The Kunming-Montreal agreement, adopted overnight from Sunday to Monday, contains 23 targets that aim to protect global biodiversity. The implementation of these targets will now depend on each signatory country. Here is, in summary, the purpose of these targets:
Target 1
Reduce to “near zero” the loss of areas very rich in biodiversity by 2030.
Target 2
Ensure that at least 30% of degraded natural environments are being restored by 2030.
Target 3
Ensure that 30% of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine environments, particularly those of high importance for biodiversity, are protected by 2030.
A “sustainable use” of these territories is authorized, as long as it is consistent with the protection objectives. The rights of indigenous and local communities in these territories must also be ensured.
Target 4
Act to stop the extinction of species caused by humanity and to promote the recovery of endangered species.
Target 5
Ensure that harvesting of wild species is done in a “sustainable, safe and legal” manner, preventing overexploitation and reducing the risk of “spillover” of pathogens from one species to another.
Target 6
Reduce the consequences of invasive alien species; reduce the introduction rates of these species by 50% by 2030.
Target 7
Reduce the risks created by pollution by 2030 to levels that are not dangerous for biodiversity. These include reducing the loss of nutrients (such as fertilizers) to the environment by 50%, reducing the risks associated with pesticides by 50%, and “working” towards eliminating plastic pollution.
Target 8
Reducing the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on biodiversity, including through “nature-based solutions” and/or “ecosystem-based approaches”.
Target 9
Ensure sustainable management of wild species, so as to provide “social, economic and environmental” benefits to the communities that depend on them.
Target 10
Ensure sustainable management of territories where agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry are practiced.
Target 11
Restore and enhance ecosystem services, such as soil health and pollination, with “nature-based solutions” and/or “ecosystem-based approaches”.
Target 12
Significantly increase “blue” and “green” spaces in urban areas.
Target 13
Act to ensure the “fair and equitable” sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic data. By 2030, achieve a “significant increase” in the sharing of these benefits.
Target 14
Fully integrate the issue of biodiversity into all public policies, particularly those related to development.
Target 15
Take action to hold corporations accountable for their impacts on biodiversity, and reduce their negative impacts on nature.
Target 16
Encourage people to make sustainable consumption choices. By 2030, reduce the global footprint of consumption, reduce food waste by 50%, “significantly” reduce overconsumption, as well as the creation of waste.
Target 17
Implement biosafety and biotechnology handling measures stipulated in certain articles of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Target 18
Identify subsidies harmful to biodiversity by 2025. Reduce them by at least US$500 billion by 2030.
Target 19
Invest at least $200 billion per year by 2030 to protect the world’s biodiversity.
Developed countries pledge to pay 20 billion per year by 2025, and 30 billion by 2030, to developing countries to protect their biodiversity. The agreement also plans to increase the use of private funds. It also encourages the establishment of “innovative mechanisms”, such as payments for ecosystem services and offset credits for biodiversity.
Target 20
Promote scientific cooperation between the countries of the North and those of the South on the subject of the sustainable use of nature and its protection.
Target 21
Ensure that the best information is available for decision-making related to biodiversity. Ensure that indigenous knowledge is used with the full consent of its holders.
Target 22
Ensure that decision-making about biodiversity is done in an inclusive manner, with respect for women, youth, Indigenous peoples and people with disabilities.
Target 23
Ensure that the implementation of the framework of the Kunming-Montreal agreement is carried out from a gender equality perspective.