Progress in achieving the 2010 Biodiversity Target

We still lack comprehensive global-scale measures to assess progress towards the 2010 Biodiversity Target. On the basis of the information available to date and analysed for the second edition of Global Biodiversity Outlook, a common message emerges: biodiversity is in decline at all levels and geographical scales, but targeted response options — whether through protected areas, or resource management and pollution prevention programmes — can reverse this trend for specific habitats or species. Two of the response indicators used in Global Biodiversity Outlook 2 show positive trends:

• Protected area coverage has doubled over the past 20 years and terrestrial protected areas now cover over 12% of the Earth’s land surface.

• Water quality in rivers in Europe, North America, and Latin America and the Caribbean has improved since the 1980s.

The adoption of the 2010 Biodiversity Target in 2002, and of a flexible framework for assessing progress towards the Convention’s Strategic Plan in 2004, has focused the attention of many researchers, segments of civil society, the private sector, representatives of indigenous and local communities, organizations and decision-makers on two related questions: where do we stand in relation to the 2010 target and what needs to be done to achieve it. There is no doubt that the ongoing debate on the need to reduce, and eventually halt the loss of biodiversity, and our ability to assess the effectiveness of actions undertaken in this regard, have already made a significant impact on decision-making and implementation of biodiversityrelated activities.

Countdown 2010 is a powerful network of active partners that facilitates and encourages action, promotes the importance of the 2010 Biodiversity Target and assesses progress towards 2010. Through a multitude of activities Countdown 2010 assist Governments worldwide in moving closer to this 2010 Biodiversity Target.