Role of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (Meas) in Achieving The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS)

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Role of Multilateral
Environmental Agreements
(MEAs) in achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs)
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Publication: Role of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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Author: Balakrishna Pisupati, UNEP/DELC
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U NE P
Role of the multilateral environmental agreements in achieving the Sustainable

Development Goals
With a special focus on biodiversity-related multilateral environmental agreements
Rôle des accords multilatéraux sur l’environnement dans la réalisation

des objectifs de développement durable
En s’attachant particulièrement aux accords multilatéraux sur l’environnement relatifs à la
biodiversité
El papel de los acuerdos ambientales multilaterales en los esfuerzos por lograr los
Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS)con especial atención en los acuerdos
ambientales multilateralesrelativos a la diversidad biológica
Роль многосторонних природоохранных соглашений (МПС) в достижении

Целей в области устойчивого развития (ЦУР)
С особым акцентом на МПС, связанные с биоразнообразием
多边环境协定为实现可持续发展目标所发挥的作用
特别关注生物多样性领域的多边环境协定
‫دور االتفاقيات البيئية المتعددة أ‬
‫الطراف تجاه تحقيق أهداف التنمية المستدامة‬
‫ك� بشكل خاص عىل االتفاقيات البيئية المتعددة أ‬
‫الطراف ذات الصلة بالتنوع البيولوجي‬ ‫مع ت‬
‫ال� ي ز‬
Contributions of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) towards achieving the Strategic Plan of Biodiversity (2011-2020) and the Aichi biodiversity targets
2
Table of Contents
Executive summary 4
Résumé analytique 4
Resumen ejecutivo 5
Резюме 5
执行摘要 6
6 ‫موجز تنفيذي‬
I. Introduction 7
II. Multilateral environmental agreements 8
III. Role and relevance of multilateral environmental agreements in

achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 9
IV. The indicators for Sustainable Development Goals and the

biodiversity related conventions 13
V. Focusing on biodiversity-related multilateral environmental

agreements and the Sustainable Development Goals 14
VI. Indicators for measuring action on Goals 14 and 15 16
VII. Future Steps 37
VIII. Need for synergies among biodiversity-related multilateral environmental

agreements 37
IX. Contributing to the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 38
X. Conclusions 39
3
Executive summary Résumé analytique

Discussions related to realizing the Sustainable Les discussions concernant la réalisation
Development Goals have now shifted des objectifs de développement durable se
to developing appropriate indicators for polarisent actuellement sur l’élaboration
measuring progress in implementation at the d’indicateurs appropriés pour mesurer les
national, regional and global levels. The role progrès accomplis en matière de mise en œuvre
and relevance of multilateral environmental aux niveaux mondial, régional et national. Le
agreements in achieving the Sustainable rôle et l’importance des accords multilatéraux
Development Goals have long been recognized. sur l’environnement (AME) dans la réalisation
However, current discussions in developing des objectifs de développement durable sont
the Sustainable Development Goal indicators reconnus depuis longtemps. Cependant,
seem to be challenged by appropriateness les discussions en cours sur l’élaboration
of data and information emanating from the des indicateurs relatifs aux objectifs de
implementation of multilateral environmental développement durable semblent s’enliser dans
agreements. The present paper outlines the links la question de la pertinence des données et des
between the Sustainable Development Goals informations émanant de la mise en œuvre des
and multilateral environmental agreements in AME. Le présent document esquisse les liens
general and biodiversity-related multilateral entre les AME et les objectifs de développement
environmental agreements in particular, with durable en général et les AME relatifs à la
a special focus on Sustainable Development biodiversité en particulier, en tenant compte des
Goal targets and indicators in an attempt to problématiques liées aux cibles et indicateurs
inform discussions within the Inter-Agency and des objectifs de développement durable. Il
Expert Group on Sustainable Development analyse les enjeux et les possibilités de relier,
Goal Indicators of the United Nations dans les discussions et les actions, les cibles et
Statistical Commission and at the multilateral indicateurs des objectifs de développement
environmental agreement level. durable et les cibles et indicateurs des AME
relatifs à la biodiversité, en vue d’éclairer
les discussions au sein du Groupe d’experts
interinstitutions de la Commission de statistique
de l’ONU et au niveau des AME.

