The importance of landscape, seascape, and ecological connectivity conservation is increasingly recognized by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Ecological connectivity is a key element of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) adopted in 2022, and the upcoming CBD 16th Conference of the Parties (CoP-16) will bring more focus to implementation, including alignment of national strategies and action plans, refining the monitoring framework, and mobilizing resources. This summary is intended to provide insights into ongoing efforts and opportunities for advancing ecological connectivity conservation during CBD/CoP-16 from 21 October-1 November in Cali, Colombia.

Background: Connectivity in the KMGBF

As part of the historic commitments made at CBD/CoP-15, the KMGBF goals and targets related to ecological connectivity include:

  • Goal A: As a fundamental requirement for the functionality of ecosystems;
  • Target 1: As a key criterion for achieving “participatory, integrated and biodiversity inclusive spatial planning”;
  • Target 2: As part of maximizing the benefits and outcomes of restoration for entire landscapes and seascapes;
  • Target 3: As crucial to achieving “well-connected” protected and conserved areas to achieve 30×30 objectives;
  • Target 12: As important for increasing benefits from “green and blue spaces” in urban and densely populated areas; and
  • Target 14: As part of contributing toward “the full integration of biodiversity and its multiple values […] within and across all levels of government and across all sectors.”

Opportunities for More Progress

1. Consider opportunities for disaggregating connectivity-related headline indicators for Goal A and Target 3 as part of consideration of Agenda Item 10 “Mechanisms for planning, monitoring, reporting and review” concerning the monitoring framework

An information note led by Center for Large Landscape Conservation (CLLC) and IUCN WCPA Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group recommends that to best address identified gaps related to connectivity in the monitoring framework, Parties adopt the following disaggregations:

  • The current headline indicator “A.2 Extent of natural ecosystems” also be disaggregated “By level of connectivity”; and
  • The current headline indicator “3.1 Coverage of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures” be disaggregated “By level of connectivity”.

2. Consider including a “binary indicator” for Target 3 as part of consideration of Agenda Item 10 “Mechanisms for planning, monitoring, reporting and review” concerning the monitoring framework

Binary indicators for the KMGBF are intended to be global-level indicators collated from binary “yes/no” responses in national reporting and would provide a count of the number of countries that have undertaken specific activities. To enhance reporting on the “well-connected” element of Target 3, it is recommended that Parties include the following language in the related decision:

Binary indicator: 3.1 Does your country have measures in place for ecological corridors that link networks or systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), and unprotected habitat to effectively conserve well-connected lands and waters for the movement of species, connection of habitats, and flow of natural processes? (a) No, (b) Under development, (c) Partially, (d) Fully.

3. Increase awareness of examples and guidance for actions that can be taken for each connectivity-related goal and target of the KMGBF

Countries, communities, and institutions around the world are committed to maintaining, enhancing, and restoring ecological connectivity to more comprehensively stop fragmentation, reverse biodiversity loss, and increase resilience to climate change. To achieve their objectives, there is a growing body and diversity of law, policy, plans, projects, and guidance that can inspire and inform activities. Sources of information include:

4. Continue integrating connectivity conservation in National Biodiversity and Strategic Action Plans (NBSAPs)

As of 25 September 2024, 20 countries and the European Union have submitted revised or updated NBSAPs since adoption of the KMGBF in 2022. Many of these submissions contain the terms “ecological connectivity”, “ecological corridors”, or “ecological networks” and/or specific objectives for maintaining, enhancing, and restoring connectivity, including through avoidance and mitigation of the impacts of linear infrastructure. Sources of information include:

5. Utilize existing component and complimentary indicators of connectivity included in the KMGBF for measuring and monitoring progress

Version 1.0: Practical Guidance on Indicators of Connectivity for the KMGBF is a new source of information providing summaries of identified and relevant indicators. It provides technical information about what each indicator measures, the resources necessary, their usability and applicability, and key aspects for understanding the advantages and disadvantages that are goal, purpose, scale, and data dependent.