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 9:
“Ensure that the management and use of wild species are sustainable, thereby providing social, economic and environmental benefits for people, especially those in vulnerable situations and those most dependent on biodiversity, including through sustainable biodiversity-based activities, products and services that enhance biodiversity, and protecting and encouraging customary sustainable use by indigenous peoples and local communities.”
Target 9 of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework emphasises the importance of sustainable management and use of wild species, recognising that biodiversity is not only vital for ecosystem health but also for the social and economic well-being of communities, particularly those who are most vulnerable or directly reliant on natural resources. This target calls for practices that ensure wild species are harvested, utilised, and managed in ways that do not compromise their long-term viability or the ecological processes that support them.
Central to this goal is the concept of sustainability—balancing human needs with the imperative of conserving nature. By promoting biodiversity-based activities, products, and services, Target 9 encourages innovation and responsible business models that generate income while preserving ecological integrity. Examples include community-led ecotourism, sustainable fisheries, and wild plant harvesting that adhere to ecological guidelines.
Moreover, Target 9 acknowledges and respects the traditional knowledge and practices of indigenous peoples and local communities. Their customary sustainable use of wild species often embodies centuries of experience and adaptation, offering valuable lessons in resource stewardship. The Framework seeks to protect these practices and encourage their integration into national and global biodiversity strategies, ensuring that these communities remain active participants and beneficiaries in conservation efforts.
Achieving Target 9 will require robust policy frameworks, effective monitoring, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. This includes ensuring that legal and institutional mechanisms are in place to support sustainable use, combat illegal exploitation, and enhance capacity-building among local communities. International cooperation and financial support will also be key to enabling countries to meet this target, especially where resources and expertise may be limited.
In summary, Target 9 is a critical component of the broader mission to halt biodiversity loss. It recognises that people and nature are interconnected, and that sustainable management of wild species can deliver lasting benefits for both current and future generations.
