Reflections from Land Life at COP16

With COP16 in Cali wrapped up and COP29 in Baku kicking off, we’re diving into the key takeaways from COP16 that highlight what’s next for climate and nature action. Here are the major takeaways from Cali:

Nature Is Going Big

COP16 drew a much larger crowd than COP15, signaling that climate action is no longer just about reducing carbon—it’s about taking a more holistic view of our environment. From restoring soil health to protecting biodiversity, it’s clear that a healthy ecosystem supports everything we hope to achieve in climate action. This broader focus is a critical shift that reflects a growing recognition of nature as a foundation for sustainable progress.

Embracing “Good Enough” Analysis

The discussions at COP16 showed that leading companies are finding ways to balance analysis with action. Rather than waiting for perfect data or getting lost in layers of analysis—“death by Google Maps”— companies are choosing to move forward. This pragmatic approach allows them to make impactful changes now while continuously refining their strategies.

Collaboration is Key

One theme that resonated throughout COP16 is that no company can tackle nature impacts alone. For many businesses, the nature-related impacts are buried deep within supply chains, sometimes as far as 10 layers down. This reality calls for a collaborative approach, with peers, sectors, and even entire industries joining forces to engage suppliers in meaningful ways. Only together can we make the shifts needed to restore nature on a large scale.

Going Nature Positive

“Nature Positive” is more than a buzzword—it’s the path forward. Companies are realizing that taking action for nature, both within their direct value chains and beyond, is a powerful way to support biodiversity and ecosystem health. The COP16 discussions underscored that a thriving natural world benefits us all.

More Capital Investment

A major topic of discussion at COP16 was the need for increased capital, both public and private, to fund nature restoration. It was promising to see consensus on this issue.

Nature Tech on the Rise

Nature tech was on the rise at COP16, with the sector showcasing its potential to scale solutions, improve transparency, and drive investor confidence. With more data, more pilot projects, and real results on the table, nature-tech is proving that technology can accelerate our progress. At Bloom, Land Life was proud to contribute by sharing our experience in biodiversity baselining as part of our high-integrity reforestation efforts. Check out our presentation in the video at the end of this page.

New Standards and Frameworks Launched

COP16 saw the launch of new frameworks and standards by IAPB, GBS, and Verra, aiming to bring more rigor to biodiversity goals within climate-positive projects. Land Life was honored to be a pilot participant in Verra’s Nature Framework, helping to validate a new approach that reinforces biodiversity as essential to climate action. These standards set a solid foundation for impactful projects and are a major step forward in building trust and accountability within the sector.

Nature is People

The importance of Indigenous Peoples and local communities was front and center at COP16. These communities bring invaluable knowledge, perspectives, and connections to the land, and any conservation effort that ignores their voices is missing a vital component of sustainability.

A Warm Welcome from Cali—and a Call for Progress

Cali was a vibrant host and the warm hospitality energized those who attended. However, despite the enthusiasm and drive that filled the conference, the lack of tangible progress on nature financing was a disappointment. COP16 brought important discussions to the table, but the journey toward meaningful investment in nature is far from over.

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, the insights from COP16 serve as a powerful reminder that we’re on a collective journey. Building a sustainable future will require commitment, collaboration, and action at every level.