Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) 2010 Target

In 2002 a target to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss was adopted by Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and agreed by the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). The target agreed was “to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on earth”.

In 2004 a framework of goals, sub-targets and indicators was adopted by the CBD to support the 2010 target. The framework relates the main target to seven focal areas of the Convention. They are:

Status and trends of biodiversity
Threats to biodiversity
Ecosystem services
Sustainable use
Access and benefit sharing
Resource transfer
Traditional knowledge

In the EU, the target of halting biodiversity decline by 2010 was adopted in 2001, with subsidiary goals, targets and indicators agreed in the EC Biodiversity Communication in 2006. So, both the global and EU high-level targets are backed up by more specific goals and targets to direct actions and indicators to assess progress.

In the UK, indicators have been developed for the whole of the UK and for each country using the CBD framework. The indicators are used to assess progress towards the target and draw in evidence of gains won through biodiversity strategies, protected area networks, tackling environmental pressures and raising awareness.

The JNCC contributes in many ways. Our international role involves taking part in negotiations about tackling the global issues blocking progress, providing the UK contribution to the CBD’s Global Biodiversity Outlook report and working on a successor to the 2010 target. Similar work is undertaken at a European level.

At a UK level nearly all of JNCC’s advice, evidence and standards work helps in some way to reduce biodiversity loss. New country biodiversity strategies and the supporting UK biodiversity role take a broad ecosystem-based approach to conservation. As a result it provides a useful framework for relating biodiversity conservation effort here in the UK to global and European targets.