Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: The 30×30 Target and Global Biodiversity Governance
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) is a landmark international agreement adopted at the 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in December 2022, in Montreal, Canada. Often described as the “Paris Agreement for Nature,” it represents humanity’s most ambitious multilateral commitment to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by 2030. The framework was adopted under China’s COP presidency, with the process having begun in Kunming — hence the dual naming.
The KM-GBF was adopted by 196 nation-states party to the CBD. It comprises four long-term Goals (to be achieved by 2050) and 23 action-oriented Targets (to be achieved by 2030). The centrepiece of the Framework is Target 3, commonly known as the “30x30” target, which calls for the effective protection and conservation of at least 30% of the world’s terrestrial, inland water, coastal, and marine areas by 2030. The Framework also establishes ambitious biodiversity finance targets, calls for the reform of harmful subsidies, and recognises the rights and roles of Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) as custodians of nature.
📌 Revision Pointers
Adopted at CBD COP15, December 2022, Montreal, Canada; under China’s Presidency (COP began in Kunming, October 2021)
196 nation-states are parties; the KM-GBF is non-binding in nature (voluntary commitments)
Structure: 4 long-term Goals (2050) + 23 action Targets (2030)
Target 3 = 30x30: Protect 30% of land, freshwater, coastal and marine areas by 2030
Called the “Paris Agreement for Nature” — analogous to the Paris Agreement on climate change
Previous framework: Aichi Targets (2011–2020) under the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity — most failed
Target 18: Phase out harmful subsidies by USD 500 billion/year by 2030
Target 19: Mobilise USD 200 billion/year for biodiversity from all sources by 2030
India’s obligation: Revise and submit National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)
India’s current protected area coverage: approximately 5% of geographic area
Background and Context
Biodiversity loss has accelerated to an unprecedented rate. The IPBES Global Assessment (2019) found that approximately 1 million species face extinction, many within decades. The main drivers are land-use change, overexploitation, climate change, pollution, and invasive species. The previous Aichi Biodiversity Targets (2011–2020) largely failed — only 6 of 20 targets were partially met. This failure underscored the need for a more ambitious, well-monitored, and financially backed global framework.
COP15 and the Adoption Process
CBD COP15 was held in two phases due to COVID-19 disruptions: the first part (online) in Kunming, China (October 2021), and the second part in Montreal, Canada (December 7–19, 2022). The negotiations were difficult, particularly around biodiversity finance and the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The final adoption on December 19, 2022 was accompanied by a walkout by the Democratic Republic of Congo delegation over financial concerns, though the framework was ultimately gavel-adopted.
Four Long-Term Goals (by 2050)
Goal A: Halt human-induced extinction of known threatened species and reduce extinction rates tenfold; improve the recovery of wild species.
Goal B: Protect, restore, and sustainably manage at least 30% of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems.
Goal C: Ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from utilisation of genetic resources.
Goal D: Close the biodiversity finance gap; reduce harmful subsidies; ensure equitable governance with respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Key Targets (2030)
Target 1: Spatial planning to reduce land-use change and retain areas of high biodiversity value.
Target 2: Restore at least 30% of degraded terrestrial, inland water, coastal, and marine ecosystems.
Target 3 (30x30): Protect at least 30% of terrestrial, inland water, coastal, and marine areas through ecologically representative, well-connected, and equitably governed systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs).
Target 4: Halt and reverse species extinction; halve invasive alien species introduction rates; prevent genetic erosion.
Target 15: Require large and transnational companies to monitor, assess, and disclose biodiversity risks.
Target 18: Phase out or reform incentives harmful to biodiversity by at least USD 500 billion per year by 2030.
Target 19: Mobilise at least USD 200 billion per year from all sources for biodiversity by 2030; increase international finance flows to developing countries to at least USD 20 billion/year by 2025 and USD 30 billion/year by 2030.
Important Concepts / Subtopics
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
The CBD is the parent treaty under which the KM-GBF operates. Adopted at the Rio Earth Summit (1992), it has three pillars: conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. The Nagoya Protocol (2010) is a supplementary agreement under the CBD governing Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS).
Aichi Biodiversity Targets
The predecessor to the KM-GBF, comprising 20 targets under 5 strategic goals for the period 2011–2020. The failure to achieve most Aichi targets — particularly Target 11 (protect 17% land, 10% ocean) and Target 20 (biodiversity finance) — informed the more structured and ambitious design of the KM-GBF.
30x30 and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs)
Target 3 counts not just formally gazetted protected areas but also OECMs — geographically defined areas governed and managed to achieve positive long-term biodiversity outcomes. This is significant because OECMs can include community forests, sacred groves, military lands, and privately managed conservation areas, greatly expanding the toolkit for reaching 30%.
Biodiversity Finance Gap
Current global spending on biodiversity is estimated at USD 78–143 billion/year, while the need is USD 722–967 billion/year. Harmful subsidies (to agriculture, fisheries, fossil fuels) amount to over USD 500 billion/year globally, dwarfing conservation spending. Target 18 and Target 19 together aim to simultaneously reduce harmful subsidies and increase conservation finance.
Kunming Biodiversity Fund
China announced a voluntary Kunming Biodiversity Fund of USD 233 million at COP15 to support biodiversity efforts in developing countries, complementing the Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) Global Biodiversity Framework Fund established at COP15.
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)
Each CBD party must revise its NBSAP to reflect KM-GBF commitments and submit it to the CBD Secretariat. India submitted its revised NBSAP for 2031–2040 in 2023. NBSAPs translate global targets into nationally appropriate actions.
Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities
The KM-GBF explicitly recognises that 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity is found in territories managed by IPLCs. Target 22 calls for the full and equitable participation of IPLCs in biodiversity governance. This is a significant normative advance from the Aichi Targets.
Current Relevance
India is a megadiverse country, hosting 7–10% of the world’s biodiversity with only 2.4% of the Earth’s land area. Yet its formal protected area network covers only about 5% of the geographic area, far short of the 30x30 target. Expanding coverage will require recognition of community reserves, conservation reserves, and OECMs.
COP16 (2024, Cali, Colombia) reviewed the first round of revised NBSAPs and assessed early implementation progress. Global progress remains insufficient, with most countries having not yet submitted revised NBSAPs.
India’s challenge also includes reforming agricultural subsidies (fertiliser, power, water) that incentivise biodiversity-harmful practices, alongside meeting Target 3’s 30x30 commitment.
💭 Conclusion
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework marks a historic political commitment to reverse biodiversity loss. Its 30x30 target is the most widely recognised outcome, but the framework’s ambition extends across finance, harmful subsidies, business accountability, and the rights of indigenous peoples. For India, the KM-GBF presents both a challenge — expanding conservation coverage, reforming subsidies, and mobilising finance — and an opportunity to lead as a megadiverse developing nation at the forefront of biodiversity governance.