The upcoming months will be crucial as the United Nations hosts a series of key conferences to address pressing environmental challenges:
- Biodiversity: COP16 on biodiversity will be held in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1. This summit will review global progress on biodiversity protection since the historic 2022 agreement to protect 30% of the planet by 2030. Countries will present strategies, with Colombia expected to showcase leadership as a nation rich in biodiversity.
- Climate: COP29 on climate change will be hosted in Azerbaijan from November 11 to 22. Following last year’s commitment to move away from fossil fuels, the focus will shift to securing climate finance to support developing countries. The outcome of this summit could be influenced by the U.S. election just days before it begins.
- Desertification: COP16 in Saudi Arabia (December 2 to 13) will focus on reversing land degradation, restoring 1.5 billion hectares by 2030, and managing droughts.
- Plastic Pollution: A final session in South Korea starting on November 25 aims to finalize a world-first treaty on plastic pollution, with debates centering on reducing plastic production versus enhancing recycling efforts.
These summits will tackle some of the most critical environmental issues today, including biodiversity loss, climate finance, desertification, and plastic pollution.