AND PRODUCTION

INSTITUTIONS

4
Resumen ejecutivo Резюме
Los debates relacionados con la consecución Обсуждение вопросов реализации Целей
de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible в области устойчивого развития (ЦУР) в
(ODS) se han desplazado a la elaboración de настоящее время касается разработки
indicadores apropiados para medir el progreso соответствующих показателей для оценки
de la aplicación en los planos mundial, regional хода осуществления на глобальном,
y nacional. El papel y la pertinencia de los региональном и национальном уровнях.
acuerdos ambientales multilaterales en la Давно признаны роль многосторонних
consecución de los ODS quedaron establecidos природоохранных соглашений (МПС) в
desde hace mucho tiempo. Sin embargo, al достижении ЦУР и взаимосвязь с ними.
parecer los debates actuales en relación con Однако в ходе нынешних дискуссий,
el desarrollo de los indicadores de los ODS связанных с разработкой показателей ЦУР,
se ven limitados por la falta de idoneidad de как представляется, возникают трудности,
los datos y la información resultantes de la обусловленные вопросом о правильности
aplicación de esos acuerdos. En el presente данных и информации, получаемых в
documento se señalan los vínculos existentes результате осуществления МПС. В настоящем
entre los acuerdos ambientales multilaterales документе освещаются взаимосвязи
y los ODS, en general, y entre los acuerdos между МПС и ЦУР, в целом, и связанными
ambientales multilaterales relacionados con с биоразнообразием МПС, в частности,
la diversidad biológica, en particular, teniendo при рассмотрении вопросов о задачах
en cuenta las cuestiones relativas a las metas y и показателях ЦУР. Документ посвящен
los indicadores de los Objetivos de Desarrollo вопросам и возможностям взаимной увязки
Sostenible (ODS). El presente documento se обсуждений и мер в отношении задач и
centra en las cuestiones y oportunidades para показателей ЦУР и задач и показателей
vincular los debates y acciones entre las metas e связанных с биоразнообразием МПС в
indicadores de los ODS y las metas e indicadores попытке предложить обоснование для
de los acuerdos ambientales multilaterales обсуждений в рамках Межучрежденческой
relacionados con la diversidad biológica en un группы экспертов (МУГЭ) Статистической
intento por orientar los debates en el marco комиссии Организации Объединенных
del Grupo Interinstitucional de Expertos (GIE) Наций и на уровне МПС.
de la Comisión de Estadística de las Naciones
Unidas y a nivel de los acuerdos ambientales
multilaterales.
5
‫‪Contributions of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) towards achieving the Strategic Plan of Biodiversity (2011-2020) and the Aichi biodiversity targets‬‬
‫‪执行摘要‬‬ ‫موجز تنفيذي‬

