PEFC at the COP 16 Biodiversity Conference

COP 16 brings together representatives from over 190 countries to assess global progress on biodiversity commitments. The conference marks a pivotal moment in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022.

PEFC at the COP 16 Biodiversity Conference

21 October 2024 Upcoming event

The 16^th United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP 16) is currently taking place in Cali, Colombia, from 21 October to 1 November 2024.

This event brings together representatives from over 190 countries to assess global progress on biodiversity commitments. The conference marks a pivotal moment in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022.

The framework sets 23 targets aimed at halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030, including protecting 30% of the planet’s land and oceans and restoring degraded ecosystems.

One of the main goals of COP 16 is to develop a robust monitoring system to track progress and mobilise the necessary financial resources. A key focus is ensuring that governments align their national biodiversity strategies with global goals, with emphasis on equitable benefit-sharing and reducing environmentally harmful subsidies.

Forests and Biodiversity

Forests, the cradle of Earth’s biodiversity, are crucial. Our interaction with them will determine the fate of countless species. Sustainable forest management is key to preserving these vital ecosystems. By balancing ecological, economic, and social needs, we can ensure forests continue to thrive and support biodiversity.

Forest management is essential to biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, economic benefits, ecosystem services, and community livelihoods. Sustainable forest management not only protects biodiversity but also supports the livelihoods of millions of people, mitigates climate change, and maintains ecosystem services.

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Join us at COP 16

Join us on 30 October, 11:30 at The Netherlands Pavilion.

The side event 'Sustainable Forest Management: Key to Biodiversity', hosted by IBA, WBCSD, and PEFC, will spotlight successful practices, innovative projects, how they contribute to the Global Biodiversity Framework, and the challenges faced by forestry stakeholders worldwide in promoting biodiversity conservation.

The Brazilian Tree Industry (Ibá), an association responsible for institutionally representing the planted tree production chain in Brazil, will present how the industry has been working to demonstrate that production and conservation can go hand in hand, and how the activities promoted by the Brazilian planted forest companies are aligned with the Global Biodiversity Framework.

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), through its Forest Solutions Group, a global platform, leads businesses in the forest products sector to build and share solutions for sustainable development through nature-positive, net-zero, and just transition agendas.

PEFC International safeguards biodiversity through its rigorous sustainable forest management standards. These standards ensure the maintenance, conservation, and enhancement of ecosystem biodiversity by protecting ecologically important forest areas and prohibiting forest conversions. PEFC’s approach is tailored to the specific needs of different forest ecosystems, considering local legal, administrative, and socio-cultural contexts.

By promoting practices that balance ecological, economic, and social needs, PEFC helps maintain the vitality and productivity of forests, ensuring they continue to support diverse species and provide essential ecosystem services.

Time	Topic	Speaker
11:30 – 11:35	Introduction	Gary Dunning, Executive Director, The Forests Dialogue (TFD)
11:35 – 11:42	Biodiversity and nature at the core of forest certification, which promotes SFM as a holistic approach to balance competing needs while protecting forests Official indicator for Target 10, making a difference for biodiversity in close to 300 million hectares of certified forests. Impact projects both by national members and certified companies.	Thorsten Arndt, Head of Advocacy, PEFC International
11:42 – 11:55		Caitlin Clarke, Director, Policy and External Affairs, BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group
11:55 – 12:02	The Brazilian planted tree industry has long considered sustainability a strategic pillar of its business plan, demonstrating that production alongside conservation is possible. In recent months, Ibá gathered and selected over 200 examples showcasing successful practices promoted by Brazilian planted forest companies, which demonstrate their commitment to the biodiversity agenda and their contributions to the targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The result is the publication titled Biodiversity: A Commitment by the Brazilian Planted Tree Industry, which will be launched at COP16.	Patricia Machado, Forestry Policies and Bioeconomy Manager, Ibá
12:02 – 12:15		Marina Negrisoli, Director of Sustainability at Suzano S.A.
12:15 – 12:22	The forest sector, as we have seen, is actively engaging into the nature positive journey (some of our KPIs) There is proliferation of voluntary or regulatory frameworks to abide by, or report to. We have explored how to practically help and support business in this reporting and disclosure exercise -> metrics tool (Sumitomo to give their perspective and further describe the tool). Later could also support target setting 2025 will see the tool online (user-friendly/interactive) in an Amazon-like interface.	Bernard de Galembert, Director, Forest Solution Group, WBCSD
12:22 – 12:35		Yuuko Iizuka, Executive Officer, Sustainability Department, Sumitomo Forestry
12:35 – 12:45		Gary Dunning, Executive Director, The Forests Dialogue (TFD)