Decisive action on tackling biodiversity loss ‘has never been more urgent’, the Bezos Earth Fund has commented.
Dr. Cristián Samper, managing director and leader for nature solutions at the Bezos Earth Fund, was commenting following the start of the COP 16 meeting in Colombia.
Slow progress
As he explained, global efforts to address biodiversity loss are facing a critical moment, with slow progress in updating national biodiversity strategies jeopardising the goal to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030.
“The future of life on Earth depends on how we tackle the interconnected crises of climate change and nature loss,” Samper commented. ” Two years after adopting the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, more than 160 countries still lack updated national biodiversity strategies.
“This inaction threatens not only ecosystems but human well-being and economic growth. COP16 must be a turning point, where promises become action, ambition is raised, and trust is restored.”
‘Turning point’
Samper calls on COP 16 to be a turning point, where countries move from ambition to concrete action.
“Ambition alone is not enough; countries must ensure their targets are bold and matched by financing to turn plans into action,” he noted. “We call on countries to submit ambitious National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) that align with the 30×30 target, backed by financing and clear milestones.
“Without swift action, the cost of inaction will be profound – compounding food insecurity, increasing natural disasters, and accelerating the climate crisis.
Engagement with communities
The Bezos Earth Fund has also urged governments to engage indigenous peoples and local communities as essential partners in conservation and to integrate biodiversity goals across all sectors of society. These actions, Samper added, must be supported by transparent monitoring frameworks to ensure accountability.
“The next five years will determine whether we halt and reverse nature loss by 2030,” he said. “Success will require not just ambition but transparency, with robust monitoring frameworks to hold all parties accountable. […] The world is watching – and nature cannot wait.” Read more here.
