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 8:
“Minimize the impact of climate change and ocean acidification on biodiversity and increase its resilience through mitigation, adaptation, and disaster risk reduction actions, including through nature-based solution and/or ecosystem-based approaches, while minimizing negative and fostering positive impacts of climate action on biodiversity.”
TARGET 8 of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework recognises the intricate links between climate change, ocean acidification, and biodiversity. The goal is not only to minimise the direct impacts these global challenges have on ecosystems, but also to enhance the ability of nature and human societies to adapt and recover from such impacts. This involves adopting mitigation measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies that are sensitive to the needs of biodiversity.
Central to TARGET 8 is the emphasis on nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches. These strategies harness the power of healthy ecosystems—such as forests, wetlands, and mangroves—to buffer the effects of climate change, sequester carbon, and reduce vulnerability to natural disasters. For example, restoring mangrove forests can protect coastal communities from storm surges while simultaneously providing habitat for diverse species and capturing atmospheric carbon.
Furthermore, the Framework calls for actions that not only avoid harm to biodiversity but also generate co-benefits for both nature and climate. This means climate action should be designed to support biodiversity outcomes wherever possible. For instance, renewable energy projects should be planned and implemented in ways that avoid disturbing critical habitats or migratory pathways. Likewise, agricultural and land-use policies should promote sustainable practices that enhance both carbon storage and ecosystem health.
By integrating biodiversity considerations into climate and disaster risk reduction policies, TARGET 8 aims to foster resilient ecosystems and communities. Achieving this target will require cross-sectoral collaboration, innovative policy frameworks, and the mobilisation of resources at local, national, and global levels. Ultimately, the successful implementation of TARGET 8 will contribute not only to the conservation of biodiversity but also to the long-term well-being of people and the stability of the planet.
