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 21:
“Ensure that the best available data, information and knowledge are accessible to decision makers, practitioners and the public to guide effective and equitable governance, integrated and participatory management of biodiversity, and to strengthen communication, awareness-raising, education, monitoring, research and knowledge management and, also in this context, traditional knowledge, innovations, practices and technologies of indigenous peoples and local communities should only be accessed with their free, prior and informed consent,14 in accordance with national legislation.”
Target 21 of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework emphasises the critical importance of making high-quality data, information, and knowledge widely accessible. This goal is essential for enabling effective, inclusive, and equitable governance and management of biodiversity at all levels. By ensuring that decision makers, practitioners, and the public have reliable and comprehensive access to resources, societies can foster more informed policy-making, drive participatory management approaches, and enhance overall biodiversity outcomes.
Moreover, Target 21 recognises the vital role of communication, education, and awareness-raising in supporting biodiversity goals. These components help build a broader understanding of the challenges facing biodiversity, promote active engagement among stakeholders, and encourage the adoption of best practices in conservation and sustainable use. The emphasis on monitoring, research, and knowledge management further ensures that progress can be tracked, lessons can be learned, and strategies can be adapted over time.
A distinctive aspect of Target 21 is its explicit reference to the traditional knowledge, innovations, practices, and technologies of indigenous peoples and local communities. The Framework stipulates that access to such knowledge must be based on free, prior, and informed consent, and in accordance with national legislation. This approach respects the rights and sovereignty of indigenous communities, acknowledges the value of their contributions to biodiversity conservation, and promotes equitable benefit sharing. By integrating traditional and scientific knowledge, Target 21 aims to enrich the diversity of approaches available for managing and restoring ecosystems.
In summary, Target 21 provides a foundation for transparent, inclusive, and knowledge-driven biodiversity governance. Its implementation will be crucial for achieving the Framework’s broader objectives, ensuring that all stakeholders are empowered to contribute meaningfully to the protection and restoration of nature.
