The Global Commons Alliance, partners and our core components – Accountability Accelerator, Earth Commission, Earth HQ, Science Based Targets Network and Systems Change Lab – were in Cali, Colombia, for the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) from October 21 to November 1. Find all events we hosted or took part in below.
As the impacts of biodiversity loss and climate change accelerate around us, citizens, cities and companies are realizing that we must take action together. Guidance for how to do this was published last month, in the Earth Commission’s new flagship paper on the Safe and Just Earth System Boundaries. The paper details where on the planet these boundaries are breached, and shows how this overlaps with the vulnerability of people exposed to harm. Among the key recommendations is legislation to safeguard the global commons.
There is already widespread public support for such nature and climate action, according to a recent IPSOS Mori survey that we released last month with Earth for All. People everywhere know there’s an urgent need to collaboratively safeguard our global commons for current and future generations – and that the time for bold, systemic action is now.
The events we hosted and attended at COP16 (below) are designed to contribute to the collective system shift we urgently need to accelerate systems change and safeguard the global commons.
➜ Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.
➜ View event photos in our Flickr gallery
➜ Read COP16 event summaries on our Linkedin
Photo gallery
You can view more event photos in our Flickr gallery.
past events
Tuesday 22 October
Technology and Corporate Nature Action: Strengthening Accountability in the Global South
🕒 12-1pm COT
📍Nature Positive Pavilion (Blue Zone)
This session will showcase how groundbreaking accountability tools and technologies are driving corporate nature and climate action in Africa, Indonesia, and Latin America. Learn how local organizations are using innovative platforms to ensure corporate and governmental transparency and responsibility.
Wednesday 23 October
From Science to Action: For a Just World on a Safe Planet
🕒 9-9.45am COT
📍Green Zone*, Sala 4, Banco Occidente, Cra. 4 #7 – 61, San Pedro
Come and Join us at COP 16 in Cali, Colombia, to discuss how to work with the Global Commons Alliance Earth Commissions latest research on the Safe and Just Earth System Boundaries in Latin America and beyond.
*To register for Green Zone events, you must visit proco16.com and click on the date October 23: “De la ciencia a la acción: límites seguros y justos – un marco para las personas y el planeta” to complete the registration form. Once you complete the registration, you will receive a QR code via email that confirms your attendance. You will be required to show this QR code along with ID to access the event. If you have any questions, please contact alejandra@globalcommons.org.
Enhancing Subnational Contributions to the Global Biodiversity Framework: Needs for metrics, methodologies and practical frameworks to achieve whole-of-government implementation of the GBF
🕒 1.20-2.50pm COT
📍Blue Zone, Cocuy – Marie Khan Women’s Caucus meeting room Plaza One
Co-hosted by IUCN and ICLEI, and supported by UNEP-WCMC, the SBTN, and Regions4, this side event will give a prominent role to subnational governments, who will have the opportunity to discuss current needs and challenges in measuring and reporting on biodiversity in the framework of the GBF. The points expressed by subnational government representatives will be addressed through the presentation of practical frameworks developed by international organizations and practitioners. The side event will include statements of support and ambition from high level representatives of different municipalities involved in international initiatives such as CitiesWithNature, the Cities Biodiversity Index, and the Berlin Urban Nature Pact.
Thursday 24 October
Find your match to drive collective action for a safe and just planet
🕒 10.30-11.30am COT
📍Nature Positive Pavilion, Blue Zone
Global Commons Alliance invites you to discuss in small groups how your actions can feed into the transition pathways for bringing us back in the earth system boundaries of a safe and just planet.
Friday 25 October
Perennial Land Exhibition
🕒 9am-5pm COT
📍Nature Positive Pavilion, Blue Zone
GCA Accountability Accelerator is showcasing a grantee’s exhibit, Perennial Land: The Data Forest, an immersive installation by artists Isabel Duverger and Laia Cabrera. This video installation surrounds the audience with images of Earth’s forests, climate data, and scenes reflecting human impact on the planet. By blending art, nature, and technology, the project aims to raise awareness and inspire action to combat nature loss.
From Science to Action: For a Just World on a Safe Planet
🕒 1pm COT
📍Pabellón Colombia, Blue Zone
Come and Join us at COP 16 in Cali, Colombia, to discuss how the Global Commons Alliance Earth Commissions latest research on the Safe and Just Earth System Boundaries can be integrated into policy for implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework.
Saturday 26 October
Community Building Workshop: Enhancing our collective impact
📍Marriott Hotel, Room Cartago 4 – Second Floor | Avenida 8 Norte, No 10 – 18
This workshop will focus on collaboration and learning, exploring how stakeholders can support corporate accountability in meeting GBF targets. IPLC will play a key role in this “People’s COP” event.
- Invite only
Partners Reception
🕒 7-9pm COT
📍La Bohéme
Join us for an informal reception, with drinks and canapés, to find out more about the partnerships and collaborative opportunities underway within the GCA, including the launch of our new 2030 strategy. Bring one new potential partner or colleague interested in accelerating systems change and becoming a guardian of the global commons.
- Invite only
Sunday October 27
Setting Science-Based Targets for Nature Positive Cities
🕒 9-10am
📍 Subnational & Local Authorities Hub – Place Quebec
The event focuses on exploring how cities can translate global biodiversity goals into actionable local targets to ensure cities contribute effectively to biodiversity conservation and restoration.
Consortium Speakers: Sophie Hendriks, Mika Tan, Tenesha Caton.
Wednesday 30 October
A Safe & Just Energy Transition: Securing Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Protecting Nature in the Sourcing of Transition Minerals
🕒 10.30am-11.30am COT
📍Nature Positive Pavilion, Blue Zone
Join us for a crucial discussion on how protecting Indigenous Peoples’ rights is essential to halting biodiversity loss and addressing the unintended impacts of transition mineral extraction. This event will explore solutions for ensuring Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), sharing best practices from case studies in Chile, Indonesia, and Brazil.
Action Unlocked: Driving Corporate Change with Validated Science-Based Targets for Nature
🕒 12pm-1pm COT
📍Nature Positive Pavilion, Blue Zone, Big Room
At COP16’s Nature Positive Pavilion, hosted by the Nature Positive Initiative, the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) will present key corporate insights and the latest results from its year-long target validation pilot. The Global Commons Alliance’s Accountability Accelerator, as the new host of target validation, will unveil its plans for upcoming target validation services.
During this session, SBTN and its pilot companies will share critical insights and outline next steps. The Accountability Accelerator will introduce its collaboration with Deloitte to launch a new Validation Platform, designed to ensure a secure, rigorous submission and validation process. The Accelerator will also discuss its commitment to best practices in governance and assurance, in line with ISEAL standards. Speakers will include representatives from SBTN corporate pilot participants, WWF and the Accelerator’s validation consultants.
From Global Goals to Local Action – Setting Science-Based Targets for Nature Positive Cities
🕒 2pm-3pm COT
📍Nature Positive Pavilion, Blue Zone, Big Room
Science Based Targets Network – SBTN presents a developing an overarching guideline for cities to set science-based targets for nature: providing global alignment on target setting methodologies and metrics that allow cities to assess their own impact areas and set feasible yet meaningful targets to set cities up for a nature positive future.
