For the first time, MIT took part in a structured engagement at the global Conference of the Parties for the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16), which took place from October 21 to November 1 in Cali, Colombia. The delegation consisted of 10 representatives, including faculty, researchers, and students from various MIT entities: the Environmental Solutions Initiative (ESI), the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), the Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP), the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS), and the Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy.
In previous years, MIT faculty had sporadically joined discussions around biodiversity. However, this organized engagement, spearheaded by the ESI, was notable for uniting representatives from multiple groups working on biodiversity issues within the Institute. It showcased MIT’s extensive research efforts through over 15 events, such as panels, roundtables, and keynote talks within the conference’s Blue Zone—where formal negotiations occurred—and Green Zone, which focused on public events. The initiative also created experiential learning opportunities for students, who monitored discussions on particular negotiation topics and related side events.
The conference attracted participants from various sectors, including governments, non-governmental organizations, businesses, other academic institutions, and environmental practitioners, all focused on halting global biodiversity loss and advancing the 23 targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). This international agreement, adopted in 2022, aims to steer global actions for biodiversity protection and restoration through 2030.
MIT’s contributions were particularly impactful regarding goals that involved building coalitions of sub-national governments, utilizing technology and AI for biodiversity conservation, creating equitable markets, and informing action plans for Afro-descendant communities.
The ESI’s Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) program facilitated efforts for two coalitions among Latin American cities: the Coalition of Cities Against Illicit Economies in the Biogeographic Chocó Region and the Colombian Amazonian Cities coalition. Both successfully established declarations to meet specific KMGBF targets (11, 12, and 14) through engaging roundtable discussions. The interdisciplinary MIT team presented a range of actions, including transnational strategies and community-based initiatives aimed at enhancing conservation efforts in the Biogeographic Chocó as an ecological corridor.
Marcela Angel, research program director at the ESI, underscored the importance of fostering collaborations between academia and local governments in biodiversity-rich areas. “Given the unique conditions of Amazonian cities, pilot research projects have the potential to be transformative,” she noted. “They can provide essential insights necessary for scaling up climate adaptation and conservation initiatives in these sensitive social and ecological contexts.”
Furthermore, the ESI played a role in establishing the Fund for the Biogeographic Chocó Region, a multi-donor initiative initiated at COP16 with participation from Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Costa Rica. This fund is aimed at supporting various efforts including biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.
In the context of technology and AI in biodiversity conservation, MIT researchers are increasingly focusing on how data and innovative technologies can enhance our understanding of biodiversity and ecosystem changes. Professor Sara Beery and her research group are pioneering AI methods capable of facilitating species and environmental monitoring at unprecedented scales.
At the International Union of Biological Diversity Science-Policy Forum during COP16, Beery was part of a panel that discussed dealing with biodiversity challenges through tech advancements. The panel emphasized the need for human-AI partnerships and policies that promote equitable access to these technologies. This emphasis on AI was prominently included in a joint statement given by Hernando Garcia and David Skorton during high-level discussions at the conference, underscoring the critical urgency for action within equity, governance, and policy frameworks related to biodiversity and AI.
Moreover, a side event organized by the ESI, in collaboration with the CAF-Development Bank of Latin America, showcased findings from a study addressing the role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) in carbon forestry initiatives in Colombia. Given the ongoing credibility crisis in the global carbon market, findings from the research highlighted barriers to IPLC participation, advocating for frameworks to ensure their meaningful inclusion and equitable benefits from carbon market initiatives.
The Afro-Interamerican Forum on Climate Change (AIFCC), which emphasizes the role of Afro-descendant communities in climate action, was also present at COP16. During the Afro Summit, Mayolo conveyed key recommendations aimed at supporting Afro-descendant land rights, promoting biodiversity conservation, and encouraging financial tools for conservation efforts, underlining the importance of increased representation for these communities in international policy discussions.
Reflecting on MIT’s collective presence at the conference, ESI Director John E. Fernández stated, “This was an honor and privilege. MIT is positioned to tackle the intertwined challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. Our initiative is dedicated to fostering impactful contributions from across the Institute as we address these critical global concerns.”
For further details, a comprehensive overview of COP16 is available from the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative’s Primer on the conference.
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