI | United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) | UN Climate Change | UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) | UN Environment Programme | International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) | SLOCAT Partnership on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport | Climate & Clean Air Coalition | Sustainable Mobility for All (SuM4All) | Walk21 Foundation | European Cyclists' Federation | World Resources Institute | C40 Cities | Bloomberg Philanthropies | International Maritime Organization | International Air Transport Association (IATA) | International Civil Aviation Organization | European Space Agency - ESA | UIC - International union of railways #UICrail

With Cali, Colombia confirmed as host for #COP16, discover how this ‘megadiverse’ country is leading conservation efforts 🌎🌱 *** 1. Megadiverse Country 🦎: Colombia is one of seventeen megadiverse countries globally and the most biodiverse country per hectare. 2. Species Richness 🦋 : Around 63,000 species have been registered in Colombia, with 14 percent of them endemic to the country. 3. Birds and Orchids 🦜🌺: Colombia proudly claims the first position in the world for the number of bird and orchid species. 4. Páramo Ecosystems ⛰️: Colombia is home to over 50% of the world’s Páramo ecosystem, a unique high-altitude shrubland (see picture) that provides fresh drinking water to millions.  5. Protected Areas 👏: Colombia has already protected 31% of its lands and 37% of its waters, putting it well ahead of the global goal to protect 30% by 2030. 6. Innovative Nature Finance 💸: Colombia was an early adopter of innovative financing mechanisms such as payment for ecosystem services, and now has leading companies developing biodiversity credits (see Terrasos). 7. Rights of Nature ⚖️: Colombia has granted several of its important ecosystems – the Atrato River, the Colombian Amazon, and the Páramo de Pisba – legal personhood, giving them an extra level of protection while challenging dominant conceptions of nature. With such an abundance of natural capital and array of innovative policies introduced to protect it, Colombia is an excellent choice for COP16. In this decade and beyond, it is essential that we transform economic systems so that such natural wealth is properly valued and those that protect it are fairly rewarded. Sustain Value is looking forward to engaging with friends and colleagues at the conference to help better highlight the true value of nature, unlock critical #NatureFinance and propel the shift towards a #NaturePositive future. It is early days yet, but will you be attending, or are you based in Colombia? Please do reach out to connect. Robert West, one of our core team members, is based in Bogotá and is eager to collaborate. COP16 represents a great opportunity to help achieve ‘peace with nature’ by finally recognising its immense value. Let’s work together to sustain it for generations to come. 🌱🌎 #COP16 #Biodiversity #PeaceWithNature James Spurgeon, Samir Fryatt, Matt Smith, Mark Gough, Martin Lok Links https://lnkd.in/eUBNi7p4 https://lnkd.in/eDpgki8t https://lnkd.in/e95HErZR

An international agreement part of the UN enviroment program adopted at COP15 to protecting the planet’s biodiversity and promoting sustainable use of natural resources. This framework sets ambitious targets and goals for the preservation of biodiversity worldwide, emphasizing the urgent need for collaborative action among nations and stakeholders. The GBF establishes 23 specific targets for 2030: 🎯 Conserve 30% of the land, sea, and inland waters. 🌊 Restore 30% of degraded ecosystems. 🌱 Halve the introduction of invasive species. 💰 Reduce harmful subsidies by 500 billion dollars a year. In the travel industry, Destination Management is closely related to conservation, sustainability, and supporting local economies that rely on tourism. 𝑇𝑜 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒, 𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑘 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒: https://www.cbd.int/gbf #Sustainability #COP15 #GBF

