On 24 October 2024, text-based negotiations at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) continued across multiple settings. Working Group II continued its consideration of conference room papers (CRPs), while several contact and informal groups engaged in deliberations throughout the day and into the night.

On 25 October 2024, the first week of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) conluded. Text-based negotiations continued, and the two Working Groups addressed conference room papers on items under the CBD, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CP), and the Nagoya Protocol (NP) on access and benefit-sharing (ABS). An evening plenary reviewed the progress made, addressed organisational matters, and adopted a series of decisions. On 26 and 27 October 2024, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) published a report on the State of Finance for Nature in Cities, and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) published two discussion papers.

On 28 October 2024, text-based negotiations continued at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Working Group II discussed several conference room papers (CRPs) on items under the CBD and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CP). Several contact and informal groups deliberated throughout the day and into the night, reporting progress on several issues, including digital sequence information (DSI), resource mobilisation, and Article 8(j) (traditional knowledge), although disagreements remained on several aspects. In addition, Nature Action 100 announced the results of its Benchmark assessments, the International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits (IAPB) launched its Framework for high integrity biodiversity credit markets, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) announced a pledge of $163m USD to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) published the 2024 Protected Planet report.

On 29 October 2024, at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the high-level segment featured statements from Heads of State and other senior representatives and officials, along with two ministerial dialogues addressing the implementation and financing of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Text-based negotiations continued in contact groups, with a stocktaking plenary scheduled for 30 October 2024. In addition, Colombia launched the ‘World Coalition for Peace with Nature: A Call for Life’ initiative, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed announced new criteria to achieve England’s 30by30 targets, and the 2024 Biodiversity Finance Trends Dashboard was launched.

On 30 October 2024, at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), progress was achieved, with agreements reached on ecologically or biologically significant marine areas (EBSAs) along with items related to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) and traditional knowledge. An evening plenary adopted the new programme of work on Article 8(j). Working Groups also continued their deliberations, and the high-level segment concluded its deliberations.

On 31 October 2024, at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Working Groups I and II considered conference room papers (CRPs), while two contact groups made progress on the revised resource mobilisation strategy and financial mechanism. Presidency consultations focused on resource mobilisation and digital sequence information (DSI). In an evening plenary, Armenia was elected as the host of COP 17, to be held in 2026. The EU also announced a package of new initiatives to support partner countries and safeguard global biodiversity.

Title Glasgow Summit (COP26/CMP16) Location Glasgow, United Kingdom Date 31 October–12 November 2021 Subject Climate change, international environmental law, climate targets Background on the UNFCCC The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty agreed at the 1992 ‘Earth Summit’ in Rio de Janeiro. Its objective is to stabilise greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous levels of anthropogenic climate change. There are 197 signatories (referred to as Parties) to the UNFCCC. The initial objective of the UNFCCC was to establish national benchmark figures for GHG emissions, with a base year of 1990. The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the decision-making body of the Convention. It meets annually, unless Parties decide otherwise, to assess progress in dealing with climate change. For more information, see Practice Note: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 1992—snapshot. Some of the key historic UN climate change conferences include: • COP15 in Copenhagen, 2009 • COP16 in Cancun, 2010 • COP17 in Durban, 2011 • COP18 in Doha, 2012

ARCHIVED: This Practice Note has been archived and is not maintained. Title Sharm el-Sheikh Summit (COP27/CMP17/CMA4) Location Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt Date 6 November–20 November 2021 Subject Climate change, international environmental law, climate targets Background on the UNFCCC The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty agreed at the 1992 ‘Earth Summit’ in Rio de Janeiro. Its objective is to stabilise greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous levels of man-made climate change. There are 198 signatories (referred to as Parties) to the UNFCCC. The initial objective of the UNFCCC was to establish national benchmark figures for GHG emissions, with a base year of 1990. The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the decision-making body of the Convention. It meets annually, unless Parties decide otherwise, to assess progress in dealing with climate change. For more information, see Practice Note: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 1992—snapshot. Some of the key historic UN climate change conferences include: • COP15 in Copenhagen, 2009 • COP16

The 29th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) officially began on 11 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The United Arab Emirates have handed over presidency to H.E. Mukhtar Babayev, having hosted COP28 in November 2023. Mr Babayev, along with UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, emphasised the need for parties to commit to an agreement on climate finance. The EU also issued a joint statement reaffirming its commitment to strengthening gender integration in global climate action. Consensus was reached on standards for carbon credits under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement, ensuring high-integrity emissions reductions, and High-Level Energy Transition Dialogues launched initiatives to scale up renewable energy and efficiency.

On 12 November 2024, the World Climate Action Summit (WCAS) commenced at the 29th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). The Fund for responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) was operationalised, and negotiations began on a new collective quantified goal (NCQG) on climate finance. In addition, the UK announced a new nationally determined contribution (NDC) target to reduce emissions by 81% by 2035, along with funding for forest protection.

On 13 November 2024, the World Climate Action Summit (WCAS) continued at the 29th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). Negotiations continued on the new collective quantified goal (NCQG) on climate finance, with developing countries emphasising the importance of public finance. The operationalisation of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) advanced. Parties discussed guidance for cooperative approaches under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, focusing on addressing inconsistencies in reporting. Deliberations also occurred on further guidance for NDC features, follow-up to the Global Goal on Adaptation framework, and the review of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage.

On 14 November 2024, the fourth day of the 29th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) focused on finance, investment, and trade. The Sixth High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Finance highlighted the significant divergence of views regarding the new finance goal to be defined in Baku. Discussions on ‘action for climate empowerment’, focusing on societal engagement in climate action, made progress. In addition, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) released its final report on promoting financial integrity and orderly functioning of Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCMs), the Independent High-Level Expert Group (IHLEG) on Climate Finance published its third report, the UN Forum for Insurance Transition (FIT) launched the first global guide on transition plans for insurers, the Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA) issued an open letter urging governments to stimulate demand for green products, and the Taskforce on Net Zero Policy published a report assessing the progress of global corporate and financial net zero policies.