OPINION: Dr. Federica Di Palma, Chief Scientific Officer and Vice President, Research and Innovation
This week, the globe is gathering for COP16 in Colombia, poised to build upon the Kunming-Montreal Framework, a landmark agreement struck in Canada in 2022 that aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.
Yet, amidst this global push for conservation, we must answer a critical question: who should benefit from the vast trove of genetic data being collected from the Earth’s plants, animals and microorganisms?
This data holds vital insights into the DNA of living organisms, which scientists can use to better understand species, protect ecosystems and develop new products, including medicines and crops.
Wealthy nations often reap the rewards of new discoveries, while biodiversity-rich countries like Colombia – and Indigenous communities whose ancestral lands are frequently the repositories of this immense biodiverse value – struggle to access and capitalize on their own genetic resources. This inequality raises important questions about justice, sovereignty and the future of conservation.
A Critical Question: Who Benefits From This Genetic Treasure?
Countries like Colombia contain some of the richest biodiversity on the planet and provide much of the genetic information that researchers study. Yet these countries often face challenges, such as limited access to scientific infrastructure and funding, which makes it difficult for them to fully capitalize on this data. This results in the economic benefits—driven by the development of commercial products—often flowing disproportionately to wealthier nations that have the resources to analyze and exploit this data.
This inequity highlights the need for a fairer system of benefit-sharing, one that recognizes the global importance of biodiversity while ensuring that the countries and communities where the information comes from see tangible, direct benefits.
Divvying up the proceeds of new discoveries and related development with countries that provide biodiversity data is not only the right thing to do – it’s also a potent incentive for environmental protection.
Clear national biodiversity plans are required to balance ecological protection with economic development, ensuring that all parties involved—not just wealthier countries—reap the rewards.
Integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Sharing Benefits in Canada
The critical question of who benefits from genetic data isn’t just a concern for developing nations. It’s a question that Canada must also consider.
In Canada, much of the biodiversity genetic data we are sourcing for scientific breakthroughs comes from the traditional ancestral lands of Indigenous peoples who have been stewards of these lands for generations.
Both Colombia and Canada face similar challenges when it comes to integrating Indigenous knowledge into biodiversity conservation efforts. In both countries, Indigenous Peoples have long used traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and sustainable practices to manage ecosystems. However, despite this rich heritage, much more work must be done to embed Indigenous perspectives into national biodiversity strategies and mainstream conservation efforts.
In this regard, Canada can learn from countries like Colombia.
While Colombia is still developing many of its strategies, it is innovatively integrating Indigenous communities into conservation efforts.
For example, Colombia involves Indigenous communities in managing protected areas, blending traditional knowledge with modern conservation techniques. These initiatives show promise in enhancing conservation while also creating economic opportunities through sustainable practices such as eco-tourism and the development of non-timber forest products.
These are powerful and transferable examples for Canada, especially in biodiversity-critical regions like the boreal forest and the Arctic. Strengthening partnerships with Indigenous communities and embedding their traditional knowledge into national biodiversity strategies can help Canada improve its conservation outcomes, while also supporting the rights and livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples.
Financing Biodiversity
Another critical topic at COP16 is financing biodiversity conservation.
Global efforts to halt biodiversity loss have long been underfunded. In the Kunming-Montreal Framework, countries agreed to mobilize at least USD $200 billion per year by 2030 to close the biodiversity financing gap, which currently stands at an estimated $700 billion annually. This is a daunting commitment for countries facing a myriad of development challenges.
For Colombia, the challenge is significant. Colombia is endowed with more than 80,000 recorded species and vast ecosystems ranging from tropical forests to unique wetlands; Yet the country has lost over three million hectares of forest in the past two decades. Reversing this trend will require substantial investment in conservation and the sustainable use of its ecosystems.
This is why we need to carefully consider how the dividends of genetic data are distributed. Sharing the proceeds of new discoveries can help high-biodiversity countries simultaneously secure their environments and their financial futures.
Financing solutions must go beyond government and philanthropic funding. The private sector has a crucial role to play in biodiversity conservation, not only as a source of investment but also as a partner in creating sustainable, long-term solutions. Engaging companies through biodiversity credits, sustainable supply chains and blended finance models will be essential to mobilizing the resources needed to meet the ambitious goals of the Kunming-Montreal Framework.
Building Up Our Bioeconomy
Colombia’s approach to biodiversity conservation is embedded in its growing bioeconomy. The country’s national bioeconomy strategy aims to generate USD $600 million by 2030 through businesses that focus on the sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Innovative financial solutions such as habitat banks and biodiversity credits are also emerging, allowing the private sector to engage in conservation while creating economic benefits for local communities.
Although Canada is better resourced, we face similar challenges when it comes to ensuring that financial mechanisms effectively support Indigenous-led and community-driven conservation initiatives. British Columbia, with its vast forests and rich biodiversity, has the potential to become a bioeconomy leader, leveraging its natural resources to create sustainable products and services.
However, the bioproducts sector within BC’s bioeconomy remains limited and fragmented due to a lack of coordinated policies and financial support. Unlike Colombia, which has developed a national bioeconomy strategy focusing on biodiversity-based innovation and economic opportunity, BC has yet to unify these efforts into a cohesive, large-scale strategy.
Learning from Colombia’s approach could help BC realize its bioeconomy potential.
The Rising Tide of Global Genetic Data
COP16 presents a critical moment for the global community to rethink how we approach biodiversity conservation. It is critical to ensure that the benefits of biodiversity—and the digital genetic data it generates—are shared equitably and that Indigenous leadership is integrated into conservation planning. This will ensure that ecosystems continue to thrive and that the communities who have long been their stewards are recognized and supported in the process.
The tide of global genetic data is rising – and it is our responsibility to ensure that it lifts all boats.
