At COP16, UNEP FI will mobilize its extensive network of over 500 banks, insurers, and investors to emphasize the critical role of finance in biodiversity conservation. An extensive programme of discussions and events, including Finance and Biodiversity Day on 28 October, will highlight major initiatives and commitments from financial institutions. Our focus will be on implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework, aligning financial portfolios with biodiversity targets, and promoting innovative financial instruments. By facilitating high-level participation and collaborative efforts, UNEP FI aims to drive the finance sector’s contribution to global biodiversity goals, supporting the transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy.

Key events at COP16

21 – 31 October | Finance & Biodiversity Pavillion
Time: 08:00 – 18:00 COT
Location: Blue Zone (Centro de Eventos Valle del Pacífico)

Open to all COP16 participants, an opportunity to highlight UNEP FI members work and raise awareness of the role of private finance to achieve the Global Biodiversity Framework. In partnership with FfB and UNDP.

Download the Pavilion programme here

21 October | Nature in the Boardroom: Asking the right questions
Time: 09:00 – 10:00 COT
Location: Big Room D

This event will introduce the latest report, ‘Nature in the Boardroom: Asking the right questions’, which will equip board members of financial institutions with a comprehensive understanding of how nature-related risks and opportunities affect their strategic mandates and responsibilities. Financial institutions’ leadership, including board members and executive officers, must grasp the implications of nature on their evolving roles. This event, hosted by UNEP FI and Deloitte, will emphasize the fiduciary responsibility of financial institutions in considering nature into business models. Participants will learn the first insights in how to ensure proactive leadership and strategic decision-making for nature activation.

22 October | Just partnerships for T19: Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant communities
Time: 13:30 – 18:00 COT
Location: Valle del Pacífico Centro de Eventos, Calle15 #26-120 Autopista Cali – Yumbo, Yumbo, Hauptabteilung Valle del Cauca

Indigenous Peoples have important and unique rights linked to biodiversity that are recognised by the UN, but which are not always upheld in practice. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework challenges the financial sector to partner in a just and mutual way with Indigenous Peoples (covered by UNDRIP) as well as Afro-descendant and sometimes other types of local or tribal communities (with different UN recognition e.g. ILO Convention 169 and UNDROP) to further the ability of all actors to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030.
The financial sector has historically engaged with Indigenous Peoples mainly as “affected populations” in projects, with limited recognition of their leadership, their rights or their critical but undervalued successes in nature stewardship.
The event will focus on GBF Target 19, highlighting that a fair proportion of the USD 200 billion in new finance for nature annually must reach those who are defending and stewarding biodiversity. Any nature-related projects should be implemented respecting rights including FPIC and by applying high integrity principles – building on learnings from climate finance in the design of new instruments and markets where relevant.
The event will allow the financial sector to hear directly from Indigenous Peoples and Afro-descendant communities, and intends to be scene-setting for further exploration of the themes raised throughout the two-week Finance Pavilion agenda.
To register, click here. 

23 October | High Level Principles for Integrity and Governance of the Biodiversity Credit Market (Side Event)
Time: 11:40 – 13:00 COT
Location: Blue Zone (Academia & research, Plaza One) 

The panel will present the “High Level Principles for Integrity and Governance” as the primary guide for project developers, aiming to boost investor confidence by emphasizing shared market standards. It will cover key aspects such as equity, inclusion, verification, and governance to support high-quality biodiversity credits, while also addressing efforts to increase demand, promoting a unified approach to market development.
For more information, click here.

24 October | Private Nature Finance for Conservation (Side Event)
Time: 10:10 – 11:30 COT
Location: Blue Zone (Business and Industry Organizations – Room 5 E, 5th Floor, Plaza One)

This side event will address the need for increased private sector investment to achieve the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets by 2030. Despite ambitious goals, such as protecting 30% of land and water and mobilizing $200 billion annually, current funding from governments and philanthropy is insufficient. The session will explore market failures and innovative financial mechanisms to incentivise private investments, emphasising the need for regulation, de-risked returns, and sustainable management to overcome barriers to funding biodiversity conservation.
For more information, click here.

