The global biodiversity framework : building scientific evidence to support the operationalization of the kunming-montreal global biodiversity framework

An average of 25 percent of species in assessed animal and plant groups are threatened. Around 1 million species will face extinction, many within decades, unless action is taken to reduce the intensity of drivers of biodiversity loss. Without such action, the global rate of species extinction will further accelerate, which is already tens to hundreds of times higher than it has averaged over the past 10 million years.

Biodiversity is fundamental to human well-being, a healthy planet, and economic prosperity for all people, including living well in balance and harmony with the planet. We depend on it for food, medicine, energy, clean air and water, security from natural disasters, recreation, and cultural inspiration, and it supports all systems of life on the planet. There is a growing demand for countries to foster an integrated approach to implementing the three Rio conventions on climate, biodiversity, and desertification.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)  was adopted by 196 countries at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in December 2022 and set out an ambitious roadmap for a world living in harmony with nature.

The framework includes four goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030.

The targets address:

1. reducing threats to biodiversity;
2. meeting people’s needs through sustainable use and benefit-sharing; and
3. tools and solutions for implementation and mainstreaming.

It contributes significantly to the three conventions.

Agrifood sectors – crop and livestock production, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture – are directly related to more than half the targets of the Kunming-Montreal GBF, and to all the other targets in one way or another. This ranges from the targets on ecosystem restoration, invasive alien species and pollution to those addressing genetic resources for food and agriculture, soil health and pollination.

The Kunming-Montreal GBF is a framework for all. Its success will require political commitment at the highest level of government, and action and cooperation at all levels of government and society. The framework is action and results-oriented. It guides and promotes revising, developing, updating, and implementing policies, goals, targets, and national biodiversity strategies and action plans.

In this webinar, we will explore the GBF with our diverse stakeholders and offer insight into the science-to-policy interface (state of the knowledge, knowledge gaps and options to overcome them, recommendations for application, and recommendations for research, among others).

We will hear from two experts in different sectors of biodiversity work who will share with us how we can support and work towards the Framework’s goals.

Matea Vulekic, Programme Officer, Policy, at the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), will share her expertise on identifying biodiversity indicators at the global and national levels and how this plays a role in GBF. She will help tell us about the country’s capacity needs for implementing GBF and updates of the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).

Alisher Mirzabaev, Senior Scientist at the International Rice Research Institute, will present his expertise on the economics of land degradation neutrality. He has been a lead author on IPCC reports and will zoom in to offer expertise on Targets 1-3.