COP16: What is biodiversity and how are we protecting it?

From 21 October until 1 November, delegates are meeting in Cali, Colombia to take stock of national pledges to protect nature, amid concerns countries are back-sliding on their promises.

Recent analysis suggests, external most countries are set to miss the deadline to submit new national action plans for preserving nature.

Key issues include the scale of ambition in meeting specific targets, finance for biodiversity projects in poorer countries and making sure profits from genetic resources are shared fairly.

Colombian environment minister, Susana Muhamad, who is overseeing the meeting, has set the theme, ‘Peace with Nature’, a call to rethink our relationship with the natural world.

Several presidents are expected to attend, including Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Mexico’s incoming president, Claudia Sheinbaum.