The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), adopted in 1992, is an international treaty focused on conserving biodiversity, using biological resources sustainably, and sharing benefits from genetic resources fairly. It guides countries to protect ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity while addressing threats like habitat loss and climate change.
As part of the CBD, each signatory country is required to develop national strategies to protect biodiversity. These strategies take the form of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), which detail how countries will conserve biodiversity, use biological resources sustainably, and share benefits fairly, while setting specific targets and actions to achieve the convention’s goals.
NBSAPs provide an essential roadmap for sustainable ecosystem management, species protection, and the integration of biodiversity considerations into broader development planning, translating international commitments into national policies and concrete measures.
Implementation Mechanisms
Effective NBSAPs rely on robust governance, financing, and institutional arrangements. Legal and regulatory instruments provide the necessary authority for enforcement, while dedicated agencies coordinate planning, monitoring, and reporting.
Financial mechanisms include national budget allocations, international development aid, and innovative funding tools such as biodiversity offsets or payments for ecosystem services.
Scientific research and monitoring programs support evidence-based decision-making, enabling adaptive management and the refinement of conservation priorities over time. Capacity-building initiatives strengthen technical skills, institutional effectiveness, and public awareness, ensuring that strategies are operationalized at multiple levels.
International Monitoring and Global CBD Alignment
The CBD monitors NBSAPs mainly through a reporting and review process. Under the convention, countries are required to periodically submit national reports detailing the implementation of their NBSAPs, including progress toward targets, challenges faced, and measures taken to conserve biodiversity. These reports are compiled and reviewed by the CBD Secretariat, which assesses global progress and identifies gaps or areas needing support.
Additionally, the CBD encourages countries to use indicators and monitoring tools to track the effectiveness of their NBSAP actions, ensuring that national strategies are aligned with international biodiversity goals, including the Aichi Targets and now the 2030 targets under the UN’s Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
Urgent Targets by 2030
Most countries prepared their NBSAPs over two decades ago when the CBD first required them, and since then, some nations have updated them continuously to address evolving biodiversity challenges. However, many countries have fallen behind, with outdated plans that no longer reflect current priorities or global targets.
With the adoption of the UN’s GBF in 2022, there is now a renewed urgency for all countries to revise their NBSAPs to align with the 2030 biodiversity goals and ensure effective action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.
These goals focus on halting biodiversity loss and ensuring sustainable use of nature.
The main targets include:
- Protecting ecosystems and species – Conserving at least 30% of land and sea areas globally, focusing on key biodiversity areas and ecosystems.
- Restoring degraded ecosystems – Actively restoring ecosystems and habitats to maintain ecosystem functions and services.
- Sustainable use of biodiversity – Ensuring that harvesting, trade, and use of wild species and resources are sustainable.
- Reducing pollution and harmful substances – Minimizing pollution from plastics, chemicals, and excess nutrients that harm biodiversity.
- Preventing extinction – Drastically reducing the risk of extinction for species by safeguarding populations and habitats.
- Climate-biodiversity integration – Aligning climate action with biodiversity goals, including nature-based solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation.
- Equitable benefit-sharing – Ensuring fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources and traditional knowledge.
- Mobilizing resources and capacity – Increasing funding, technical support, and capacity-building to implement biodiversity actions effectively.
The Environment Consultant 