After eight years of negotiations, the sixteenth United Nations Conference on Biological Diversity (COP16) taking place in Cali, Colombia, has adopted a significant text on the implementation modalities for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) for the coming years.
Following the adoption of the Global Biodiversity Framework from Kunming-Montreal, which sets the goal of 30% of Marine Protected Areas by 2030, there was still a need for a formal decision on the specific objectives and concrete pathways to achieve this, including criteria and tools. With the arrival of over a hundred environment ministers in Cali this week, negotiators were finally able to produce a text proposal that will reform the existing tool for creating MPAs, known as EBSAs (Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas).
Why Is It Essential to Revise the Tools for Creating Marine Protected Areas?
This reform of the EBSAs criteria is crucial because this tool was created nearly twenty years ago, at a time when science did not have the technologies and knowledge available today, such as genomics, digital imaging, bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence. During negotiations, several countries leveraged this situation to undermine the MPA creation process, arguing that existing tools were inadequate, not sufficiently consensual, or ineffective.
What Will Be the Next Steps?
The Tara Ocean Foundation welcomes this decision and will actively participate in the implementation of EBSAs 2.0 as an observer member of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Just as it has done within the framework of the High Seas Biodiversity Treaty (BBNJ), the scientific community associated with the Tara Ocean Foundation, alongside the recent Plankton Manifesto, will advocate for the inclusion of plankton and the ocean microbiome in future tools. Specifically, this participation will involve workshops and proposals for establishing a permanent group for implementing Article 8 of the Convention, which governs protected areas.
Incorporating management protocols and tools that consider the ecosystem representing about 80% of marine life will certainly be complex but essential. It will allow for a more integrated and holistic view of the ocean, going beyond just fish and large mammals, which have historically been the focus of conservation strategies within the Convention.
Building with Southern Countries
Starting in 2025, several working sessions will be proposed by the Convention’s secretariat in consultation with countries from all continents. The first workshop will take place in Dakar in February 2025, allowing the Tara Ocean Foundation to connect with the Plankt’ECO project, part of which is based in Senegal. This consideration of Southern countries’ voices is vital, as some nations have criticized the CBD for defining criteria driven solely by Northern states, experts, and NGOs. A scientifically robust process that is also politically transparent and inclusive will be key to achieving the goal of protecting at least 30% of the ocean.
Uncertainties Regarding Digital Marine Genetic Resource Management
Alongside the good news regarding MPAs, uncertainties remain about the management mechanism for digital genetic resources, known as DSI (Digital Sequenced Information). Southern countries insist on creating a mandatory benefit-sharing mechanism for the exploitation of these digitized genetic sequences, while Northern countries propose a more flexible voluntary mechanism. Several technical questions regarding the amount and terms of this monetary sharing remain unresolved as of Friday, the last day of negotiations, likely pushing decisions on this management and benefit-sharing mechanism to COP17.
Disappointments on Funding Despite a Large Number of Financial Actors Mobilized
Regarding biodiversity funding, despite hundreds of side events proposing new financing ideas, progress remains insufficient as the COP draws to a close. Southern countries, led by the African group, are calling for concrete monetary contributions from states to the biodiversity fund, ideally amounting to $200 billion per year. On the other hand, a majority of states are advancing proposals for green financing based on carbon credits and biodiversity credits, which have not yet reached consensus among negotiators. Clearly, ambitious decisions and firm proposals on biodiversity financing will have to wait until the next COP17.