Every two years, global leaders meet to discuss the state of life on Earth, negotiating agreements to preserve biodiversity and halt environmental destruction. This week, American Bird Conservancy joined government representatives from 196 countries, NGOs, businesses, and others in Cali, Colombia, for the 16th UN Conference of the Parties summit (#Cop16)! ABC was honored to contribute to the conference as part of the “Preventing Global Extinctions and Meeting Global Biodiversity Framework Targets: Alliance for Zero Extinction site conservation” event yesterday afternoon. This is one of 4 COP16 events focused on the Alliance for Zero Extinction, a consortium of over 125 NGO partners dedicated to preventing species extinctions, chaired by ABC. Mike Parr, ABC President and Chair of AZE, introduced the event, which included talks by ABC partner SAVE Brasil, BirdLife International, and representatives of the governments of Chile and Colombia. Our partners presented case studies from across the globe to share different approaches to conserving AZE sites and highlight actions businesses can take to help prevent extinctions to a packed room of attendees. Learn more about AZE at https://bit.ly/3SfA0Bx. 🌏 📸 From left: Betsaida Cabrera Garcia, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales RD; Pedro Develey, Executive Director, SAVE Brasil; Megan Eldred, Senior Policy Manager, BirdLife International; Natalia Rodriguez Santos, Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible; Karolina Fierro Calderon, @institutohumboldt, Colombia; Mike Parr; Beatriz Brito, Ministerio del Medio Ambiente, Chile #COP16 #Biodiversity2024 #30x30 #BiodiversityCOP #ActForNature #GBF2030 #KBAsAtTheCOP16 #KBA #KeyBiodiversityAreas #KBAsAtCOP #Extinction #Biodiversity #Climate #ClimateChange #ClimateSummit

"🌍 The UN Biodiversity Conference 2024 is a critical moment for our planet's future. As we face unprecedented environmental challenges, prioritizing biodiversity conservation is not just an option—it's a necessity. Protecting our natural world means safeguarding the ecosystems that sustain life, support economies, and combat climate change. Let's commit to real actions and policies that put nature first, ensuring a thriving planet for generations to come. #UNBiodiversity2024 #BiodiversityMatters #NatureFirst #ProtectOurPlanet #LoveBiodiversityAroundYou #Ecosystem #Biodiversity #SocietyforEcosystemFunctionEducation

As the UN Biodiversity Conference (#COP16) unfolds in Cali, Colombia, ClimeCo is thrilled to shine a spotlight on our transformative nature-based project in the Andean cloud forests. Our project, in partnership with Saving Nature and Fundación Bioconservancy, focuses on reforesting over 556 hectares of cloud forest in Antioquia, a region renowned for its unparalleled biodiversity. These efforts are crucial as we collectively work towards the goals set out in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which is being reviewed and advanced during COP16. As world leaders gather to discuss crucial biodiversity strategies at COP16, we're reminded of the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving sustainable development. Our work in Colombia exemplifies how local action can drive global change. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gmqE6rjV #ClimeCo #EnvironmentalMarkets #Conservation #Biodiversity #Sustainability #CommunityEmpowerment #ClimateAction #COP16Colombia

A new 'Blue and Green Islands Integrated Program' seeks to foster nature-positive changes in 15 Small Islands Developing States: Belize, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Cuba, Maldives, Mauritius, Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Seychelles, Timor Leste, Trinidad & Tobago, and Vanuatu. Launched by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility, the $135 million initiative will emphasize the crucial role of nature and expand nature-based solutions to combat environmental degradation to: + Provide communities with the resources to expand successful initiatives that solve challenges faced by local people + Support sustainable agriculture and fisheries + Promote nature-friendly tourism + Reduce pollution + Improve resilience to extreme weather events. “Nowhere is the connection between a strong economy, a healthy environment, and a healthy people, clearer than in the Small Islands Developing States. Given their unique vulnerabilities to loss of biodiversity, plastic and waste pollution, and climate and socio-economic changes and shocks, SIDS are the best incubators of innovation for sustainable development with many initiatives that can have substantial impact on the planet and the people,” said Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, GEF CEO and Chairperson. “ In partnership with UN Environment Programme, FAO, The World Bank, World Wildlife Fund, IUCN, UN Convention to Combat Desertification and others, the initiative will provide a crucial and substantial means of support for sustainable economic diversification and job creation. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eJyuJjmK #nature #fornature #smallislandsdevelopingstates #SIDS #conservation #climate #sustainable #sustainabletourism #fishing #tourism #sustainableagriculture #pollution #plastics #plasticspollution #financing #gbf