Biodiversity is fundamental to human well-being, planetary health, and economic prosperity around the world. Yet, it is facing an unprecedented crisis: nearly one million species are at risk of extinction. The current extinction rate is already tens to hundreds of times greater than the average over the past ten million years—and this rate is accelerating.
In response to this urgent situation, the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted on December 19, 2022, during the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. This landmark agreement aims to halt the alarming loss of biodiversity and drive global efforts to restore nature.
The Framework includes four long-term goals to achieve the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity, alongside twenty-three specific global targets set for achievement by 2030.
Here is the GOAL A:
“The integrity, connectivity and resilience of all ecosystems are maintained, enhanced, or restored, substantially increasing the area of natural ecosystems by 2050;
Human induced extinction of known threatened species is halted, and, by 2050, the extinction rate and risk of all species are reduced tenfold and the abundance of native wild species is increased to healthy and resilient levels;
The genetic diversity within populations of wild and domesticated species, is maintained, safeguarding their adaptive potential.”
According to the K-M Global Biodiversity Framework, GOAL A incorporates three objectives: (1) the maintenance, enhancement and restoration of natural ecosystems by 2050; (2) halting the extinction of threatened species, a tenfold reduction in the extinction rate and risk of all species; and (3) increasing the abundance of wild species to healthy and resilient levels.
Understanding GOAL A of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
— Safeguarding Ecosystem Integrity and Species Survival
GOAL A stands as the cornerstone of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, encapsulating the urgent need to restore and protect the natural world. Delving deeper into its three objectives reveals both the ambition and the complexity of this global commitment.
Preserving, Enhancing, and Restoring Ecosystems
The first objective of GOAL A calls for the maintenance, enhancement, and restoration of the integrity, connectivity, and resilience of all ecosystems by 2050. This means protecting the world’s forests, wetlands, grasslands, oceans, and other natural habitats from further degradation, while actively working to heal the damage already done. Efforts include restoring degraded lands, reconnecting fragmented habitats to allow species migration, and bolstering ecosystem functions that support life—from water purification to carbon sequestration.
International collaboration and robust policy frameworks are essential to achieve these aims. Governments, communities, and stakeholders must prioritize sustainable land use, halt deforestation, and encourage practices that nurture biodiversity. The increase in the area of natural ecosystems is both a quantitative and qualitative goal: it’s not just about expanding green spaces, but ensuring these areas support rich and thriving biodiversity.
Halting Extinction and Reducing Species Loss
The second objective targets one of the gravest aspects of the biodiversity crisis: species extinction. GOAL A sets forth a clear directive—halt human-induced extinction of known threatened species by 2050. Furthermore, it aims to reduce the extinction rate and risk for all species tenfold. This demands immediate action to remove the primary drivers of extinction, such as habitat destruction, overexploitation, pollution, invasive species, and climate change.
Critical actions include enforcing stronger wildlife protection laws, creating and maintaining safe havens for endangered species, and advancing scientific research to better understand and mitigate threats. Restoring populations of vulnerable flora and fauna, and supporting the recovery of species on the brink, underpin this objective. Ultimately, the goal is to foster ecosystems where native wild species not only survive but thrive in healthy and resilient numbers.
Safeguarding Genetic Diversity
The third objective under GOAL A highlights the importance of genetic diversity within populations of both wild and domesticated species. Genetic diversity is the foundation of species’ adaptability and resilience in the face of environmental change. Loss of genetic variety can leave species susceptible to diseases, reduce vitality, and inhibit evolution.
To address this, the Framework emphasizes measures to conserve genetic resources—such as maintaining seed banks, protecting wild relatives of cultivated plants, and supporting sustainable breeding programs. This also involves monitoring genetic health and preventing practices that lead to genetic erosion, like monoculture farming or overhunting of specific populations.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Achieving GOAL A will require significant investment, unprecedented cooperation, and a shift in how humanity values and interacts with nature. It calls for innovative approaches in conservation, restoration, and sustainable use. Furthermore, the inclusion of Indigenous peoples and local communities—who are often stewards of the world’s most biodiverse regions—is crucial for the success of these objectives.
While the challenges are formidable, the opportunities are profound. Meeting GOAL A would benefit not only biodiversity but also human societies, by providing cleaner air and water, climate regulation, food security, and countless other ecosystem services that underpin well-being.
