The UN International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22) raises awareness about biodiversity threats, crucial for human survival. The 2025 theme, “Harmony with nature and sustainable development,” emphasizes aligning the 2030 SDGs with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF)—a universal pact for nature.
The KMGBF’s 23 action targets (2030 goals, 2050 vision) provide a roadmap to halt biodiversity loss through habitat protection, species conservation, sustainable resource use, and fair benefit-sharing. These targets complement global commitments like the SDGs and the Convention on Biological Diversity, adapting to national contexts. Adopted in 2022, they aim to reverse biodiversity decline by 2030.
Why biodiversity is essential for our socio-economic development
Biodiversity forms the backbone of healthy ecosystems, directly supporting essential services such as clean air and water, crop pollination, climate regulation, protection from natural disasters, recreation, and cultural inspiration. These ecosystem services are vital for human health, livelihoods, and food security, as they ensure that we have access to medicines, food crops, and other natural resources. The interdependence between biodiversity and ecosystem services underscores its importance for sustaining human life.
The loss of biodiversity can have profound consequences, threatening to destabilize ecosystems and affect global climate patterns. This destabilization can disrupt the very services that biodiversity supports, leading to a cascade of negative impacts on human health and food security. Therefore, preserving biodiversity is not only crucial for maintaining ecosystem balance but also for ensuring global economic stability and resilience against environmental changes.
How the KMGBF Targets Address Sustainable Development Goals
Protecting and restoring key habitats (SDGs 14, 11,15) such as forests, wetlands, and coastal areas is fundamental to preserving biodiversity. These efforts are intrinsically linked to species conservation, as safeguarding habitats directly reduces the risk of species extinction, boosts species abundance, and ensures the protection of threatened species.
In tandem, promoting sustainable resource use (SDGs 1, 2,3, 8,12, 14,15) in sectors like fisheries, forestry, and agriculture is essential to minimize adverse impacts on biodiversity, ensuring that natural resources are used responsibly and efficiently. This sustainable approach naturally extends to equitable benefit sharing, where the framework stresses the importance of distributing the benefits of biodiversity fairly, particularly to Indigenous Peoples and local communities who are often stewards of these resources.
Addressing pollution and climate change (SDGs 3,6,7,13) is also central to the framework, as these are significant threats to biodiversity. By advocating for clean energy, reducing pollution, and implementing climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, the framework aims to create a healthier environment for all living organisms.
Lastly, achieving gender equality (SDGs 4,5,9) is crucial, as empowering women and recognizing their roles in biodiversity conservation can lead to more effective and inclusive conservation efforts. The Women4Biodiversity initiative for instance, explores how each target can address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women and girls in this vital field, ensuring that their contributions are recognized and valued.
Overall, the GBF provides a roadmap for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by recognizing the critical role of biodiversity in achieving the SDGs. It highlights how biodiversity is interconnected with various aspects of sustainable development, from food security and water resources to healthy oceans and ecosystems.
