Decisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity relevant to the Protected Planet Initiative

The following is a list of the decisions and guidance adopted by the Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) relevant to the Protected Planet databases.

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF):

COP16/INF/3/Rev.1, 2024: Revised guidance on using the indicators of the monitoring framework of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.This document contains a summary of the methodology for the indicators of the KMGBF, including the computation methods, guidance on possible disaggregations, information on data compilation processes, available data sources, and additional references and guidance material. The Protected Planet databases are noted as the source of data for reporting data on “coverage of protected areas and OECMs” for the Headline Indicator for Target 3 of the KMGBF (Indicator 3.1). The disaggregation of this headline indicator “by level of effectiveness” is also recommended and the Global Database on Protected Areas Management Effectiveness (GD-PAME) provides the basis for calculating this disaggregation.

COP 15, DEC/15/4 and DEC/15/5, 2022: Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the Kunming-Montreal biodiversity package of decisions at the UN Biodiversity Conference (December 2022). These include the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to catalyse, enable, and galvanize urgent and transformative action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, to achieve the outcomes it sets out in its Vision, Mission, Goals, and Targets (see CBD/COP/DEC/15/4); and the associated global monitoring framework, which aims to provide consistent, standardized, and scalable tracking of the global Goals and Targets (see  CBD/COP/DEC/15/5).

Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 and the Aichi Targets:

COP 14 Decision 14/8, 2018 “Encourages Parties and invites other Governments, relevant organizations, in collaboration with indigenous peoples and local communities, to apply the scientific and technical advice on other effective area-based conservation measures contained in annex III [….] including by:

(a) Identifying other effective area-based conservation measures and their diverse options within their jurisdiction;

(b) Submitting data on other effective area-based conservation measures to the United Nations Environment Programme’s World Conservation Monitoring Centre for inclusion in the World Database on Protected Areas”

COP 13 Decision XIII/2, 2016 “Invites the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre to work with Parties and other Governments to update the World Database on Protected Areas and also to contribute to the assessment of progress in the implementation of Aichi Biodiversity Target 11".

COP 11 Decision XI/24, 2012 “Invites the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre and its partners, including the World Commission on Protected Areas of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), to continue to report progress towards achieving Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 and related targets through the Protected Planet Report".

COP 10 Decision X/31, 2010 “The COP... invites Parties, taking into account the target for goal 1.4 of the programme of work, which calls for all protected areas to have effective management in existence by 2012 using participatory and science-based site planning processes with full and effective participation of stakeholders, and noting that to assess the effectiveness of the management, specific indicators may also be needed to: (a) Continue to expand and institutionalize management effectiveness assessments to work towards assessing 60 per cent of the total area of protected areas by 2015 using various national and regional tools and report the results into the global database on management effectiveness maintained by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP WCMC)"

COP 10 Decision X/31, 2010 “Encourages Parties to share and update relevant information on their protected areas system with the World Database on Protected Areas"

COP 9 Decision IX/18, 2008 “Encourages Parties to develop national or regional data networks in order to facilitate the exchange of, and access to information..., including providing information to the WDPA"

COP 8 Decision VIII/24, 2006 “Notes the importance of the World Database on Protected Areas as a tool to assist the monitoring of progress towards achieving the targets of the Programme of Work on Protected Areas, and invites the World Conservation Monitoring Centre of the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Commission on Protected Areas of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and their collaborators to further develop access to the database and information management including tools for data sharing and exchange."

COP 7 Decision VII/28, 2004 “Invites the World Conservation Monitoring Centre of the United Nations Environment Programme, working with international organizations, to further develop the World Database on Protected Areas in order to assist the monitoring towards the overall objective of the decision on protected areas, and urges Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations to provide up-to-date information for the database." [This is further elaborated in the annexed Programme of Work on Protected Areas].