‫‪与可持续发展目标有关的讨论目前已转向为‬‬ ‫الحال المناقشات المتعلقة بتحقيق أهداف‬ ‫ي‬ ‫تحولت ف ي� الوقت‬
‫‪衡量全球、区域和国家各级的实施进展而制‬‬ ‫مؤ�ات مناسبة لقياس التقدم‬ ‫التنمية المستدامة إىل وضع ش‬
‫ن‬
‫والوط�‪.‬‬ ‫والقليمي‬ ‫ف‬
‫‪定合适的指标。多边环境协定在实现可持续‬‬ ‫ي‬ ‫المحرز ي� التنفيذ عىل الصعيد العالمي إ‬
‫‪发展目标方面的作用和相关性很早就得到认‬‬ ‫وقد جرى التسليم منذ مدة طويلة بدور وأهمية االتفاقات‬
‫‪可，但目前围绕制定可持续发展目标各项指‬‬ ‫الطراف ف ي� تحقيق أهداف التنمية المستدامة‪.‬‬ ‫البيئية المتعددة أ‬
‫‪标的讨论似乎面临挑战，这些挑战与多边环‬‬ ‫مؤ�ات‬ ‫بيد أنه يبدو أن المناقشات الحالية عىل صعيد وضع ش‬
‫‪境协定实施过程中产生的数据和信息的合适‬‬ ‫أهداف التنمية المستدامة تواجه تحديات تتمثل ف ي� مالءمة‬
‫‪性有关。本文件概述了一般性多边环境协定‬‬ ‫البيانات والمعلومات المنبثقة عن تنفيذ هذه االتفاقات‪ .‬وتحدد‬
‫‪与可持续发展目标之间的联系，以及与生物‬‬ ‫الطراف‬ ‫ب� االتفاقات البيئية المتعددة أ‬
‫هذه الورقة الروابط ي ن‬
‫‪多样性有关的多边环境协定与可持续发展目‬‬ ‫وأهداف التنمية المستدامة بشكل عام واالتفاقات البيئية‬
‫‪标之间的特定联系，同时考虑到可持续发展‬‬ ‫الطراف ذات الصلة بالتنوع البيولوجي بشكل خاص‬ ‫المتعددة أ‬
‫‪目标的各项具体目标和指标。本文件重点审‬‬ ‫ومؤ�ات أهداف التنمية‬ ‫مع مراعاة المسائل المتعلقة بغايات ش‬
‫‪查将实现可持续发展目标的各项具体目标和‬‬ ‫المستدامة‪.‬‬
‫‪指标与实现生物多样性领域多边环境协定的‬‬
‫‪各项目标与指标的相关讨论与行动相联系的‬‬ ‫والجراءات‬‫وتركز الورقة عىل المسائل والفرص لربط المناقشات إ‬
‫‪问题和机会，以期为联合国统计委员会机构‬‬ ‫ومؤ�ات أهداف التنمية المستدامة وغايات‬‫ب� غايات ش‬ ‫ين‬
‫‪间专家组内的讨论和多边环境协定一级的讨‬‬
‫أ‬ ‫ش‬
‫ومؤ�ات االتفاقات البيئية المتعددة الطراف ذات الصلة‬
‫。‪论提供参考‬‬ ‫ف‬
‫بالتنوع البيولوجي ي� محاولة إلثراء المناقشات داخل فريق‬
‫أ‬
‫الحصائية ف ي� المم‬ ‫ت‬
‫المش�ك ي ن‬
‫ب� الوكاالت التابع للجنة إ‬ ‫الخ�اء‬
‫ب‬
‫أ‬
‫المتحدة وعىل مستوى االتفاقات البيئية المتعددة الطراف‪.‬‬
‫‪6‬‬
Role of the multilateral environmental agreements
towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
With special focus on Climate Change. In December 2015, the United

