CBD COP16: A Vital Opportunity to Address Offshore Oil and Gas Impacts on Biodiversity

As world leaders meet at COP16 in Cali, Colombia, they have a crucial opportunity to address the oil and gas industry’s adverse effects on biodiversity. The conference’s theme, “Make Peace with Nature,” emphasizes the need for urgent action against fossil fuels, particularly offshore operations, which play a significant role in climate change and biodiversity loss. Colombia’s supportive stance on the Fossil Fuels Non-Proliferation Treaty places it in a leading position to advocate for necessary changes that align biodiversity and climate action. Governments must act decisively to phase out fossil fuels to achieve meaningful progress towards global biodiversity targets.

As the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) convenes in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1, world leaders face a pivotal opportunity to address the detrimental impact of fossil fuels on ecosystems, communities, and the climate. With biodiversity increasingly threatened by factors such as climate change, pollution, and habitat degradation, the conference’s theme, “Make Peace with Nature,” serves as a clarion call for urgent government action. However, achieving this peace seems improbable without confronting the significant influence of oil and gas, a principal contributor to the intertwined crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and toxic pollution. In its role as host, Colombia supports the Fossil Fuels Non-Proliferation Treaty (FFNPT) and stands in a crucial position to advocate for a collective acknowledgment of the urgent need to combat oil and gas activities within these negotiations. The offshore oil and gas sector, which accounts for over 30 percent of global operations and is expanding due to advancements in liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, poses severe threats to marine biodiversity. This industry exacerbates global warming, harms marine ecosystems, introduces hazardous pollutants into aquatic environments, and jeopardizes the rights and livelihoods of coastal communities, including Indigenous Peoples. Marine biodiversity is indispensable for a balanced ecosystem, contributing to fishery support, climate regulation, cultural preservation, and water quality. Unfortunately, the various phases of offshore oil and gas activities — exploration, production, transportation, and decommissioning — are systematically degrading these essential ecosystems. Notably, seismic surveys conducted during exploration have been linked to the significant mortality of marine mammals and adverse outcomes for micro-organisms integral to marine food webs. Oil spills, while commonplace during drilling and transport, alongside the risk of catastrophic blowouts in deeper waters, underscore the industry’s extensive threats to marine life. Despite the critical ramifications of offshore oil and gas on biodiversity, discussions surrounding global biodiversity policy often overlook these activities. As governments at COP16 reassess their strategies to meet biodiversity targets, it becomes imperative that they address the repercussions of fossil fuel reliance, particularly offshore operations. The Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) outlines ambitious goals aiming to halt biodiversity loss; thus, without a clear focus on mitigating the impacts of offshore oil and gas, many of these goals will remain unattainable. Colombia’s prominent role at COP16 may facilitate meaningful discourse surrounding the phasing out of fossil fuels. Having already shown a commitment to transition away from fossil fuels through its endorsement of the FFNPT, Colombia can galvanize other nations to align biodiversity protection policies with climate ambitions. The outcomes of COP16 have the potential to usher in transformative changes, such as better integrating biodiversity considerations into oil and gas licensing and spatial planning. Particularly in high-biodiversity regions like the Caribbean, where oil and gas licensing persists despite commitments to sustainability, the focus must shift toward creating genuine marine protected areas. Furthermore, public engagement, particularly involving Indigenous communities, should be a cornerstone of decision-making processes concerning oil and gas developments. Governments also have an opportunity during COP16 to reinforce the connection between biodiversity and climate action as they discuss Agenda Item 25. However, without decisive measures to phase out oil and gas operations, discussions will inevitably fall short of effecting meaningful change. Reducing fossil fuel reliance will not only alleviate climate pressures on biodiversity but also help realize targets established under both the GBF and the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C. In conclusion, COP16 represents a critical juncture for the global community to tackle the fossil fuel industry’s threats to biodiversity. The necessity of aligning biodiversity efforts with climate action is paramount. To make genuine progress, nations must champion the reduction of oil and gas operations, particularly in offshore environments. As Colombia leads the way with its support for the FFNPT, it sends a vital message that a just and sustainable future is unattainable while perpetuating investments in fossil fuels. It is imperative for all attending governments to move beyond mere rhetoric, to take decisive actions that incorporate biodiversity considerations into climate policies, remove fossil fuel activities from protected marine areas, and update their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans to phase out fossil fuels altogether. The wellbeing of our oceans, ecosystems, and communities hinges on the actions taken at COP16. The time for ineffective measures has passed; immediate and robust action is required to pave the way for a fossil-free and biodiversity-rich future.

The article addresses the critical issues surrounding biodiversity loss and the environmental impacts of the oil and gas industry, particularly offshore oil and gas operations. As world leaders gather for COP16, there is a significant focus on how these discussions can bring meaningful changes to protect ecosystems in light of climate change and other pressures on biodiversity. The emphasis is on the role of Colombia, as host nation and supporter of the Fossil Fuels Non-Proliferation Treaty, to advocate for a comprehensive approach that includes phasing out fossil fuels to align biodiversity protections with global climate goals. The themes presented highlight the urgency for governments to address the risks posed by fossil fuel activities to marine ecosystems and the rights of impacted communities, especially when developing strategies to meet the Global Biodiversity Framework targets.

In summary, COP16 stands as a pivotal moment for world governments to confront the challenges posed by the fossil fuel industry, particularly in offshore contexts. The necessity for integrating biodiversity considerations into climate frameworks and policies is underscored by the ongoing degradation of marine ecosystems due to oil and gas activities. Colombia’s leadership is vital in steering discussions towards phasing out fossil fuel operations and prioritizing the protection of biodiversity. Effective outcomes from COP16 will require a collective commitment from all nations to take resolute actions to create a sustainable balance between energy needs and environmental protection, ensuring a prosperous future for both people and the planet.

Original Source: www.ciel.org