The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is the international legal instrument for the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.  It has been ratified by 196 nations, including the UK.

In December 2022, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was adopted by the 15th Conference of Parties to the CBD.  The GBF sets out 23 action-oriented targets for the global community that are designed to reduce threats to biodiversity, meet people’s needs through sustainable use and benefit-sharing and provide tools and solutions for implementation and mainstreaming.  Target 6, below, is the main target relating to invasive species.

GBF Target 6

Eliminate, minimize, reduce and or mitigate the impacts of invasive alien species on biodiversity and ecosystem services by identifying and managing pathways of the introduction of alien species, preventing the introduction and establishment of priority invasive alien species, reducing the rates of introduction and establishment of other known or potential invasive alien species by at least 50 per cent by 2030, and eradicating or controlling invasive alien species, especially in priority sites, such as islands.

Useful links related to GBF Target 6

• Guidance notes provided by the CBD Secretariat.