CBD COP16: Addressing the Urgent Threats of Oil and Gas to Biodiversity

CBD COP16, held in Cali, Colombia from October 21 to November 1, is a pivotal moment for global leaders to address the impacts of oil and gas on biodiversity amidst challenges like climate change and pollution. With Colombia’s commitment to fossil fuel phaseout through the Fossil Fuels Non-Proliferation Treaty, the conference provides an opportunity to integrate these issues into biodiversity discussions. Offshore oil and gas activities, damaging marine ecosystems and threatening coastal communities, remain largely unaddressed in global biodiversity frameworks. The success of COP16 hinges on bold governmental actions to phase out fossil fuels and align ecological policies with climate goals, underscoring the urgency for a sustainable future.

As global leaders convene in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1 for the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16), a pivotal opportunity arises to address the substantial threats posed by fossil fuels to ecosystems and communities. The ongoing degradation of biodiversity, exacerbated by climate change, pollution, and habitat loss, aligns with the conference’s theme — “Make Peace with Nature”. This initiative requires urgent governmental action, yet true progress hinges upon confronting the significant challenge of the oil and gas sector, recognized as a principal contributor to the intertwined crises of climate change, biodiversity depletion, and pollution. As the host country, Colombia — an advocate for the Fossil Fuels Non-Proliferation Treaty (FFNPT) — is well-positioned to lead discussions aimed at integrating fossil fuel considerations into biodiversity negotiations. The offshore oil and gas industry, responsible for over 30% of its activities occurring at sea, has been expanding with the increasing operations of liquefied natural gas (LNG) production and deeper offshore drilling. This industrial activity is critically at odds with sustaining marine biodiversity, contributing to global warming, maritime pollution, and the disruption of the rights and livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples and coastal communities. Marine ecosystems are integral for the planet’s health, impacting fisheries, climate regulation, cultural practices, and water quality. Nonetheless, offshore oil and gas operations jeopardize these ecosystems through various stages including exploration, production, transportation, and abandonment. Seismic surveys during exploration have proven detrimental, resulting in significant mortality rates among marine mammals and causing cascading effects on foundational microorganisms within aquatic food webs. Additionally, routine oil spills during production phases further compromise marine health, while abandonment of infrastructure leads to heightened risks of invasive species proliferation and environmental degradation. Regrettably, offshore oil and gas exploitation remains significantly underrepresented in global biodiversity frameworks. To truly fulfill its mandate for biodiversity preservation, the CBD must prioritize the cessation of fossil fuel operations, especially in offshore contexts. During COP16, government representatives will evaluate their progress towards biodiversity objectives, yet without decisive measures aimed at regulating fossil fuels, many critical targets will remain unachievable. The Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) outlines ambitious initiatives to mitigate biodiversity loss, which must encompass tackling the ramifications of offshore oil and gas activities as a priority. Colombia’s proactive leadership at COP16 offers a crucial moment to address this oversight. The nation’s commitment to phasing out fossil fuels underlines the potential for high-level discussions that advocate for the integration of oil and gas considerations within biodiversity negotiations. This reinforces the call for countries to harmonize their biodiversity policies with climate action strategies, particularly concerning the Caribbean, where fossil fuel exploration threatens areas of high ecological importance. Transforming marine paper parks into genuine protected zones requires decisive action against oil and gas exploitation, ensuring ecological sensitivity is prioritized in spatial planning and licensing protocols. Moreover, it is imperative that public engagement, particularly from Indigenous Peoples and frontline communities, be central to decision-making processes surrounding oil and gas activities. Without integrating Indigenous perspectives and expertise, discussions may risk missing critical insights vital for effective policy implementation. As COP16 progresses, it is essential for governments to align biodiversity initiatives with climate actions outlined in Agenda item 25, thus avoiding superficial discussions devoid of tangible outcomes. The stakes are high: the fulfillment of COP16’s objectives is contingent upon governmental resolve to confront and dismantle the fossil fuel paradigm. Should governments neglect to phase out fossil fuels, commitments to “make peace with nature” will remain unfulfilled. Enabling robust action against the impacts of oil and gas on marine environments is not merely an option but a necessity to achieve global biodiversity targets and fulfill climate commitments. Colombia’s endorsement of the FFNPT serves as a clarion call to other nations: sustainable futures cannot emerge from ongoing investments in fossil fuels. It is time for global leaders attending COP16 to transition from rhetoric to resolute action — prohibiting oil and gas operations from marine protected areas, intertwining biodiversity and climate policies, and reassessing national strategies to phase out fossil fuel dependency. The pathway to a fossil-free, biodiversity-rich future demands immediate and comprehensive action, prioritizing the health of our oceans, ecosystems, and communities.

The article addresses the critical issues the oil and gas industry poses to biodiversity, particularly in the context of an international conference focused on biological conservation. It introduces the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) taking place in Colombia and emphasizes the urgency for governments to act in response to the escalating threats confronting global ecosystems due to fossil fuel exploitation. The context stresses Colombia’s leading role and the need for integrating fossil fuel consideration into biodiversity strategies to achieve sustainable environmental outcomes. This background provides insight into the broader environmental challenges and frameworks that guide discussions on biodiversity, highlighting the importance of taking comprehensive and coordinated actions to tackle the sources of biodiversity loss.

In summary, COP16 presents a vital opportunity for global leaders to unify biodiversity protection with climate action responses. By directly tackling the existential threats posed by oil and gas exploitation, particularly in marine environments, governments can make significant strides towards achieving biodiversity preservation goals and mitigating climate change. Colombia’s leadership through the Fossil Fuels Non-Proliferation Treaty emphasizes the need for collective action to eradicate fossil fuel dependency, safeguarding marine ecosystems, Indigenous rights, and the health of communities. The imperative for decisive and bold actions at COP16 is clear; the future of biodiversity rests upon the commitment to embrace a sustainable, fossil-free environment.

Original Source: www.ciel.org