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 4:
“Ensure urgent management actions to halt human induced extinction of known threatened species and for the recovery and conservation of species, in particular threatened species, to significantly reduce extinction risk, as well as to maintain and restore the genetic diversity within and between populations of native, wild and domesticated species to maintain their adaptive potential, including through in situ and ex situ conservation and sustainable management practices, and effectively manage human-wildlife interactions to minimize human-wildlife conflict for coexistence.”
TARGET 4 addresses the urgent need to halt the human-driven extinction of threatened species and to promote their recovery and long-term conservation. This target emphasises the importance of implementing immediate management actions that can directly prevent further losses, especially for species already identified as being at risk. By focusing on both the cessation of extinction and the recovery of populations, TARGET 4 seeks to reverse current trends in biodiversity decline.
A key component of this target is the preservation and restoration of genetic diversity within and between populations of native, wild, and domesticated species. Genetic diversity is crucial for species’ adaptability and resilience to environmental changes, diseases, and other threats. The target calls for a combination of in situ conservation (protecting species in their natural habitats) and ex situ conservation (such as seed banks, botanical gardens, and captive breeding programmes) to ensure that genetic resources are maintained for future generations.
Additionally, TARGET 4 highlights the need for sustainable management practices that balance conservation objectives with human activities. Effective management of human-wildlife interactions is essential to minimise conflict and foster coexistence. Strategies may include community engagement, the development of non-lethal conflict mitigation techniques, and policies that incentivise the protection of wildlife habitats while supporting local livelihoods.
Overall, the successful implementation of TARGET 4 will require coordinated efforts from governments, local communities, scientists, and the private sector. By integrating conservation actions across multiple levels and sectors, the goal is to significantly reduce extinction risks and maintain the adaptive potential of species, contributing to a healthier and more resilient planet for all.
