06/11/2024
– It was a pleasure, a privilege and a great enrichment to participate in this extraordinary, energy-filled event in , . One thing is more evident than ever: there is no without collaboration! Even if this change is happening far too slowly, it is wonderful to see that an impressive amount of people representing numerous stakeholders is working hard to halt and reverse the loss of .
At COP16 it also became clear one more time that it takes too long to unlock and that we need more sense of . This means that we also must work together with those who are seen by many as part of the problem. Actually, here we have to be honest with ourselves: for example, anyone who uses a cell phone is to some extent also part of the problem (Side note: The Fairphone is undoubtedly the best alternative in this respect.). Simply put, as long as we use products with substances from mines, we cannot say that we do not want mines, as harmful as they are in most cases. Either we do without (difficult...) or we make sure that mine operators and governments minimize the damage as much as possible, avoid operating in the most sensitive regions, offset unavoidable damage and respect the rights of indigenous communities and the local population at any time. This is just one example of many underlining that we need to look for solutions that are realistic and have the necessary leverage. Without doubt a huge challenge!
Conferences like are crucial for governments, multinationals, startups, NGOs, science and research as well as communities to exchange ideas, to work together in finding solutions and to set clear targets. In the constant hope of making big steps, we must not despair when the steps are sometimes only small. But time is running out. If we stick to these small steps, we will be overwhelmed by the consequences.
I would like to share a few inspiring statements from COP16:
💡 “We should not always focus on minimizing risk but focus on doing good.” (Thorsten Arndt, PEFC International)
💡 “Economists are not shy in talking about ecology, it's time that ecologists start to talk more about economics and the economic aspects of an ecological transformation.” (Tony Juniper CBE, Natural England)
💡 “With tourism, we touch the soul of humanity.“ (Josefina Klinger, Mano Cambiada Foundation)
💡 “Dependency on nature and nature systems is ever increasing, despite our technological time.” (Akanksha Khatri, World Economic Forum)
💡 “We must make sure that communities get meaningful work to protect nature that is being compensated.” (Edwards Lezama, Leader Colombia)
To close, Tony Juniper CBE also mentioned the importance of shifting companies to purpose, not only profits. Exactly what Arbofino has been doing since the very beginning! Let us keep up the momentum of CBD COP16 in creating even more positive together.
