Information

Strategic Plan:  future evaluation of progress

The Conference of the Parties,

Review and evaluation

Recognizing the need to:  (i) facilitate assessment of progress towards the 2010 target, and communication of this assessment; (ii) promote coherence among the various programmes of work of the Convention; and (iii) provide a flexible framework within which national and regional targets may be set, and indicators identified, where so desired by Parties; as well as (iv) the need for a mechanism to review implementation of the Convention,

Recalling the statement in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation that a more efficient and coherent implementation of the three objectives of the Convention and the achievement by 2010 of a significant reduction in the current rate of loss of biological diversity will require the provision of new and additional financial and technical resources to developing countries,

1. Decides to develop a framework to enhance the evaluation of achievements and progress in the implementation of the Strategic Plan and, in particular, its mission, to achieve a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss at global, regional and national levels.  The framework includes the following focal areas:

(a)  Reducing the rate of loss of the components of biodiversity, including:  (i) biomes, habitats and ecosystems; (ii) species and populations; and (iii) genetic diversity;

(b)  Promoting sustainable use of biodiversity;

(c)  Addressing the major threats to biodiversity, including those arising from invasive alien species, climate change, pollution, and habitat change;

(d)  Maintaining ecosystem integrity, and the provision of goods and services provided by biodiversity in ecosystems, in support of human well-being;

(e)  Protecting traditional knowledge, innovations and practices;

(f)  Ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources; and

(g)  Mobilizing financial and technical resources, especially for developing countries, in particular least developed countries and small island developing States among them, and countries with economies in transition, for implementing the Convention and the Strategic Plan;

Goals and sub-targets will be established, and indicators identified, for each of the focal areas. The goals and sub-targets will complement the existing goals of the Strategic Plan; [75]/

 2.  For the purposes of assessing progress towards the target to achieve by 2010, a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss, defines biodiversity loss as the long-term or permanent qualitative or quantitative reduction in components of biodiversity and their potential to provide goods and services, to be measured at global, regional and national levels;

Indicators for assessing progress towards, and communicating the 2010 target at the global level

3. In order to assess progress at the global level towards the 2010 target, and to communicate effectively trends in biodiversity related to the three objectives of the Convention, agrees that a limited number of trial indicators, for which data are available from existing sources, be developed and used in reporting, inter alia, through the Global Biodiversity Outlook.  A balanced set of indicators should be identified or developed, according to the principles for choosing indicators identified by the Expert Group on Indicators and Monitoring (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/9/10) referred to in decision VII/8, on monitoring and indicators, to assess and communicate trends in the focal areas listed in paragraph 1.  The global application of those indicators as well as the assessment of the progress towards the 2010 target should not be used to evaluate the level of implementation of the Convention in individual Parties or regions.  As far as is feasible, the indicators should be identified or developed in such as way that:

 (a) The same indicators may be used at the global, regional, national and local levels as tools for the implementation of the Convention and of national biodiversity strategies and action plans, where so desired by Parties;

(b)  The indicators relate to one or more of the various Programmes of Work of the Convention;

(c)  The indicators should take into consideration relevant Millennium Development Goals and indicators developed by other relevant international processes; and

(d)  Existing data sets are used.

Full use should be made of the report of the London meeting (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/9/INF/9), and the notes by the Executive Secretary: on proposed biodiversity indicators relevant to the 2010 target  (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/9/INF/26); on using existing processes as building blocks in reporting on the 2010 target (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/9/INF/27), on proposed global indicators (UNEP/CBD/COP/7/INF/33), and on monitoring and indicators (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/9/10);

4.   Agrees that the indicators to be tested, identified or developed, are listed in annex I to the present decision.  Indicators for immediate testing are listed in column B of annex I; indicators requiring further development are listed in column C of annex I;

5. Requests the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice at its tenth or eleventh meetings to evaluate information on the changes in trends and status of biodiversity, particularly the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global level inter alia by reviewing a draft of the Second Global Biodiversity Outlook;

6. Requests the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice at its tenth or eleventh meetings, with the assistance of an ad hoc technical expert group, subject to the availability of the necessary voluntary contributions to:

(a)  Review the use of the indicators listed in annex I, column B, to the present decisions, inter alia, by reviewing a draft of the second Global Biodiversity Outlook;

(b)  Identify or develop indicators listed in annex I, column C, to the present decision, ensuring that the full set of indicators is limited in number;

and report on the results to the Conference of the Parties at its eighth meeting;