biodiversity-related multilateral Nations Statistical Commission published the
environmental agreements report of the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on
Sustainable Development Goal Indicators (see
I. Introduction E/CN.3.2016/2). The indicators, which are critical
to measuring progress in implementation of the
Goals, were discussed by the United Nations
During the United Nations Summit for the Statistical Commission and agreed to in March
adoption of the post-2015 development agenda, 2016.2,3
held in New York in September 2015, Member
States agreed on a global agenda, entitled In response to paragraph 90 of the 2030 Agenda,
“Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for on 15 January 2016, the Secretary-General of
Sustainable Development”, with the overarching the United Nations issued a report on critical
goal of eradicating poverty and achieving milestones for coherent, efficient and inclusive
sustainable development. In paragraphs 72 and 73 follow-up on and review of the Agenda at the
of the 2030 Agenda, Governments also stressed global level (A/70/684). The report states that
that a robust, voluntary, effective, participatory, Member States have the primary responsibility
transparent and integrated follow-up and review for implementing the Agenda at the national
framework would make a vital contribution to level, with full and informed participation
implementation and promote accountability to by all relevant stakeholders. Section II of the
citizens; support active international cooperation report outlines the key responsibilities of
in achieving the 2030 Agenda; and foster exchange Member States in determining the means
of best practices and mutual learning. A set of 17 of implementation of the Agenda, including
Sustainable Development Goals were agreed as the Sustainable Development Goals. The
part of the Agenda.1 report also outlines the key functions of the
High level Political Forum on Sustainable
Member States also agreed on a series of global Development, which meets under the Economic
frameworks to support the realization of the and Social Council to discuss issues such as
2030 Agenda, including the Sendai Framework voluntary national reviews4 and provides
for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, the recommendations on voluntary common
Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third reporting guidelines (sect. VII (g)). In accordance
International Conference on Financing for with paragraph 99 of the report, in 2017, the
Development and the outcomes of the twenty- High-level Political Forum is expected to cover
first session of the Conference of the Parties to the review of key environment related Goals 2,
the United Nations Framework Convention on 13, 14, 15 and 17.
1 The United Nations General Assembly 2015 Resolution 70/1 Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/ (accessed on 20 December 2015).
2 http://unstats.un.org/unsd/statcom/47th-session/documents/Decisions_final_unedited.pdf.
3 http://unstats.un.org/unsd/statcom/47th-session/documents/2016-2-IAEG-SDGs-Rev1-E.pdf.
4 The 2030 Agenda does not specify at what intervals the reviews should be conducted.
7
With progress made on various fronts, ranging Migratory Species of Wild Animals, Convention
from proposing a set of indicators to measure concerning the Protection of the World Cultural
progress in implementing actions towards the and Natural Heritage, International Treaty on
2030 Agenda to suggesting specific reviews Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
of Goals by the High-level Political Forum, and International Plant Protection Convention)
responsibility for responding to these outcomes and the chemicals-related multilateral
now shifts to the national level. Therefore, environmental agreements (Basel Convention
countries need to focus on identifying on the Control of Transboundary Movements
appropriate targets for prioritizing, adopting of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal,
and designing suitable indicators for measuring Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed
progress; use available platforms, mechanisms Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous
and forums to support implementation; and Chemicals and Pesticides in International
respond to the global commitments made Trade and Stockholm Convention on Persistent
to implement the 2030 Agenda and other Organic Pollutants). Others are outcomes
multilateral processes, such as the multilateral of international conferences; examples
environmental agreements, trade agreements, include the Rio Conventions (Convention on
social and economic frameworks and others. Biological Diversity, United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change, United Nations
II. Multilateral environmental Convention to Combat Desertification). Still
agreements others, such as the Regional Seas Conventions
