The United Nations Biodiversity Conference of Parties 16 (COP16)

FSC at COP-16

In October 2024, governments from around the world will gather in Cali, Colombia, for the United Nations Biodiversity Conference of Parties 16 (COP16). The key focus will be discussions and negotiations around putting the Kunming-Montreal Agreement (COP15) into action, through National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plans (NBSAPs).

The three main areas of focus will be:

Implementing the Global Biodiversity Plan: Governments will need to develop and align their NBSAPs) with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Enhancing Monitoring and Funding: COP-16 will work on improving the monitoring system and increasing financial support to achieve the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework.
Finalizing Benefit-Sharing Mechanisms: A key task will be to finalize and implement a system for the fair sharing of benefits, especially with indigenous communities from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources.

OUR MISSION AT COP-16

At the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), we believe forest stewardship offers the best path forward to addressing pressing global challenges, such as biodiversity loss (SDG 15). FSC is dedicated to ensuring that forests are managed and valued as vibrant ecosystems, rich in biodiversity, and resilient in the face of climate change.

Responsible forest stewardship through active forest management is, therefore, essential to enabling forest biodiversity goals that countries establish in NBSAPs. FSC Certification is our core solution -- with 30 years of implementation and continuous development.

COP16 represents an opportunity to demonstrate to relevant stakeholders, particularly governments, how FSC certification can support their goals and how they can also contribute to scaling up the uptake of FSC certification in their countries through different policies, strategies and initiatives.

Learn more why forests matter for biodiversity. →

FSC SOLUTIONS FOR BIODIVERSITY

FSC Forest Management Certification

FSC certification is our core solution and already widely available to support management and monitoring of forests. Indeed, the area of FSC certified forest is already classified as a component indicator - “Area of forest under sustainable management: total forest management certification by the Forest Stewardship Council...” to measure progress towards Target 10.2 of the KMGBF- sustainable forest management.

As we make changes to the FSC certification system over the coming years, we believe the data that becomes available from our system will also be even more relevant and useful to report back on other targets - in particular Target 2 (Restoration), Target 3 (Protected/ Conservation Areas), Target 9 (Sustainable use of wild species) and Target 15 (Biodiversity Disclosures by business).

Discover how FSC certification promotes sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation.

FSC Verified Impact

This unique tool is also classified in the KMGBF Monitoring Framework- this time as a complementary indicator associated with Goal B.1 - Services provided by ecosystems:

“Number of certified forest areas under sustainable management with verified impacts on biodiversity conservation”.

Learn about FSC’s innovative tool that allows companies to measure and report on their positive impact on biodiversity.

Find FSC at these side events

From 21 October to 1 November, an FSC delegation will attend the COP-16 and be leading or presenting at the following events:

21 October | 8:00-10:00 | Green Zone

Zero deforestation agreements – early adopter EUDR and Community and Family Forests

FSC presenters: Regina Massai (FSC Chile) and Daniel Bedoya (FSC Colombia).

Host: Colombia government

22 October | TBC | Blue Zone

Leveraging ecolabels, sustainable public procurement and sustainable taxonomy for biodiversity protection

FSC presenter: Matteo Mascolo (FSC International).

Host: Brazil government and UNEP

23 October | 16:00-17:15 | Blue Zone

World Bank event on EUDR

FSC presenters: Matteo Mascolo / Joanna Nowakowska (FSC International)

MDB Pavillion

24 October | 14:30-16:00 | Blue Zone

Equity in Action: Nature-Based Financial Pathways to Protect Forests and Biodiversity

Host: FSC International

IUCN Pavilion

25 October | 18:30-19:30 | Museo La Tertulia

7th GLF Investment Case Symposium

Priorities and solutions for a global Biodiversity Finance Roadmap

FSC presenter: Subhra Bhattacharjee (FSC International)

Host: Global Landscapes Forum

26 October | 11:20-11:45 | Museo La Tertulia

World Biodiversity Summit

Forest Management 2.0: Innovations and Applications

FSC presenter: Anand Punja (FSC International)

26 October | TBC | Blue Zone

UNCTAD

FSC presenter: Daniel Kobei, Director of Ogiek Peoples Development Program (on behalf of FSC Int.)

28 October | 19:30-22:30 | Hotel Intercontinental (Invitation only)

Driving positive biodiversity outcomes through FSC certification

Presenters: Joeri Zwerts (Utrecht University), Madame Prudence Galega (CBD Negotiator), Anand Punja (Moderator).