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MIT’s Engagement at COP16: A Comprehensive Approach to Biodiversity

For the first time, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) made a unified effort to engage with the global Conference of the Parties for the Convention on Biological Diversity, held from October 21 to November 1 in Cali, Colombia. This significant participation included a delegation of ten individuals comprising faculty, researchers, and students affiliated with various MIT divisions, including the Environmental Solutions Initiative (ESI), the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), and the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), among others.

Previously, participation by MIT faculty had been intermittent. However, this year’s organized delegation, spearheaded by the ESI, was notable for its collective representation from multiple groups across the Institute. MIT showcased its diverse research portfolio through over 15 different events like panels, roundtables, and keynote presentations across both the Blue Zone, which hosts official negotiations, and the Green Zone, dedicated to public events. Additionally, students were provided valuable experiential learning opportunities by engaging with specific topics relevant to the negotiations.

The conference attracted a wide array of stakeholders, including representatives from various governments, non-governmental organizations, businesses, academic institutions, and practitioners, all focused on combating global biodiversity loss. A critical agenda item was the advancement of the 23 goals outlined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), an international agreement finalized in 2022 aimed at guiding global biodiversity protection efforts until 2030.

MIT’s delegation particularly contributed to discussions addressing coalition-building among sub-national governments (related to targets 11, 12, 14), leveraging technology and AI for biodiversity conservation (targets 20 and 21), promoting equitable markets (targets 3, 11, and 19), and developing actionable strategies for Afro-descendant communities (targets 3, 10, and 22).

Coalition Building Among Sub-National Governments

The ESI’s Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) Program facilitated the forging of two coalitions of Latin American cities, specifically the Coalition of Cities Against Illicit Economies in the Biogeographic Chocó Region and the Colombian Amazonian Cities coalition. These coalitions successfully signed declarations to push forward specific KMGBF targets, demonstrating a collaborative effort in addressing biodiversity challenges.

Through a series of discussions and roundtables, key MIT team members, including Marcela Angel and Angelica Mayolo, shared a framework of multi-scale actions comprising transnational strategies and recommendations aimed at strengthening local institutions as well as community-based efforts to conserve the Biogeographic Chocó region as an ecological corridor.

Marcela Angel emphasized the critical need to enhance collaborations between academia and local governing bodies in biodiversity hotspots. She pointed out that pilot research projects in Amazonian cities could generate essential data for scaling climate adaptation and conservation strategies in ecologically sensitive areas.

Moreover, MIT’s research contributed to the establishment of the Fund for the Biogeographic Chocó Region, inaugurated during COP16 by a coalition of Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Costa Rica. This fund is designed to support various initiatives related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development throughout the region.

Harnessing Technology and AI for Biodiversity Conservation

The role of data, technology, and AI in understanding global biodiversity changes continues to expand. Professor Sara Beery’s research team at MIT is at the forefront of this effort, developing innovative AI methodologies that enhance species and environmental monitoring across diverse scales.

At the International Union of Biological Diversity Science-Policy Forum, Beery highlighted the importance of technological advancements for meeting biodiversity targets during a panel session. The discussions underscored the necessity for human-AI partnerships, the cultivation of AI capabilities, and the establishment of policies that ensure equitable access to these advancements.

In a historic move, AI considerations were integrated into a formal statement delivered by prominent figures in the scientific community during COP16, indicating the growing recognition of AI’s significance in biodiversity initiatives.

Promoting Equitable Carbon Markets

During a side event co-hosted by ESI and CAF-Development Bank of Latin America, researchers from the NCS Program presented findings from a study titled “Voluntary Carbon Markets for Social Impact: Comprehensive Assessment of the Role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) in Carbon Forestry Projects in Colombia.” The study addressed systemic barriers that obstruct IPLC participation and proposed frameworks to enhance their involvement in voluntary carbon markets.

Amplifying these insights is crucial as global carbon markets face significant scrutiny regarding their efficacy and credibility. Recent assessments have triggered questions about mitigation results and highlighted persistent issues regarding private sector engagement with local communities. There is an urgent demand for inclusive practices that guarantee equitable benefits for IPLC while fostering transparency in carbon certificate markets.

Strategies for Afro-Descendant Communities

The Afro-Interamerican Forum on Climate Change (AIFCC), an international network advocating for the role of Afro-descendant communities in climate efforts, was also represented at COP16. At the Afro Summit, Mayolo presented collective recommendations to the Convention on Biological Diversity’s technical secretariat, emphasizing the need for financial tools to support Afro-descendant land rights and conservation efforts. The recommendations called for enhanced representation of these communities in policy-making and strategies for sustainable development.

“Attending COP16 with a large group from MIT contributing knowledge and informed perspectives at 15 separate events was a privilege and honor,” noted John E. Fernández, Director of the ESI. “This highlights the ESI’s role as a vital research and convening entity, capable of addressing the major challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss. Together, we are committed to leveraging our expertise for impactful contributions in the years ahead.”

For more detailed insights into the conference proceedings, you can access The MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative’s Primer of COP16.

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