Opportunity for Civil Society: Contribute to the Global Biodiversity Framework

In 2022, 195 countries and the EU agreed on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, paving the way towards taking urgent action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and set nature on the path to recovery. In February 2028, these countries will submit a national report to the Convention on Biological Diversity, summarizing their progress towards achieving the 4 goals for 2050 and the 23 targets for 2030 defined by the Framework. Civil society organizations and lower levels of government, like municipalities, have the opportunity to also submit a Non-State Actor report and contribute to the global assessment of the progress, the Global Review Report.

Submitting a Non-State Actor report to the Convention on Biological Diversity ensures that what you do, or are doing, is reflected in the Global Review Report on collective progress. The Global Review Report will inform decisions at the next Conference of the Parties. The report will provide details on the challenges to progress with the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and how to address them. Parties then need to take action on challenges gaps and opportunities that have been identified.

A Non-State Actor report aligns field evidence and practice-based examples of conservation efforts by citizen science and community-based monitoring practitioners with the government’s targets and their headline and binary indicators. It supports inclusive reporting reflecting diverse voices. Moreover, a Non-State Actor report encourages open discussion of challenges and lessons learned. It strengthens long-term engagement with governments. Note that all these good reasons for contributing are very well aligned with the aims of most environmental citizen science programmes!

Find below some relevant information on how to contribute with a Non-State Actor report to the Convention on Biological Diversity by February 2028. This compilation has been prepared after contacting people who are familiar with the process as part of our activities in the EU-funded more4nature project.

The Civil Society report should be inserted in the Online Reporting Tool of the Convention on Biological Diversity. An account is needed and can be created following this link.

What is the report supposed to contain?

Civil society organisations should produce short, verifiable, evidence-based content that is aligned with the national or global targets and are easy to be picked and used in the Global Review Report. This could be case studies, stories of change, data, but also challenges, opportunities, gaps, and innovative solutions. 

What is the commitment?

Voluntary, forward-looking pledge, registered in a standard format, where a civil society organisation explains what they will or continue to do, by when, with what indicator, and how it contributes to specific Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework or national targets. 

What are the risks?

In case an insufficient number of countries or content are submitted, this would risk providing an inadequate picture of global progress. This would be a missed opportunity. Non-State Actor reporting could to some degree alleviate this.

How to boost national advocacy impact?

For maximum impact, and given the short timeframe, we recommend working jointly with other civil society organisations through collaborations. If possible, facilitate dialogues and direct engagement with government officials and representatives of local communities.

How can I connect national-to-global advocacy?

Even if your content doesn’t make it to the Global Review Report, it is worth using the Non-State Actor report route to mobilise civil society and ensure ongoing engagement with national governments.