Fungi have been overlooked in global conservation agendas. COP16 is our chance to change this trajectory.

Fungal communities are crucial for biodiversity, plant health, and carbon storage.

Underground ecosystems — and the fungi they contain — have been overlooked in climate solutions, biodiversity assessments, and conservation targets for too long. Fungal communities play a key role in regulating biodiversity, climate, and global nutrient cycles. Mycorrhizal fungi move carbon and nutrients across ecosystems, drawing down over 13 billion tons of CO2 per year. Yet, an overwhelming majority of mycorrhizal biodiversity hotspots and the vast carbon sinks they safeguard remain unprotected. 

We urgently need partners in policy to address this.

SPUN is advocating for the inclusion of fungi in conservation agendas.

Colombia is hosting the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali. SPUN will be present, advocating for the inclusion of mycorrhizal fungi in regional, national and global actions for conservation. From Oct 27-29, at the 2024 Biodiversity Technology and Innovation Expo, we will also be showcasing some of our emerging machine-learning technology and demonstrating tools that leverage fungi to preserve biodiversity and mitigate climate change during.

Colombia is classified as one of the world's megadiverse countries, and hosts nearly 10% of the planet's biodiversity. Mycorrhizal fungi underlie this incredible diversity, helping to generate and maintain the life we see aboveground.

Scientific expertise for GBF implementation.

We believe that by clearly communicating the right data with the right partners, we can radically improve environmental protections. To this end, we’re working to supply scientific and technical expertise to foster implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). 

Included in the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), or The Biodiversity Plan, is an ambitious global target commonly referred to as 30x30 — a mission to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030. In order to achieve this initiative, it’s imperative that belowground fungi are incorporated into country level targets, and that areas of high fungal biodiversity become priorities in the 30x30 scheme. Strategies to halt or reverse biodiversity loss need to consider the entire living world beneath our feet.

Conservation efforts need to include fungi and underground ecosystems.

Mycorrhizal fungi are keystone organisms in underground ecosystems. They are a group of network-forming soil fungi that develop symbiotic associations with over 80% of plants. Plants depend on mycorrhizal fungi for nutrients and water, a relationship which has shaped life on Earth. Until now, conservation efforts have concentrated almost exclusively on aboveground biodiversity protections. This has been a mistake.

We’re working to correct this oversight. 

Climate policies, environmental laws, and restoration practices have been built on an incomplete understanding of the natural world — one that has neglected fungi. But fungi are our allies in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. We need to develop frameworks that protect these living communities. The potential is enormous. We hope our attendance at COP16 will help unlock solutions, as we need to work together to preserve our collective future.