Conclusions

Our review helps to clarify the ambition of the species elements of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and allows for consistent interpretation of key terms and phrases within Goal A and Target 4. This common understanding is critical if implementation is to be adequate and comparable across Parties and other actors, and to ensure that implementation is focussed on those actions that are most important to achieve the agreed outcomes for species that are stated in Goal A.  While these outcomes are ambitious, research has shown that with sufficient resources deployed appropriately, extinctions can be avoided and species’ populations can be recovered. Our review may support Parties updating their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, by clarifying the outcomes required and actions needed to achieve these.
There is much scientific literature that can inform implementation, and a range of relevant guidance, tools and metrics exist to support actors in developing appropriate interventions. There are clear research needs arising from our review , and these include: a) developing an operational definition of what constitutes a healthy and resilient population that can be applied across taxonomic groups, and producing an appropriate indicator to measure this and that can be applied in countries with wildly varying access to resources; and b) defining the set of species, and the urgent management actions they require, that are relevant to Target 4; and c) developing an indicator to measure progress towards Target 4 by quantifying implementation of urgent recovery actions for species. Filling these knowledge gaps may make a significant difference to interpretation of what can be achieved and measured by 2030.
With only six years remaining until 2030, governments and other actors must rapidly translate the bold commitments made in the KMGBF into effective policies and management that are implemented comprehensively and at adequate scale. Achieving the species outcomes in the Framework will be challenging but is necessary to ensure the persistence of biodiversity and achieving the CBD’s vision of Living in Harmony by 2050.

References