Colombia vows to put nature at the heart of global environmental negotiations

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Guardian or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Colombia, under the leadership of Environment Minister Susana Muhamad, is set to prioritize nature conservation in global environmental discussions, particularly in the upcoming Cop16 summit
• This initiative aims to integrate biodiversity concerns more thoroughly into the international climate agenda, building momentum towards the climate Cop30 in Brazil

🔭 The context: The Cop16 summit, hosted by Colombia in Cali, follows a historic biodiversity agreement reached in Montreal, Canada, at Cop15
• This previous summit resulted in significant commitments to halt biodiversity loss, including protecting and restoring 30% of the planet's land and sea
• Colombia's approach seeks to strengthen these commitments and spotlight the critical role of biodiversity in addressing the climate crisis

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Colombia's focus on nature at the heart of environmental negotiations highlights the intrinsic link between biodiversity and climate change
• By advocating for the protection of biodiversity as a cornerstone of climate action, Colombia aims to promote a unified approach to environmental preservation, emphasizing practical actions like the creation of multinational marine protected areas and the conservation of the Amazon

⏭️ What's next: The Cop16 summit will be a pivotal moment for countries to present national plans to meet biodiversity targets
• Colombia intends to use this opportunity to advocate for enhanced recognition and financial support for megadiverse countries, crucial for global biodiversity conservation efforts

💬 One quote: "Although the climate is affecting biodiversity, nature is an answer to the climate crisis. It is not the only answer but it is a very important pillar," (Susana Muhamad, Colombia's Environment Minister)

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