February 2017: A series of recently released publications draws attention to the contribution of biodiversity to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda), further highlighting the potential of national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs) and synergies among biodiversity-related conventions to enhance implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Aichi Targets.

Titled ‘Biodiversity and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,’ a policy brief published by UN Environment, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), the World Bank and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), provides illustrative examples of how biodiversity can play an essential role in efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs. It presents a mapping of the linkages between the SDGs and the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Intended to help decision-makers and development professionals, the publication is accompanied by a technical note providing details on the linkages between biodiversity and each of the SDGs. [Policy Brief] [Technical Note]

Two other publications emphasize the role of NBSAPs in implementing the SDGs. A report published by UNDP and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs titled ‘National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans: Natural Catalysts for Accelerating Action on Sustainable Development Goals’ explores the relationship between NBSAPs and the SDGs. The report proposes a two-part taxonomy to describe more than 6,000 actions from 60 countries found within the NBSAPs. The purpose of the analysis is to systematically understand the breadth and depth of actions proposed across all NBSAPs and propose a common framework for analysis in order to understand their relationship with the SDGs. It shows that the impact of NBSAP actions extends far beyond SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), illustrating how a single action can contribute to multiple goals. The actions included across all NBSAPs, if implemented, would catalyze progress in national food security, water security, livelihoods, economic growth, disaster risk reduction, health, gender, and climate resilience, among other goals. The recommendations included at the end of the report highlight the potential need for targeted support to countries to implement key thematic areas. [Publication: National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans: Natural Catalysts for Accelerating Action on Sustainable Development Goals]

A UN Environment study on ‘Strengthening the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans: Revision and Implementation’ highlights the opportunity offered by the NBSAP revision and implementation processes to effectively consider the linkages among key biodiversity conventions for the effective achievement of national, regional and global biodiversity objectives. It is meant to support national focal points, providing options for integrating the objectives, targets, and implementation plans of all the biodiversity-related conventions in a mutually supportive manner. It provides an overview of how each convention relates to the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi targets, and highlights relevant guidance provided by the key biodiversity conventions: the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the World Heritage Convention, the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR), and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). [Publication: Strengthening the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans: Revision and Implementation]

Enhancing synergies and cooperation among the biodiversity-related conventions is the focus of another UN Environment publication, titled ‘Enhancing Synergies across Global Biodiversity Conventions – Experiences from the Global South.’ Published with additional support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment, the report illustrates the topic of synergies with developing country case studies presented at a workshop on NBSAPs and synergies among biodiversity conventions held from 15-17 March 2016, in Nairobi, Kenya. The workshop brought together national focal points, government representatives and biodiversity experts from countries in the African, Caribbean, Latin America and Pacific regions in a knowledge and experience-sharing exercise. [Publication: Enhancing Synergies across Global Biodiversity Conventions – Experiences from the Global South]