7. Requests the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing and the Ad Hoc Open-ended Inter-Sessional Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity, respectively, to explore the need and possible options for indicators for access to genetic resources and in particular for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources, and associated innovations, knowledge and practices of  indigenous and local communities, and for the protection of innovations, knowledge and practices of  indigenous and local communities, and to report the results to the Conference of the Parties at its eighth meeting;

8. Requests the Executive Secretary, with the assistance of the World Conservation Monitoring Centre of the United Nations Environment Programme and other relevant international organizations, to

(a)  Prepare the second Global Biodiversity Outlook for publication prior to the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties following peer review and review by the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice at its tenth or eleventh meeting.  The second Global Biodiversity Outlook should provide an assessment of progress towards the 2010 biodiversity target at the global level and communicate effectively trends in biodiversity related to the three objectives of the Convention, based on the focal areas listed in paragraph 1 of the present decision, and making use of the indicators listed in annex I below that are successfully developed and tested, information provided in the national  reports, as well as information provided by international organizations;

(b)  Prepare the necessary background documentation to assist the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice in the work outlined in paragraph 6 above;

9. Invites related conventions, assessment processes and relevant organizations to contribute reports and information that assist the monitoring of progress towards the 2010 targets;

10.  Invites the World Conservation Monitoring Centre of the United Nations Environment Programme to support the Secretariat in facilitating the compilation of information necessary for reporting on achievement on the 2010 target;

Goals and sub-targets to facilitate coherence among the programmes of work, and to provide a flexible framework for national targets

11.  Decides to establish, goals and sub- targets for each of the focal areas identified in paragraph 1 above, as set out in annex II to the present decision, in order to clarify the 2010 global biodiversity target adopted by decision VI/26, help assess progress towards the target, and promote coherence among the programmes of work of the Convention.  Such goals would complement the existing goals of the Strategic Plan;

12 Requests the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice at its tenth or eleventh meetings to:

(a)  Review, and, as necessary, further refine the goals and sub-targets, ensuring that they are linked to relevant Millennium Development Goals, initiatives of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, and the goals articulated by other relevant international processes;

(b)  Identify indicators for the sub-targets, where possible, by association with the indicators provided in annex I to the present decision;

(c)  Refine proposals for the integration of outcome-oriented targets proposals for the integration of outcome-oriented targets into the programmes of work of inland water biodiversity and of marine and coastal biodiversity, according to the framework in annex II and using the approach set out in annex III to the present decision, identifying more precise targets, including, as appropriate, quantitative elements and decides that outcome oriented targets are a key priority for the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice;

(d)  When the programmes of work of the Convention, are reviewed according to the multi-year programme of work of the Conference of the Parties develop recommendations for the integration of outcome-oriented targets into each of the thematic programmes of work, according to the framework in annex II and using the approach set out in annex III to the present decision, identifying more precise targets, including, as appropriate, quantitative elements;

13.  Requests the Executive Secretary:

 (a) To prepare proposals for the integration of goals and targets into the programmes of work when these programmes are due for review according to the multi-year programme of work of the Conference of the Parties, taking into account that these goals and targets should be viewed as flexible framework within which national and/or regional targets may be developed, according to national priorities and capacities; and

(b)  To make full use of the clearing‑house mechanism in promoting technical cooperation to achieve the 2010 targets and facilitating information exchange on progress made;

National implementation and national biodiversity strategies and action plans

14.  Emphasizes that the goals and targets referred to in paragraph 12 above should be viewed as a flexible framework within which national and/or regional targets may be developed, according to national priorities and capacities, and taking into account differences in diversity between countries;

15.  Invites Parties and Governments to develop national and/or regional goals and targets, and, as appropriate, to incorporate them into relevant plans, programmes and initiatives, including national biodiversity strategies and action plans;

16. Invites Parties and Governments to use existing national indicators or to establish national indicators using the tools (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/9/10) referred to in decision VII/8, on monitoring and indicators, and according to their national needs and priorities, to assess progress towards their national/and or regional targets;

17.    Emphasizes the need for capacity-building, especially in developing countries, in particular the least developed countries and the small island developing States among them, and countries with economies in transition, in order to enable them to implement activities to achieve and monitor progress towards the goals and targets;

18.  Invites Parties, Governments, international and funding organizations to provide adequate and timely support for the implementation of activities to achieve and monitor progress towards the goals and targets to developing country Parties, in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States among them, and Parties with economies in transition, as appropriate;

