The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Explained | Earth.Org

On December 18, 2022, the 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) dedicated to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity achieved a historical feat in biodiversity conservation, with more than 190 countries adopting the historic Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

What Is the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework?

Dubbed a “Paris moment for biodiversity,” the high expectations of the biodiversity framework mirror that of the 2015 Paris Agreement due to both being projected as pivotal agreements in global climate action.

While the Paris Agreement focused on limiting global warming to 1.5C-2C, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was implemented to safeguard global biodiversity, which has been dwindling at an alarming rate.

The Main Goals of the Biodiversity Framework

One of the most notable takeaways of the framework is the 30×30 goal, which requires at least 30% of terrestrial, inland water, and of coastal and marine areas “effectively conserved” or otherwise restored from degraded states by 2030.

This framework is indeed ambitious in contrast with the previous biodiversity agreement, the 2010 Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The latter agreement had 20 goals surrounding biodiversity protection, including protecting 17% of land and 10% of oceans by 2020. Unfortunately, none of the Aichi targets were accomplished.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework also recognises the roles of indigenous communities when it comes to biodiversity conservation.

Posed at Target 1, the framework emphasises the goal of reducing the loss of areas that are heavily linked to high biodiversity concentrations close to zero by the end of the current decade. Most importantly, it states that this will be done while “respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities.”

Indigenous people have long suffered from environmental conservation laws that overlook and dismiss their contributions to environmental protection. The Stockholm Conference of 1972, designed to address environmental issues in the modern age, failed to acknowledge the rights of indigenous people. In 2014, the UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR) published a press release condemning the deletion of indigenous people from final drafts of UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Indigenous communities are essential in carrying out solutions for ecosystems, since their traditional knowledge is useful when it comes to assessing the environment for proper and sustainable ecosystem management. By properly addressing them in global conferences, their rights and identities are officially recognised. In turn, they can continue to fine-tune their environmental conservation practices freely.

How Will the Goals Be Pursued?

The biodiversity framework enforces high hopes for future biodiversity conservation but whether it can be properly implemented has been a question left hanging over the past few months.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) was tasked to collect required funding for the framework, leading to the establishment of a new trust fund – the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBF).

According to GEF, the participating countries will translate the framework into national strategies. This would mainly require the allocation of adequate funding, especially for developing countries, which are also those with the richest biodiversities on earth.

On June 26, 2023, the GEF published a press release stating its provision of $1.4 billion to support 136 countries, particularly developing ones, in protecting their species and habitat loss, which is in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Furthermore, the GEF plans to collect another $9.1 billion for additional financial support.

While the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework sounds extremely promising, it highly relies on sufficient financial aid for developing countries since they house most of the biodiverse areas. In order to fully implement the framework, the circulation of financial aid from developed countries to developing countries is essential. After all, a rich biodiversity is not only a national asset for developing regions but an international asset for all.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 15: Life on Land
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 14: Life Below Water
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The article discusses the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to safeguard global biodiversity. This aligns with SDG 15, which focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, and SDG 14, which focuses on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources. Additionally, the article mentions the financial impacts on global biodiversity, which connects to SDG 13 on climate action and SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production. The recognition of indigenous communities’ roles in biodiversity conservation also relates to SDG 10 on reduced inequalities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 15.1: By 2030, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
• Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
• Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

Based on the article’s content, the targets mentioned above can be identified. These targets focus on the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial and marine ecosystems, the inclusion of indigenous communities, and the responsible management of chemicals and wastes.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area
• Indicator 14.2.1: Proportion of national exclusive economic zones managed using ecosystem-based approaches
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities
• Indicator 12.4.1: Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, including their disposal

The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but based on the identified targets, these indicators can be used to measure progress towards achieving them. These indicators focus on measuring forest area, the management of exclusive economic zones using ecosystem-based approaches, income inequality, and international agreements on hazardous waste.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: earth.org

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