and Action Plans, deal with specific regions.
Multilateral environmental agreements
play a critical role in the overall framework The terms “multilateral environmental
of environmental laws and conventions. agreements” and “conventions” are occasionally
Complementing national legislation and used interchangeably.
bilateral or regional agreements, multilateral
environmental agreements form the overarching Multilateral environmental agreements
international legal basis for global efforts to guide global, regional and national action
address particular environmental issues. The on environmental issues and are a result of
role of multilateral environmental agreements multilateral processes, which makes them
in achieving sustainable development has long key elements of environmental, legal and
been recognized.5 governance regimes. Scholars and practitioners
also refer to them as “soft laws” to indicate the
Some multilateral environmental agreements nature of the instruments and compliance issues
focus on particular themes. Examples related to them.
include the biodiversity-related multilateral
environmental agreements (Convention on In recent years, several multilateral
Biological Diversity, Convention on International environmental agreements have focused on
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and linking their mandates to the development
Fauna, Convention on the Conservation of agenda, and strategies have been developed
5 Balakrishna Pisupati, 2012, Biodiversity Governance: Lessons for International Environmental Governance, National Biodiversity Authority
(Chennai, Government of India).
8
to contribute to sustainable development. For Species of Wild Animals, the Convention on
example, the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity Wetlands, the Convention concerning the
for the period 2011–2020 addresses issues of Protection of the World Cultural and Natural
sustainable development contributions to the Heritage, the International Treaty on Plant
Convention on Biological Diversity through Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and
its governing body.6 Similarly, the Convention the International Plant Protection Convention,
on International Trade in Endangered Species with a view to appropriately linking targets and
of Wild Flora and Fauna, the Convention on indicators.
the Conservation of Migratory Species of
Wild Animals, the United Nations Framework III. Role and relevance of
Convention on Climate Change, the Basel multilateral environmental
and Rotterdam conventions and others have agreements in achieving the
developed action programmes and strategic
Sustainable Development
links connecting their mandates to sustainable
development, thus strengthening the link
Goals
between the multilateral environmental
agreements and the 2030 Agenda.7 The role of multilateral environmental
agreements in achieving the 2030 Agenda
In paragraph 89 of the outcome document of and the Sustainable Development Goals is
the United Nations Conference on Sustainable indisputable. There are direct and indirect
Development, entitled “The future we want”, references to the multilateral environmental
Member States recognized the significant agreements in the Goals and targets adopted,
contributions of the multilateral environmental including in Goals 12 and 17, which are applicable
agreements to sustainable development. across the board, and in specific Goals such
Additionally, paragraphs 197–204 of the as Goal 12, on chemicals and wastes, Goal 13,
outcome document focused on the need to deal on climate change, and Goals 14 and 15, on
with biodiversity issues in order to achieve the ecosystems and biological diversity.
objectives of the 2030 Agenda.
Table 1 outlines the links between the
The present paper provides an overview of Sustainable Development Goals and their
ongoing debates regarding the links between targets and key multilateral environmental
the Sustainable Development Goals and agreements.
multilateral environmental agreements in
general, and conventions belonging to the Multilateral environmental agreements have a
biodiversity cluster in particular, namely key role in fulfilling the need for the Goals to be
the Convention on Biological Diversity, appropriately understood and support putting in
the Convention on International Trade in place mechanisms for implementing the Goals.
Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, the
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory
6 Decisions XII/4 and XI/22 of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
7 Decisions 16.6, 16.17 and 16.25 of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora
and Fauna and resolution 11.2 of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.
9
Table 1: Links between Sustainable Development Goals and targets and key multilateral
environmental agreements
Multilateral Focus Link to Sustainable Development