19.  Requests the Executive Secretary to continue to explore ways to expand active support for developing country Parties in particular least developed countries and small island developing States among them, and Parties with economies in transition, where appropriate, in the development, revision and implementation of national biodiversity strategies and action plans. This process should include the commitment and resources of civil society in the development and implementation of national biodiversity strategies and action plans;

20.  Emphasizes that national biodiversity strategies and action plans, as the primary mechanisms for the implementation of the Convention and the Strategic Plan, should be developed or reviewed with due regard to the relevant aspects of the four goals of the Strategic Plan, and the goals established by this decision, to enable greater contribution to the achievement of the 2010 target, consistent with national needs and priorities; and invites Parties to incorporate the goals, as appropriate, into the national biodiversity strategies and action plans when these are revised;

21.  Invites developed country Parties continue to provide support to developing country Parties, in particular least developed countries and small island developing States among them, and Parties with economies in transition , as appropriate, to develop national-level indicators;

22.  Requests the Executive Secretary to report to Conference of the Parties at its eighth meeting on the work required by decision V/20, paragraph 41, to allow further work to be undertaken to identify ways to support the review by Parties of national implementation;

Review of implementation of the Convention

23.  Recognizing the need to establish a process, for evaluating, reporting and reviewing the Strategic Plan 2002‑2010, decides to allocate adequate time in subsequent meetings of the Conference of the Parties and the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, as well as ad hoc open-ended Working Groups, as appropriate, and establishes an Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Review of Implementation of the Convention, subject to the availability of the necessary voluntary contributions, to consider progress in the implementation of the Convention and the Strategic Plan and achievements leading up to the 2010 target in line with the multi-year programme of work for the Conference of the Parties (decision VII/31), to review the impacts and effectiveness of existing processes under the Convention, such as meetings of the Conference of the Parties, the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, national focal points and the Secretariat, as part of the overall process for improving the operations of the Convention and implementation of the Strategic Plan, and to consider ways and means of identifying and overcoming obstacles to the effective implementation of the Convention;

24.  Invites Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations to submit views on these issues to the Executive Secretary, and requests the Executive Secretary to compile and make available these views for consideration by the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Review of Implementation of the Convention;

  25.  Requests the Executive Secretary to participate in processes arising from the twenty‑second session of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme relating to consideration of the development and establishment of an interGovernmental strategic plan for implementation support, linked to the outcome of the international environmental governance process, to ensure that it will contribute to the implementation of the Convention;

26.  Decides to address explicitly the need to provide focused support and improve existing support mechanisms where obstacles to implementation of national biodiversity strategies and action plans have been identified, particularly when considering the results of the evaluation of progress in achievement the goals and mission of the Strategic Plan as well as the goals and sub-targets established in this decision

27.  Recognizing in the development of better methods to evaluate progress in the implementation of the Convention that consideration could be given to making full use of the experiences of other multilateral environmental agreements, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, requests the Executive Secretary to initiate action as a follow-up to paragraph 41 of decision V/20,.

Annex I

 PROVISIONAL INDICATORS FOR ASSESSING PROGRESS TOWARDS THE 2010 BIODIVERSITY TARGET

Annex II

Provisional framework for goals and targets

Protect the components of biodiversity

Goal 1. Promote the conservation of the biological  diversity of ecosystems, habitats and biomes

Target 1.1: At least 10% of each of the world's ecological regions effectively conserved.

Target 1.2: Areas of particular importance to biodiversity protected

Goal 2. Promote the conservation of species diversity

Target 2.1: Restore, maintain, or reduce the decline of populations of species of selected taxonomic groups

Target 2.2: Status of threatened species improved.

Goal 3. Promote the conservation of  genetic diversity

Target 3.1:  Genetic diversity of crops, livestock, and of harvested species of trees, fish and wildlife and othervaluable species conserved, and associated indigenous and local knowledge maintained.

Promote sustainable use

Goal 4. Promote sustainable use and consumption.

Target 4.1: Biodiversity-based products derived from sources that are sustainably managed, andProduction areas managed consistent with the conservation of biodiversity.

Target 4.2 Unsustainable consumption, of biological resources, or that impacts upon biodiversity, reduced

Target 4.3:No species of wild flora or fauna endangered by international trade

Address threats to biodiversity

Goal 5. Pressures from habitat loss, land use change and degradation, and unsustainable water use, reduced.

Target 5.1: Rate of loss and degradation of natural habitats decreased

Goal 6. Control threats from invasive alien species

Target 6.1: Pathways for major potential alien invasive species controlled.

