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 5:
“Ensure that the use, harvesting and trade of wild species is sustainable, safe and legal, preventing overexploitation, minimizing impacts on non-target species and ecosystems, and reducing the risk of pathogen spillover, applying the ecosystem approach, while respecting and protecting customary sustainable use by indigenous peoples and local communities.”
TARGET 5 recognises the critical need to balance human use of wild species with the imperative of conservation. This target emphasises that the utilisation, harvesting, and trade of wild flora and fauna must be conducted in ways that do not compromise the survival of these species or the integrity of their ecosystems. By mandating sustainability, safety, and legality, TARGET 5 seeks to directly address the drivers of overexploitation—one of the leading causes of biodiversity loss worldwide.
Ensuring that wild species are not overharvested requires robust monitoring, effective regulation, and enforcement mechanisms at local, national, and international levels. This involves collaboration between governments, conservation organisations, industry stakeholders, and local communities to develop and implement best practices for sustainable resource management. In addition, minimising the impacts on non-target species and ecosystems means adopting selective harvesting techniques and integrative management plans that consider the broader ecological context.
Another essential aspect of TARGET 5 is the reduction of pathogen spillover risks, which is especially relevant in light of recent global health crises linked to wildlife trade. By promoting safe and regulated practices, the Framework aims to prevent the transmission of diseases from wild species to humans, livestock, and other wildlife, thereby safeguarding both ecological and public health.
Crucially, TARGET 5 acknowledges and respects the rights and traditional practices of indigenous peoples and local communities. These groups often possess deep knowledge of sustainable resource use and have long managed wild species in harmony with nature. The Framework calls for the protection of customary sustainable use, ensuring that conservation efforts are inclusive, equitable, and culturally sensitive.
Ultimately, achieving TARGET 5 will require coordinated action across sectors and borders, integrating scientific research, traditional knowledge, and policy innovation. Success will not only halt the decline of wild species but also contribute to resilient ecosystems, food security, and sustainable livelihoods for communities around the world.