environmental agreement Goals and targets
Convention on Biological Conservation of Goal 1, targets 1.4 and 1.b;
Diversity biodiversity; sustainable Goal 2, targets 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.a and 2.b;
use of biodiversity; fair and Goal 3, target 3.8;
equitable sharing of benefits Goal 6, target 6.6;
arising from the use of Goal 8, target 8.4;
genetic resources Goal 9, target 9.5;
Goal 11, targets 11.4 and 11.a;
Goal 12, targets 12.2 and 12.8;
Goal 13, targets 13.3 and 13.b;
Goal 14, targets 14.1 to 14.7, 14.a, 14.b and
14.c;
Goal 15, targets 15.1, 15.2, 15.4, 15.5, 15.6,
15.7, 15.8, 15.9 and 15.b;
Goal 16, targets 16.7, 16.8 and 16.b;
Goal 17, targets 17.3, 17.6, 17.7, 17.8, 17.9,
17.10, 17.14, 17.15, 17.17, 17.17 and 17.19
Convention on Monitoring trade in Goal 12, target 12.2;
International Trade in endangered species to Goal 16, targets 16.7, 16.8 and 16.b;
Endangered Species of Wild ensure survival of species is Goal 14, targets 14.2 and 14.4;
Flora and Fauna not threatened Goal 15, targets 15.7 and 15.b;
Goal 17, targets 17.3, 17.6, 17.7, 17.8, 17.9,
17.10, 17.14, 17.15, 17.17, 17.17 and 17.19
Convention on the Conservation of terrestrial, Goal 12, target 12.8;
Conservation of Migratory aquatic and avian migratory Goal 16, targets 16.7, 16.8 and 16.b;
Species of Wild Animals species, their habitats Goal 13, target 13.b;
and migration routes, to Goal 14, targets 14.2, 14,4 and 14.5;
ensure their favourable Goal 15, targets 15.8 and 15.9;
conservation status across Goal 17, targets 17.3, 17.6, 17.7, 17.8, 17.9,
their migratory ranges 17.14, 17.15, 17.17, 17.17 and 17.19
10
Convention on Wetlands of Framework for national Goal 2, target 2.4;
International Importance action and international Goal 6, target 6.6;
especially as Waterfowl cooperation for the Goal 12, target 12.2;
Habitat conservation and use of Goal 13, target 13.b;
wetlands and their resources Goal 2, target 2.4;
Goal 6, target 6.6;
Goal 12, target 12.2;
Goal 13, target 13.b;
Goal 17, targets 17.3, 17.6, 17.7, 17.8, 17.9,
17.14, 17.15, 17.17, 17.17 and 17.19
International Treaty on Conservation and Goal 2, targets 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5;
Plant Genetic Resources for sustainable use of plant Goal 12, target 12.2;
Food and Agriculture genetic resources for food Goal 13, target 13.b;
and agriculture and the Goal 15, targets 15.5, 15.6 and 15.9;
fair and equitable sharing Goal 16, targets 16.7, 16.8 and 16.b;
of benefits derived from Goal 17, targets 17.3, 17.6, 17.7, 17.8, 17.9,
their use for sustainable 17.14, 17.15, 17.17, 17.17 and 17.19
agriculture and food security
Convention concerning Protection of the world’s Goal 11, target 11.4;
the Protection of the cultural and natural heritage Goal 12, target 12.8;
World Cultural and Natural Goal 13, target 13.b
Heritage Goal 15, targets 15.1, 15.4, 15.5 and 15.9;
Goal 17, targets 17.3, 17.6, 17.7, 17.8, 17.9,
17.14, 17.15, 17.17, 17.17 and 17.19
International Plant Secure coordinated, effective Goal 12, target 12.2;
Protection Convention action to prevent and control Goal 13, target 13.b;
the introduction and spread Goal 15, targets 15.1 and 15.8;
of pests of plants and plant Goal 16, targets 16.7, 16.8 and 16.b;
products Goal 17, targets 17.3, 17.6, 17.7, 17.8, 17.9,
17.14, 17.15, 17.17, 17.17 and 17.19
11

