Title
Setting robust biodiversity goals
Author(s)
Maron, Martine; Juffe-Bignoli, Diego; Krueger, Linda; Kiesecker, Joseph; Kümpel, Noëlle F.; ten Kate, Kerry; Milner-Gulland, E.J.; Arlidge, William N. S.; Booth, Hollie; Bull, Joseph W.; Starkey, Malcolm; Ekstrom, Jonathan M.; Strassburg, Bernardo; Verburg, Peter H.; Watson, James E. M.
Published
2021
Publisher
Conservation Letters
Abstract
The new global biodiversity framework (GBF) being developed under the Convention on Biological Diversity must drive action to reverse the ongoing decline of the Earth's biodiversity. Explicit, measurable goals that specify the outcomes we want to achieve are needed to set the course for this action. However, the current draft goals and targets fail to set out these clear outcomes. We argue that distinct outcome goals for species, ecosystems, and genetic diversity are essential and should specify net outcomes required for each. Net outcome goals such as “no net loss” do, however, have a controversial history, and loose specification can lead to perverse outcomes. We outline seven general principles to underpin net outcome goal setting that minimize risk of such perverse outcomes. Finally, we recommend inclusion of statements of impact in action targets that support biodiversity goals, and we illustrate the importance of this with an example from the draft GBF action targets. These modifications would help reveal the specific contribution each action would make to achieving the outcome goals and provide clarity on whether the successful achievement of action targets would be adequate to achieve the outcome goals and, in turn, the 2050 vision: living in harmony with nature.
Keywords
conservation policy; conservation targets; Convention on Biological Diversity; ecosystem collapse; global biodiversity framework; national commitments; net gain; no net loss; perverse outcomes; species extinction
Access Full Text
A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the WCS Library to request.
![]()
Back
PUB26449