24 October | Community Advisory Panel (CAP) – Risks and Opportunities of the Biodiversity Credit Market (Side Event)
Time: 13:20 – 14:40 COT
Location: Blue Zone (JUSCANZ, Plaza One)

The event will introduce the Community Advisory Panel (CAP), a group of Indigenous People and Local Communities from around the world, focused on shaping the emerging biocredit market. The panel will present CAP’s objectives and perspectives on the risks and opportunities of biodiversity credits for these communities. CAP members with diverse viewpoints will discuss potential challenges and how Indigenous People and Local Communities can engage in the biocredit market equitably, lawfully, and respectfully.
For more information, click here.

24 October | Seize Your Transition Opportunity at COP16 (hosted by S&P Global)
Time: 13:30 – 19:00 COT
Location: The Hotel Dann Carlton, Cali

The transition to a net zero, sustainable future presents market opportunities at unprecedented speed and scale, alongside complex risk scenarios. Join S&P Global for an afternoon of insights during COP16 exploring nature positive solutions at the Hotel Dann Carlton Cali on Thursday, October 24, with a networking reception to follow.
For more information and registration, click here

25 October | The $200 Billion Opportunity: Unlocking Private Finance for NBSAPs to Meet Target 19 (Side Event)
Time: 13:20 – 14:40 COT
Location: Blue Zone (Africa, Plaza One)

To meet the $200 billion annual biodiversity target by 2030, countries are developing national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs) to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Policymakers are exploring ways to integrate private finance into these plans, using both market-based and regulatory approaches to support nature-positive investments and discourage harmful ones. Private finance is crucial for scaling up efforts to conserve, restore, and sustainably use ecosystems and biodiversity in line with national and global goals.
For more information, click here.

26 October | First-ever Latin America & Caribbean Finance and Biodiversity Day
Time: 8:30 – 18:30 COT
Location: Green Zone, Auditorium Banco de Occidente

This first-ever event will focus on mobilizing resources and aligning financial flows with the Global Biodiversity Framework in Latin America and the Caribbean. It will highlight regional solutions for global sustainability, addressing biodiversity conservation and a just transition. The event aims to create a roadmap to COP30, emphasizing the nature-climate nexus and leveraging the region’s progress for global impact. A deep dive into the unique challenges and opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean.  This event is co-organized by the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) with the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) regional teams of the following organizations (in alphabetical order): CDP, Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI), United Nations Climate Change High-Level Champions, Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). Allies include Asobancaria, Business for Nature (BfN), PCAF, SBTi, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) & IDB Invest, United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UN ECLAC) and WWF. The event will be held in Spanish with translation.
Register here by 27 September (limited capacity)

27 October | Banking on water: Why acting on water will deliver for nature, people and profit
Time: 15:00 COT
Location: Intercontinental Hotel

This event aims to demonstrate how bank and other financial institutions can turn water risk into reward in ways that deliver across a range of social, nature a business goals. Register below to learn about the current state of water-related action in the sector, how this contributes to nature-positive outcomes and be inspired by market-driven stories big and small.
To register, click here. 

28 October | Second-ever CBD Finance & Biodiversity Day
Time: 09:00 –18:30 COT
Location: Blue Zone (Centro de Eventos Valle del Pacífico)

High-level participation from financial institutions and policymakers, highlighting major initiatives and commitments focusing on the role of finance in biodiversity conservation, held in the blue zone. Check back here for more information. UNEP FI members will also receive updates via member communications.
For more information, click here.

29 October | Priority Actions for Insurance: Contributing to Nature-Positive and Resilient Future
Time: 14:30 – 15:30 COT
Location: Finance & Biodiversity Pavilion, Blue Zone (Centro de Eventos Valle del Pacífico)

In May 2024, UNEP’s Principles for Sustainable Insurance Initiative launched a Nature-Positive Insurance Working Group made up of over 40 insurance market participants from around the globe to advance progress on embedding nature into the insurance value chain through knowledge sharing and capacity building. At COP16, members of the PSI Working Group for Nature will provide an update on the development of recommendations for priority actions to start embedding nature in insurance organisations and to contribute to the mission of the Global Biodiversity Framework to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030.

