Although an agreement on a new Cali fund to share revenues from “digital sequence information” or genetic data from nature with indigenous communities is a step forward, it is worrying that broader negotiations on the funding for nature have been suspended. Without a solid financial strategy, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework agreed at Cop15 faces an uncertain future, as developed countries have fallen behind on their commitment to contribute $20 billion a year to help developing countries in their efforts to promote biodiversity by 2025.

Cop16 made progress in two other areas. As part of a move towards a whole-of-society approach, an “Integration Champions Group” of nations was formed to mainstream biodiversity across sectors, while a permanent body was created to enable indigenous communities to consult on United Nations decisions on biodiversity.

There are important lessons here for Hong Kong. The Government is updating the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) and has a key responsibility to align and contribute to the global target, prioritizing biodiversity in all decision-making processes and promoting it throughout society.

The revised BSAP must go beyond a symbolic commitment to biodiversity. Conservation should not be seen simply as an environmental issue; it is a vital issue that directly influences the well-being, health and quality of life of Hong Kongers.