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 C:

“The monetary and non-monetary benefits from the utilization of genetic resources and digital sequence information on genetic resources, and of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources, as applicable, are shared fairly and equitably, including, as appropriate with indigenous peoples and local communities, and substantially increased by 2050, while ensuring traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources is appropriately protected, thereby contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, in accordance with internationally agreed access and benefit-sharing instruments.”

According to the K-M Global Biodiversity Framework, GOAL C concerns the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the utilization of genetic resources.

Understanding GOAL C: Fair and Equitable Sharing of Biodiversity Benefits

— The Heart of Equity in Biodiversity Conservation

GOAL C of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework stands as a pivotal commitment to equity, justice, and inclusion within the global biodiversity agenda. By centering the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from genetic resources—including those captured in digital sequences and in traditional knowledge—the Framework recognizes the essential role that diverse communities and countries play in sustaining life on Earth.

The Significance of GOAL C

At its core, GOAL C is about ensuring that the rewards and advantages from research, innovation, and commercialization based on genetic resources are not monopolized by a few, but distributed widely. This includes both direct monetary gains, such as profits from new medicines or crops developed from these resources, and non-monetary benefits, like technology transfer, capacity-building, and access to scientific information.

Indigenous peoples and local communities have long been stewards of biodiversity and holders of vital traditional knowledge. GOAL C underscores their right to participate in, and benefit from, the use of genetic resources and associated knowledge, with appropriate protections in place. This reflects a broader shift in international environmental law towards acknowledging and rectifying historical imbalances and ensuring that those who have safeguarded biodiversity are recognized and rewarded.

Access and Benefit-Sharing: An Evolving International Norm

The principle of access and benefit-sharing (ABS) is not new—it was enshrined in the original Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992 and later detailed in the Nagoya Protocol. However, GOAL C strengthens and extends these commitments, particularly by explicitly including digital sequence information (DSI), which plays an increasingly large role in biotechnology and pharmacology. As genetic data can now be shared, analyzed, and utilized across borders instantly, ensuring fair benefit-sharing has become both more complex and more urgent.

Key Implications and Opportunities

• Innovation and Collaboration: GOAL C encourages collaboration between countries, research institutions, and local communities, fostering innovation that respects and values all contributors.
• Empowerment of Indigenous and Local Communities: By mandating that benefits flow back to those who provide genetic resources and traditional knowledge, GOAL C empowers communities, supports livelihoods, and incentivizes conservation practices.
• Global Solidarity: The goal sets a standard for ethical engagement with biodiversity, reinforcing global solidarity and mutual responsibility in facing common environmental challenges.

Challenges and the Path Forward

Despite its promise, the realization of GOAL C faces several hurdles. Defining and quantifying non-monetary benefits, establishing legal frameworks for DSI, and ensuring that communities have the capacity and resources to negotiate equitable agreements are all significant challenges. Furthermore, mechanisms must be put in place to protect traditional knowledge from misappropriation and to ensure that benefits are not only promised, but actually delivered.

To achieve these ambitions, it will be essential to foster transparent decision-making, build trust among stakeholders, and create robust monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. International cooperation, respect for diverse legal and cultural systems, and sustained financial support will all play crucial roles.

Conclusion

GOAL C represents a transformative vision for conservation—one that recognizes the intrinsic link between justice and biodiversity. By championing the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework sets the stage for more inclusive, ethical, and effective stewardship of our planet’s genetic heritage. The path forward will require innovation, partnership, and unwavering commitment, but the rewards—a flourishing planet and a fairer world—are well worth the effort.