A recent report by WWF revealed that since 1970, wildlife populations have declined by 73%. In just 50 years, nearly three-quarters of the world's wildlife has been lost. But as we know, healthy ecosystems are essential to our future and a resilient and productive planet.
Biodiversity supports the natural ecosystems on which we all depend. From clean water and food to culture, identity and spiritual connections, nature provides benefits throughout our lives. As biodiversity decreases, so does the environment we all need to survive. With more and more species under threat, the need for countries to work together to increase the world's biodiversity is more important than ever. One way to achieve this cooperation is through the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
What is the Convention on Biological Diversity?
The CBD is an international agreement focused on conserving biodiversity, promoting sustainable use and ensuring fair profits from genetic resources. All States Parties to or signatories to this Convention (currently 196 countries) are committed to supporting and working towards its core objectives.
The Parties are currently convening their 16th Conference of the Parties (CoP) in Colombia. The CBD CoP is held every two years and brings together representatives of all Parties to assess biodiversity progress and set international targets for protecting biodiversity.
Why this CBD is important
At the 15th CoP held in Montreal, Canada in December 2022, all parties agreed to protect 30% of the Earth's land, oceans, coastal areas and inland waters. Cut harmful government subsidies by $500 billion a year. Cut food waste in half by 2030.
These are ambitious but important goals, and tracking progress toward them can be difficult. Discussions at the 16th Conference of the Parties focused on national action through individual national biodiversity strategies and, importantly, how such strategies should be funded. It's being discussed.
Why is this important to Rhinos?
Of course, we want all five rhinos to thrive because we think rhinos are amazing (?) but rhinos are not only important in themselves, but also to other species, landscapes, and people. plays an important role.
Rhinos need a large, safe area with a variety of plant species, plenty of water and space to meet mates and give birth to new calves. Therefore, rhino conservation is closely linked to protecting large tracts of land. These spaces are home to many other species, from large mammals such as elephants, lions, and tigers (?) to the less admired but equally important birds, insects, plants, fungi, and even bacteria. It is also the habitat of By securing and protecting rhino habitat, we protect even more.
Nature knows no borders and no country can save rhinos on its own. CITES (Convention on Illegal Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international organization that regulates cross-border trade in wildlife products and addresses threats related to rhino horn trafficking and poaching. It's an institution. However, CBD CoPs also provide opportunities for collaboration. In preparation for CITES CoP20 at the end of 2025, CBD CoP16 is laying the groundwork for discussions on how tackling illicit trade can help combat biodiversity loss.
What's next?
Global conferences like CBD CoP16 are essential to uniting countries, calling for change and fostering cooperation to save the planet for people and nature. But bringing about real change will require strong and committed action. As the CBD draws to a close, we look forward to seeing what parties commit to achieving and what concrete steps they will take next.
