Convention on Biological Diversity

Link manager: Lauren Moore, Policy Officer

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) group convenes colleagues to consider domestic implementation of the CBD, including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

This Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) agreed at CBD COP15 in 2022 is a landmark agreement that signals a collective intent to create a nature-positive future. To achieve this, it sets out four goals and 23 action-oriented targets, with the overall aim to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. The ambition is welcome and needed - but the true test will be effective implementation of the GBF in individual countries. There are now just six years left until 2030 and to achieve the GBF targets.

The UK played an important role in negotiating the GBF, including the key target to protect and manage for nature at least 30% of land and sea by 2030 (also known as 30x30). The UK also played an important role at CBD COP16 in 2024, including during negotiations around Digital Sequencing Information (DSI).

Domestic action is needed to demonstrate the UK’s continuing commitment to these targets and to achieve nature recovery.

The UK submitted its ‘National Targets’ to the CBD ahead of COP16, which align with all the GBF targets. This is an important first step in effective implementation, but must be swiftly followed by the UK’s plan to achieve those targets, its NBSAP, which has not yet been published. Wildlife and Countryside Link is working with sister Links in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to identify what a strong UK NBSAP should look like, and ensure that policies are in place across all four nations to meet the 2030 targets.

To hold the Government to account for domestic implementation of its international nature targets, Link has also published policy progress trackers which assessed to what extent the policy building blocks are in place in England to support the delivery of the 2030 GBF targets. The most recent analysis in 2024 found that of the 26 assessed targets, 14 had either seen policy stall or go backwards with only 12 seeing limited progress. None of the targets were regarded as having sufficient policies in place and delivery of those policies to meet the 2030 deadline.

For more information about Link’s CBD work, please contact Lauren Moore, Policy Officer at Link.

Last updated: August 2025