Youth4Nature: Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

The Global Biodiversity Framework: A Youth4Nature Perspective

Context behind COP15 and the KM GBF

• The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD) was adopted in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit
• The UN CBD has been ratified by 196 nations and aims to conserve biological diversity, sustainably use its components, and fairly share the benefits of genetic resources
• Between 2011 and 2020, the UN CBD focused on the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity through the Aichi Biodiversity Targets
• The 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) was scheduled to take place in 2020 in Kunming, China, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

• The KM GBF was adopted in December 2022 by all 196 Parties to the UN CBD
• The framework aims to guide biodiversity policies through 4 overarching goals to be achieved by 2050 and 23 targets to be reached by 2030
• The vision is to live in harmony with nature by 2050
• The framework is broken down into four main puzzle pieces: access and benefit sharing, biodiversity conservation and restoration, nature's contribution to people, and tools and solutions for mainstreaming

The Four Overarching Goals of the KM GBF

• Goal A: Biodiversity conservation and restoration - preserve and restore natural ecosystems to ensure their continued existence
• Goal B: Nature's contribution to people - sustainably use and manage natural resources, considering their value and contributions to daily life
• Goal C: Access and Benefit Sharing - ensure fair and equitable sharing of genetic resources, recognizing the rights of traditional knowledge holders
• Goal D: Tools and Solutions - establish strong financial, technical, and scientific systems to enable the global community to deliver the KM GBF

Targets of the KM GBF

• Target 3: Reduce threats to biodiversity - ensure that at least 30% of terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine areas are effectively conserved and managed by 2030
• This target focuses on area-based conservation measures, recognizing indigenous and traditional territories, and integrated into wider landscapes, seascapes, and the ocean### Target 8: Climate Change
• Minimize the impact of climate change and ocean acidification on biodiversity and increase its resilience through mitigation, adaptation, and disaster risk reduction actions.
• Nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches are essential to achieve this target.
• The target is an opportunity to discuss the climate-nature nexus and bridge UNFCCC and CBD commitments.

Biodiversity Conservation

• At least 30% of the target level is well-supported by the scientific community as a lower limit for biodiversity conservation.
• Conservation efforts require prioritization over other land-uses and collaboration with Indigenous land management practices and other human rights-based approaches.
• One million species of an estimated 8 million animal and plant species are already threatened with extinction.

Target 14: Tools and Solutions

• This target outlines an approach that embeds biodiversity into the work of all sectors, including policy, finance, and accountability and monitoring.
• Countries are encouraged to leverage nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches to achieve this target.

Target 16: Sustainability

• Ensure people are encouraged and enabled to make sustainable consumption choices through supportive policy, legislative, or regulatory frameworks.
• Reduce the global footprint of consumption in an equitable manner, including through halving global food waste, and substantially reducing overconsumption and waste generation.

Target 21: Accessibility

• Ensure the best available data, information, and knowledge are accessible to decision-makers, practitioners, and the public to guide effective and equitable governance.
• The target values traditional knowledge held by Indigenous peoples and local communities, with the requirement of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) for its use.

Target 22: Inclusiveness and Intergenerational Equity

• Ensure the full, equitable, inclusive, and effective representation and participation in decision-making, and access to justice and information related to biodiversity.
• The target requires the participation of indigenous peoples, local communities, women, children, youth, and persons with disabilities, and ensures the full protection of environmental human rights defenders.