Target 6. 2: Management plans in place for major alien species that threaten ecosystems, habitats or species.

 Goal 7. Address challenges to biodiversity from climate change, and pollution

Target 7.1: Maintain and enhance resilience of the components of biodiversity to adapt to climate change

Target 7.2: Reduce pollution and its impacts on biodiversity

Maintain goods and services  from biodiversity to support human well-being

Goal 8. Maintain capacity of ecosystems to deliver goods and services and support livelihoods

Target 8.1: Capacity of ecosystems to deliver goods and services maintained.

Target 8.2: biological resources that support sustainable livelihoods, local food security and health care, especially of poor people maintained

Protect traditional knowledge, innovations and practices

Goal 9 Maintain socio-cultural diversity of indigenous and local communities

Target 9s.1 Protect  traditional knowledge, innovations and practices

Target 9.2: Protect the rights of indigenous and local communities over their  traditional knowledge, innovations and practices, including their rights to benefit sharing

Ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources

Goal 10. Ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources

Target 10.1: All transfers of genetic resources are in line with the Convention on Biological Diversity, the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and other applicable agreements.

Target 10.2: Benefits arising from the commercial and other utilization of genetic resources shared with the countries providing such resources

Ensure provision of adequate resources

Goal 11: Parties have improved financial, human, scientific, technical and technological capacity to implement the Convention [76]/

Target 11.1: New and additional financial resources are transferred to developing country Parties, to allow for the effective implementation of their commitments under the Convention, in accordance with Article 20.

Target 11.2: Technology is transferred to developing country Parties, to allow for the effective implementation of their commitments under the Convention, in accordance with its Article 20, paragraph 4.

Annex III

General Approach for the integration of targets into the programmes of work of the Convention

The following steps would be carried out: for each thematic programme of work, and for other programmes of work, as appropriate:

(a)  Vision, mission and outcome-oriented targets:

(i) Identification of the overall vision (or long-term goal) to be ultimately achieved for the biome/issue covered by the programme of work, consistent with the Purpose of the Strategic Plan;

(ii)  Identification of a 2010 outcome-oriented global target specific to the scope of the programme of work and consistent with the mission of the Strategic Plan;

(iii) Identification of a limited number of outcome-oriented targets related to the status and trends of biodiversity and its components, threats to biodiversity, and goods and services provided by biodiversity and ecosystems within the scope of the programme of work. Where appropriate, quantitative sub-targets should be established. The targets should be assigned to a number of goals according to the proposed headings in annex I above.  Where possible the sub-targets of annex II above should be incorporated into the work programmes without modification to avoid unnecessary proliferation of targets. Where appropriate, identification of targets could draw upon the approach used to develop the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation.  However, this process does not imply that all targets in annex I and the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation should be applied in every programme of work. Rather, targets may highlight broad strategic issues and/or particularly urgent priority issues, and each target should be associated with one or more indicators, which can draw upon existing data.

(b)  Relationship between the programme of work, its targets, and other processes:

(i) Examination of how the programme of work contributes to particular Millennium Development Goals and associated targets;

(ii)  A brief analysis of how the programme of work, and its targets, relates to the elements of the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, categorizing such elements as follows:

- Elements to be integrated into the programme of work (these elements should be fully within the scope of the programme of work), specifying which of these represent outcome-oriented biodiversity related targets;

- Elements which complement the goals of the programme of work; and

- Elements representing goals to which the programme of work contributes;

(iii) A brief analysis of how the programme of work, and its targets, relates to the objectives, plans and targets of other multilateral environmental agreements and other relevant agreements, using the same categorization as in subparagraph (b) (ii) above;

(c)  Intermediate output- or process-oriented targets, milestones and deadlines for the activities of the programme of work:  Identification of a number of process- or output-oriented targets, milestones and deadlines, relating to the specific objectives, programme elements, and/or activities of the programme of work, according to the structure and needs of each programme of work.

[75]/   These are:

Goal 1:  The Convention is fulfilling its leadership role in international biodiversity issues.

Goal 2:  Parties have improved financial, human, scientific, technical, and technological capacity  to implement the Convention.

Goal 3:  National biodiversity strategies and action plans and the integration of biodiversity concerns into relevant sectors serve as an effective framework for the implementation of the objectives of the Convention.

Goal 4:  There is a better understanding of the importance of biodiversity and of the Convention, and this has led to broader engagement across society in implementation.

[76]/ This is the existing goal 2 of the Strategic Plan of the Convention on Biological Diversity.