Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast

269. COP16: Making Peace with Nature?

Oct 31, 2024

Monica Medina, Arnhold Distinguished Fellow at Conservation International and former US Special Envoy for Biodiversity, joins a lively discussion about biodiversity at the COP negotiations in Colombia. She highlights the critical link between climate and biodiversity and shares her optimism about a new oceans fund. The conversation dives into the importance of indigenous participation and fair compensation for genetic resources, emphasizing the need for integrated approaches to environmental stewardship and financial support for local communities.

44:15

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Episode guests

Monica Medina

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Quick takeaways

The Biodiversity COP emphasizes the crucial role of indigenous communities in conservation, advocating for equitable financial support and greater participation in negotiations.

Over 3,000 businesses at the COP signify a shift towards emotional engagement with biodiversity, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable financial practices despite current challenges.

Deep dives

The Unique Vibe of Biodiversity COP

The Biodiversity COP in Cali, Colombia, presents a different atmosphere compared to climate-focused meetings. Attendees report a much smaller, more intimate setting where negotiations dominate the agenda, leading to a sense of humility and collaboration among participants. Unlike climate COPs filled with external activities and distractions, this event emphasizes genuine engagement with biodiversity issues, prompting a clear commitment to reversing biodiversity loss. The presence of diverse stakeholders, including indigenous communities, enhances this collaborative spirit, fostering a shared mission to protect nature.

Intro

2min

COP16: Collaborating for Biodiversity

24min

Progress and Challenges in Indigenous Representation at Climate COPs

3min

The Balancing Act of Nature Funding and Indigenous Stewardship

3min

Navigating Equity and Finance in Environmental Agreements

5min

Rethinking Subsidies for Nature Conservation

6min

This week, Christiana has a fascinating window into the Biodiversity COP negotiations underway in Colombia. From Cali, she’s joined by Freya Newman and Irene Suarez Perez from the Global Optimism team who give us the lowdown into what’s going on inside and outside the negotiating rooms. They tell what’s unique about Colombia hosting, how it’s given a platform to indigenous and local community voices; and why business is talking about love as well as finance.

Also joining Christiana from Cali is Monica Medina, a fellow with Conservation International and the US’ first Special Envoy for Biodiversity. They have an animated chat about the essential interdependence of climate and biodiversity, and Medina shares her optimism about a new oceans fund. And they take a deep (and refreshingly nerdy!) dive into DSI - digital sequencing information - and how we can ensure lucrative genetic codes, often found in the Global South, are fairly compensated and reimbursed.

NOTES AND RESOURCES

GUESTS

Monica Medina, Arnhold Distinguished Fellow at Conservation International, former Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, Environment and Science and the first US Special Envoy for Biodiversity and Water Resources

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Irene Suarez Perez, Senior Advisor - Nature & Food System Transformation - Groundswell at Global Optimism

Freya Newman, Advisor, Groundswell at Global Optimism

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