The recently adopted Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) calls for a global effort to conserve and restore our planet’s ecosystems. To effectively track progress, the Biodiversa+ Science-Policy Forum in Tallinn (16 April 2024) focused on defining the current state of biodiversity monitoring across different scales, from global to regional. It provided a platform for dialogue between knowledge holders/providers and policy communities on “how to strengthen and harmonise biodiversity monitoring across scales in support of the Global Biodiversity Framework”.
Aligning with the GBF
- Moderated by Hanna Zetterberg, the Forum opened with a welcome and introduction by Magnus Tannerfeldt, one of the Biodiversa+ co-chairs.
- Jillian Campbell, representing the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), gave an overview of the KMGBF monitoring framework, and highlighted the importance of aligning targets and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) with headline indicators. A series of webinars will provide more insights into the monitoring framework.
- Léa Riera and Marie Pierrel, from the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB), showcased Biodiversa+’s efforts in promoting transnational monitoring and bridging the gap between research and policy, with a particular focus on its pilot projects.
- Ian McCallum, from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), presented the EU Biodiversity Observation Coordination Centre (EBOCC), designed to streamline data collection, modelling, and knowledge-building for consistent reporting on European biodiversity trends. More will be shared about the EBOCC at the EuropaBON final stakeholder conference.
- Matea Vukelic, from the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP WCMC) reviewed the development status of headline indicators and provided insights on the need to address capacity gaps for good implementation. She highlighted initiatives such as CO-OP4CBD and the Biodiversity Indicators Partnership that help translate and implement the KMGBF monitoring framework at various levels.
- Representing the European Commission, Bastian Bertzky and Caroline Pottier examined the role of the European Union in supporting harmonisation through policies, research funding, and capacity building. They delved further into the EU proposal for a regulation on a monitoring framework for resilient European forests.
Sharing expertise and challenges
- This was followed by two lively panel discussions. In the first, experts from national biodiversity monitoring programmes shared their experiences and challenges. Panelists included Ian McCallum (IIASA), Julia Seeber (Eurac Research), Léa Riera (OFB) and Abdelouahid Ezzarfi (Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation). They discussed the integration of monitoring with cutting-edge research and highlighted coordination obstacles.
- The second panel brought together researchers from projects funded by Biodiversa+. Florian Schneider (Institute for Social-Ecological Research), Benjamin Cretois (Norwegian Institute for Nature Research), Martin Potthof (University of Göttingen), Brett K. Sandercock (Norwegian Institute for Nature Research), and Frédéric Lemaître (Biodiversa+) discussed how their projects contribute to increased monitoring capacities and knowledge, ultimately informing policy decisions with Biodiversa+ support.
With over 230 participants online and in person, the Forum fostered a collaborative spirit. Following the Forum, the kick-off meeting of the 33 Biodiversa+ projects on 17 April marked a significant step towards achieving the goals of the KMGBF.