Speakers:

• Aaron Vermeulen, Global Finance Practice Lead, WWF (Opening Remarks)
• Thomas Viegas, Nature Strategy Lead, Aviva (Panelist)
• Mariak Rueter, Group Head of Sustainability Strategy, AXA (Panelist)
• Hiroko Urashima, Manager, Sustainability Department, MS&AD (Panelist)

29 October | Interoperable sustainable finance taxonomies: a key tool to mobilize private capital for the Global Biodiversity Framework implementation (Side Event)
Time: 16:30 – 17:50 COT
Location: Blue Zone (Business and Industry Organizations – Room 5 E, Plaza One)

The event will explore how sustainable finance taxonomies can enhance private investment in biodiversity conservation and restoration, with a focus on the LAC Taxonomy Common Framework for Biodiversity. This framework aims to unify regional efforts by providing clear guidelines for attracting capital flows, supporting biodiversity goals in Latin America and the Caribbean, and aligning with global standards. Discussions will emphasize the importance of interoperability to reduce market fragmentation and foster a cohesive approach to sustainable finance. The framework serves as a model for other regions, promoting coordinated and effective investments in biodiversity.
For more information, click here.

30 October | Academia and practitioners: shifting finance for nature positive together
Time: 12:30 – 14:00 COT
Location: Valle del Pacífico Centro de Eventos, Calle15 #26-120 Autopista Cali – Yumbo, Yumbo, Hauptabteilung Valle del Cauca

This event will bring together leading academics and finance sector practitioners to explore how their collaboration can drive progress in aligning financial flows with global biodiversity goals. Through a series of presentations, panels, and interactive discussions, participants will share insights on new and emerging nature & finance research, practical challenges bringing research findings into practice, and successes in integrating nature into more effectively into finance supported through closer collaboration.
To register, click here. 

30 October | High-Level Session
Participation of ministers and high-level negotiators discussing key finance-related topics. Check back here for more information. UNEP FI members will receive updates via member communications.
More information to follow

Date TBA | “Informal” briefing with UNEP FI members
In-person meeting for UNEP FI members participating in COP16 on key topics discussed by negotiators, and the implications for the finance sector (location will be confirmed – please return to this page for updates. UNEP FI members will receive updates via member communications.
More information to follow

Online Events and Webinars

25 September |”We need to talk about Biodiversity” series | Countdown to Cali: Private sector contributions to resource mobilization
14:00 – 15:00 CET
Webinar

This webinar explored how aligning financial flows with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) can support biodiversity and address harmful financial practices. Key topics included the UNEP FI and Finance for Biodiversity Foundation’s nature-positive paper, the EU Business & Biodiversity Platform’s paper on business models for nature investment, and insights on COP16 in Cali, Colombia. A panel discussion also highlighted how financial institutions can enhance and track positive impact finance.
To watch the recording, click here.

17 October | Finance for Peace with Nature: Heading to COP 16
14:00 – 15:15 CET
Webinar

As we approach the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the global community stands at a critical juncture in our efforts to safeguard the planet’s biodiversity. COP16 in Cali, Colombia, represents a pivotal moment for the finance sector to drive forward the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and accelerate the transition towards a nature-positive economy. This timely webinar will provide essential insights and updates for financial institutions preparing for COP16, focusing on the crucial role of finance in biodiversity conservation and restoration. Our expert panel will delve into key developments and expectations, equipping attendees with the knowledge needed to navigate the evolving landscape of biodiversity finance.
To watch the recording, click here. 

Media

You can find our media advisory here. For any media enquiries, please contact Eneya Botoman Phiri.

About the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP

The Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is the primary governing body of the Convention, advancing global biodiversity conservation through strategic decisions at its periodic meetings. COP16 will be held from October 21 to November 1, 2024, in Cali, Colombia. This conference will focus on implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, with nations expected to align their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) with the framework. Participants will include government representatives, policymakers, and stakeholders who will discuss measures to conserve global biodiversity, mobilize financial resources, enhance capacity-building, and ensure the sustainable use of biodiversity. Key themes will include resource mobilization, capacity-building, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of genetic resources. 

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