By the time you get this issue of The Pollinator, COP16 in Cali, Colombia will have concluded. But what is ‘the other COP’ and why does it matter to us as Christians … and to everyone else?

Firstly, to clear up any confusion, COP is UN jargon and simply means ‘Conference of Parties’ so there are numerous different COPs, not just the better-known Climate ones. COP16 is the 16^th global gathering on biodiversity. Some foundational questions:

Why does biodiversity matter?The Nature Conservancy, with Prof Katharine Hayhoe as Chief Sicentist, states: “Biodiversity is the bedrock of life on Earth, underpinning our global economy, combating climate change, and sustaining the food systems that nourish the world. Yet, we are witnessing an unprecedented crisis: habitats are vanishing, and up to a million species face extinction, threatening the lives and livelihoods of the billions of people who depend on them.”

Why was COP16 so important?COP15 in 2022 saw the Kunming-Montreal Protocol at which governments committed to stopping biodiversity loss globally by 2030. This agreement is as important for biodiversity as the 2015 Paris Agreement was for climate. Yet, most of the detail was left to be sorted later, and by the start of COP16 only 23 out of 196 countries had submitted comprehensive plans. COP16’s theme was ‘Peace with Nature’ calling for a new relationship between humanity and the earth. A Rocha states: “This aligns with A Rocha’s vision of a world where nature flourishes as people live equitably and sustainably.”
Key issues include:

• Protecting 30% of the earth for nature by 2030
• Financing of nature conservation. Only 2 countries had met their targets prior to COP16.
• Putting indigenous communities at the heart of conservation. Indigenous people are 5% of the global population yet it’s calculated they protect 80% of biodiversity (FAO report).
• Reforming how business uses nature (tackling biopiracy and harmful subsidies, getting businesses to disclose their impact on nature).

What’s this got to do with Christian faith? A Rocha’s statement says: “For Christians, caring for the earth is rooted in God’s concern for life in all its variety. This theme is woven throughout the Bible, … and we are accountable for our use or abuse of the earth and its creatures”. COP16 has seen greater Christian engagement than previous biodiversity COPs and amongst LWCCN members, Juliana Morillo from Colombia has been part of the host team, Jocabed Solano represented the World Council of Churches, and A Rocha’s delegation has included Sarah French (A Rocha International), Seth Appiah-Kubi and Daryl Bosu (A Rocha Ghana), Avinash Krishnan (A Rocha India), María de los Ángeles La Torre Cuadros (A Rocha Peru) and Cyrie Sendashonga (Rwanda, consultant).

For more see A Rocha’s summary and Jocabed’s interview.

Please continue to pray with us that conversations at COP16 will turn into firm commitments from governments, businesses and that we will indeed see ‘Peace with Nature’, shalom in our common home.

The Forum aims to bring together people all over the globe to fellowship, learn, and imagine as we explore what creative visions are needed to generate faithful gospel witness in our world today.

INFEMIT is also looking for sponsors and donors who can aid in allowing greater accessibility for this forum across the globe! If you or your organisation would be interested, or are able to recommend someone who would be, INFEMIT would be glad to hear from you! Should you be keen to find out more, please give this a read.

Join us in prayer for and participation at this Forum, and do check out their website for further details!

The United Nation’s version of Earth Day, World Environment Day will be observed in many of our countries around the world on Friday, June 5. It is being officially hosted by Colombia and Germany with a theme of biodiversity. We hope you will take part wherever you are.

The World Environment Day webpage is here.

There will probably be a number of webinars and other online events marking the day. One that we are aware of is Connexions: Sustainable Food, Ecosystems and Biodiversity sponsored by the UNESCO Chair on Food, Biodiversity and Sustainability Studies.

In this webinar we’ll explore why biodiversity and ecosystems management are important components for building sustainable food systems. You’ll hear from researchers working directly with communities engaged in food production practices that are centred on biodiverse ecosystems. Drawing on community-based research in Brazil, Ecuador, and the Northwest Territories, you’ll learn about the unique challenges facing food systems actors and how communities are using agroforestry and other ecological food production principles to guide their work. 

Register for the webinar here.

If you want resources for your church, check out EFICOR’s Eco-Sunday materials here.