Integration of outcome-oriented targets into the programmes of work of the Convention, taking into account the 2010 biodiversity target, the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, and relevant targets set by the World Summit on Sustainable Development
The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice,
Recalling decisions VI/26, on the Strategic Plan of the Convention, and VI/9, on the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, of the Conference of the Parties and taking into account recommendations 1, on analysis of the outcome of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, and 2, on implementation of the Convention and the Strategic Plan, of the Inter-Sessional Meeting on the Multi-Year Programme of Work of the Conference of the Parties up to 2010 and recommendations VIII/2, on the programme of work on the biodiversity of inland waters ecosystems and VIII/3, on marine and coastal biodiversity, of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice,
Welcoming the report of the London meeting "2010 - the Global Biodiversity Challenge" (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/9/INF/9),
Noting that for the purpose of monitoring progress towards the 2010 target, and building upon the outcome of
the London Meeting, biodiversity loss can be defined as "the long-term reduction of abundance and/or distribution of species; ecosystems; genes; and/or the ecosystem goods and services they provide",
Welcoming the initiatives taken under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals that contribute to promoting and assessing progress towards the 2010 target,
Noting the linkages between the 2010 biodiversity target and the Millennium Development Goals,
The 2010 target and the Millennium Development Goals
1. Recommends that the Conference of the Parties at its seventh meeting requests the Executive Secretary:
(a)
To work closely with the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Millennium Project of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and others to find ways to more effectively communicate the importance of biodiversity in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, and to identify and communicate the relationship between biodiversity and human development targets at all levels;
(b)
To explore with the Secretary General of the United Nations, the opportunity to establish the 2010 target as an interim milestone in achieving the Millennium Development Goal 7 of ensuring environmental sustainability by 2015; and
(c)
To work closely with the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Millennium Project of the Secretary General of the United Nations and others to find ways to use the 2010 targets and indicators to help achieve target 9 (to "reverse the loss of environmental resources") of Millennium Development Goal 7 (to "ensure environmental sustainability"), and other relevant Millennium Development Goals;
Assessing progress towards the 2010 target
2. Recommends that the Conference of the Parties at its seventh meeting:
(a)
Considers the establishment of a small number of global goals, each with one or two targets, in order to assess progress towards the 2010 global biodiversity target adopted by decision VI/26. Such goals should complement the existing goals of the Strategic Plan and be focused on:
(i) Reducing the rate of loss of the components of biodiversity, including: (a) biomes, habitats and ecosystems; (b) species and populations and; (c) genetic diversity;
(ii) Addressing the major threats to biodiversity, including those arising from: invasive alien species; unsustainable use; climate change; pollution; and habitat change;
(iii) Maintaining and enhancing goods and services provided by biodiversity in ecosystems, including biological resources that support livelihoods, food security and health, and protecting associated traditional knowledge, innovations and practices;
(iv) Ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources;
(b)
In order to assess progress towards the targets, agrees that a limited number of trial indicators adapted or derived from the report of the London meeting (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/9/INF/9), the note by the Executive Secretary on proposed biodiversity indicators relevant to the 2010 target (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/9/INF/26) and the note by the Executive Secretary on using existing processes as building blocks in reporting on the 2010 target (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/9/INF/27), for which data are available from existing sources, be developed, tested and reviewed by SBSTTA prior to the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties. These global-level indicators should be selected to communicate effectively trends in biodiversity status and the impacts on ecosystem goods and services, and human well-being, during the present decade. As far as is feasible, the targets and indicators that are applicable at the global level should be developed in such as way that the same targets and indicators may be used at the regional, national and local levels as tools for the implementation of national biodiversity strategies and action plans, where so desired by Parties. Indicators for the following should be tested immediately:
(i) Trends in extent of selected biomes, ecosystems and habitats;
(ii) Trends in abundance and distribution of selected species;
(iii) Change in status of threatened species;
(iv) Trends in genetic diversity of domesticated animals, cultivated plants, and fish species of major socioeconomic importance;
(v) Coverage of protected areas
Indicators for the following should be developed:
(vi) Threats to biodiversity;
(vii) Ecosystem goods and services; and
(viii) Equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources;
(c)
Emphasizes that the goals and targets referred to in 2 (a) 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;
(d) 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;
(e) 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;
(f) Examines the need for adequate and timely support from the financial mechanism, and other funding organizations for developing country Parties, in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States among them, and Parties with economies in transition, as appropriate, for the implementation of activities to achieve and monitor progress towards the goals and targets;
(g) Invites related conventions, assessment processes and relevant organizations to contribute reports and information that assist the monitoring of progress towards the 2010 targets;
(h) Requests the Executive Secretary:
(i) In cooperation with other relevant organizations and agencies, and taking into account further advice to be provided by the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice at its tenth or eleventh meeting, to make use of these goals, targets and indicators, in reports analysing progress towards the 2010 target, including through periodic issues of the Global Biodiversity Outlook;
(ii) 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;
(i) Invites the World Conservation Monitoring Centre of the United Nations Environment Programme to support the Secretariat in facilitating and coordinating the compilation of information necessary for reporting on achievement on the 2010 target;
3. Requests the Executive Secretary to prepare a background paper to assist the Conference of the Parties in the tasks indicated in paragraphs 2 (a) and (b) of the present decision;
Integration of targets into the programmes of work of the Convention
4. Welcomes the approach for integrating targets in the programmes of work outlined in section II C of the note by the Executive Secretary on the integration of outcome-oriented targets into the work of the Convention (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/9/14), by which a small number of outcome-oriented targets may be complemented by process-oriented targets, milestones and deadlines, as appropriate, and commends this approach for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its seventh meeting;
5. Notes the proposals for the integration of targets in the programmes of work on the biodiversity of inland waters and biodiversity of marine and coastal areas contained in the notes by the Executive Secretary on the subject (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/9/14/Add.1 and 3), and requests the Executive Secretary to further refine the proposals, for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its seventh meeting, on the basis of the comments made by Parties at the ninth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, or provided to the Executive Secretary no later than 21 November 2003, taking into account, the following points:
(a) The targets should be challenging but realistic, recognizing the constraints of Parties, especially developing countries, particularly the least developed countries and small island developing States among them, and countries with economies in transition;
(b) The global targets should be considered as a flexible framework, and their achievement will require additional financial and technical resources especially for developing countries, particularly the least developed countries and small island developing States among them, and countries with economies in transition (as set out in paragraphs 2 (c)-(f), above);
(c) The total number of goals and targets should be manageable and developed as part of a strategic and coherent approach for all programmes of the Convention;
(d) The development of goals, targets and subsequent identification of indicators should draw upon existing initiatives and those under development in other conventions and organizations;
(e) Indicators should preferably be outcome oriented and be identified or developed consistent with the approach set out in paragraph 2 (b) above, taking into account the approaches taken and examples provided in the note by the Executive Secretary on designing national-level monitoring programmes and indicators (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/9/10), the report of the London meeting (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/9/INF/9), the note by the Executive Secretary on proposed biodiversity indicators relevant to the 2010 target (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/9/INF/26) and the note by the Executive Secretary on using existing processes as building blocks in reporting on the 2010 target (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/9/INF/27), and other relevant sources;
(f) Legal implications in relation to the mandate of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the mandate of other relevant multilateral agreements.
