19 Dec 2022

By Francis Vorhies

After many, many months of consultations and negotiations, the 15th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) has agreed on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). There is much in the GBF which supports the development of the wildlife economy in Africa including the following highlights:

Biodiversity is fundamental to human well-being… and economic prosperity for all people… we depend on it for food, medicine, energy, clean air and water, security from natural disasters as well as recreation and cultural inspiration…

GOAL B Biodiversity is sustainably used and managed and nature’s contributions to people, including ecosystem functions and services, are valued, maintained and enhanced, with those currently in decline being restored, supporting the achievement of sustainable development…

1. Reducing threats to biodiversity

TARGET 3 Ensure and enable that by 2030 at least 30 per cent of terrestrial, inland water, and of coastal and marine areas…  while ensuring that any sustainable use, where appropriate in such areas, is fully consistent with conservation outcomes…

TARGET 5 Ensure that the use, harvesting and trade of wild species is sustainable, safe and legal, preventing overexploitation, minimizing impacts on non-target species and ecosystems…

2. Meeting people’s needs through sustainable use and benefit-sharing

TARGET 9 Ensure that the management and use of wild species are sustainable, thereby providing social, economic and environmental benefits for people… including through sustainable biodiversity-based activities, products and services…

TARGET 10 Ensure that areas under agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry are managed sustainably, in particular through the sustainable use of biodiversity… conserving and restoring biodiversity and maintaining nature’s contributions to people, including ecosystem functions and services.

3. Tools and solutions for implementation and mainstreaming

TARGET 16 Ensure that people are encouraged and enabled to make sustainable consumption choices…

TARGET 18 Identify by 2025, and eliminate, phase out or reform incentives… starting with the most harmful incentives, and scale up positive incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

2022 comes to a close with promising new international policies for conservation and development linking landscapes and livelihoods through inclusive and sustainable wildlife enterprise and trade. Most importantly, the GBF provides a global framework in support of Africa’s Agenda 2063 and its wildlife economy aspirations, notably:

We aspire that by 2063, Africa shall be a prosperous continent, with the means and resources to drive its own development, with sustainable and long-term stewardship of its resources and where...

Africa’s unique natural endowments, its environment and ecosystems, including its wildlife and wild lands are healthy, valued and protected, with climate resilient economies and communities.

In 2023, expect to see an increased interest across Africa in restoring landscapes and enhancing livelihoods through the development of wildlife enterprises and intra-Africa trade in wildlife products. Africa is well placed to catalyse transformative action that ensures that biodiversity supports economic prosperity for all.

Francis Vorhies, AWEI Director, WildCRU Research Visitor, IUCN SULi Member