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. These ambitious targets are grouped under three key themes: (1) reducing threats to biodiversity (Targets 1-8); (2) meeting people’s needs through sustainable use and equitable benefit sharing (Targets 9-13); and (3) tools and solutions for implementation and mainstreaming (Targets 14-23).
Here is the TARGET 12:
“Significantly increase the area and quality, and connectivity of, access to, and benefits from green and blue spaces in urban and densely populated areas sustainably, by mainstreaming the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and ensure biodiversity-inclusive urban planning, enhancing native biodiversity, ecological connectivity and integrity, and improving human health and well-being and connection to nature, and contributing to inclusive and sustainable urbanization and to the provision of ecosystem functions and services.”
TARGET 12 recognises the critical importance of integrating biodiversity into the planning and management of urban and densely populated areas. In practice, this means not only increasing the total area of accessible green and blue spaces—such as parks, urban forests, rivers, and wetlands—but also improving their ecological quality and the connections between them. By focusing on ecological connectivity, TARGET 12 seeks to create networks of habitats that allow native species to thrive, even within city landscapes.
Furthermore, the target emphasises equitable access, ensuring that all urban residents, regardless of socio-economic background, can benefit from proximity to nature. This approach supports improved mental and physical health, fosters a stronger sense of community, and enhances people’s connection to the natural world. Importantly, it also contributes to climate resilience, as urban green and blue spaces help regulate temperatures, reduce flooding, and purify air and water.
To achieve TARGET 12, cities are encouraged to mainstream biodiversity considerations into urban development policies, infrastructure projects, and land-use planning. This involves collaboration between governments, urban planners, local communities, and the private sector to establish biodiversity-inclusive strategies. By doing so, cities can promote sustainable urbanisation while preserving and enhancing essential ecosystem functions and services for current and future generations.