United Nations Framework Stabilize greenhouse gas Goal 2, target 2.4;
Convention on Climate concentrations in the Goal 9, target 9.4;
Change atmosphere at a level that Goal 11, targets 11.6 and 11.b;
would prevent dangerous Goal 12, targets 12.8 and 12.c;
anthropogenic interference Goal 13, targets 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.a and
with the climate system 13.b;
Goal 15, targets 15.1, 15.2, 15.4, 15.5, 15.8
and 15.b;
Goal 17, targets 17.3, 17.6, 17.7, 17.8, 17.9,
17.14, 17.15, 17.17, 17.17 and 17.19
United Nations Convention Combat desertification Goal 1, target 1.5;
to Combat Desertification and mitigate the effects of Goal 2, target 2.4;
drought through national Goal 13, target 13.b;
action programmes that Goal 12, target 12.8;
incorporate long-term Goal 15, target 15.3;
strategies supported by Goal 16, targets 16.7, 16.8 and 16.b;
international cooperation and Goal 17, targets 17.3, 17.6, 17.7, 17.8, 17.9,
partnership arrangements 17.14, 17.15, 17.17, 17.17 and 17.19
Regional Seas Conventions Legal frameworks for Goal 12, target 12.8
and Action Plans protecting oceans and seas Goal 14, targets 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.5, 14.7,
at the regional level 14.a, 14.b and 14.c;
Goal 17, targets 17.3, 17.6, 17.7, 17.8, 17.9,
17.14, 17.15, 17.17, 17.17 and 17.19
Chemicals conventions Sound management of Goal 3, target: 3.9
(Basel Convention on the chemicals and wastes and Goal 12, targets 12.4; 12.5 and 12.7;
Control of Transboundary related impacts on the Goal 14, target 14.1;
Movements of Hazardous environment and human Goal 15, targets 15.1, 15.3 and 15.5;
Wastes and their Disposal, health Goal 16, targets 16.7, 16.8 and 16.b;
Rotterdam Convention on Goal 17, targets 17.3, 17.6, 17.7, 17.8, 17.9,
the Prior Informed Consent 17.14, 17.15, 17.17, 17.17 and 17.19
Procedure for Certain
Hazardous Chemicals and
Pesticides in International
Trade, Stockholm
Convention on Persistent
Organic Pollutants and
others)
12
IV. The indicators for
There is keen interest among stakeholders
Sustainable Development
working on multilateral environmental
Goals and the biodiversity agreements in ensuring that there are
related conventions appropriate links to actions at the national
level to achieve the dual goals of conservation
In 2002, the parties to the Convention on and development. As table 1 show, the
Biological Diversity adopted a focused implementation of actions related to the
strategic plan for biodiversity and a set of multilateral environmental agreements at
global biodiversity targets, along with a set various levels will significantly influence the
of global indicators to measure progress in extent to which the Goals and their targets are
implementation of the targets.8 One key lesson achieved.
learned in the process of achieving the 2010
Biodiversity Target was that countries should be However, the types of indicators considered
allowed to design indicators in line with national by the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on
needs and priorities. Building on experience Sustainable Development Goal Indicators
with implementation, the contracting parties to appear to be inadequate for measuring
the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2010 progress towards achieving the Goals and for
adopted the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity for leveraging the contribution of the multilateral
the period 2011–2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity environmental agreements in measuring
Targets9 with the understanding that global progress in sustainable development (see E/
targets and indicators would guide parties in CN.3.2016/2). One such example is target 14.7, on
setting national targets and indicators. The increasing the economic benefits to small island
response has been positive, to the extent that developing States and least developed countries
countries have started to prioritize national of the sustainable use of marine resources,
options for achieving the Strategic Plan for including through sustainable management
Biodiversity.10 However, differential priority of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism, all of
setting at the national level has impeded the which are to be measured using one indicator
assessment of progress in achieving the global described as “fisheries as a percentage of gross
targets. domestic product”. In failing to consider the
environmental and resource management
In addition to the Convention on Biological dimension of fisheries, the indicator could easily
Diversity, several key multilateral environmental be interpreted at the national level as simply
agreements have developed specific strategic encouraging more fishing, thus falling short of
plans and a set of targets and indicators. Many achieving the target and the Goal.
of the targets are addressed through action
programmes at the national and regional The Inter-Agency and Expert Group seems
levels, and indicators relevant to the targets are to lack appropriate data and information on
regularly reviewed and updated. options for better indicators. In addition, its
members are officials of national statistical
8 https://www.cbd.int/2010-target/about.shtml (accessed on 15 January 2016).

9 https://www.cbd.int/sp/ (accessed on 15 January 2016).
10 Balakrishna Pisupati and Christian Prip, 2015, Interim Assessment of Revised National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans. UNEP-WCMC,
Cambridge, United Kingdom and Fridtjof Nansen Institute, Lysaker, Norway.
13
offices and may not fully understand the use and for sharing the resulting benefits for
ongoing implementation of several key humankind while ensuring that the planet’s
multilateral environmental agreements that health is preserved. Given the common but
have adopted robust, well-tested targets and differentiated mandates for implementing
indicators developed over a longer period. actions, guided by the respective governing
bodies and assisted by scientific mechanisms,
Unless the gap between Goal indicators national implementation of multilateral
and other indicators under the multilateral environmental agreements needs additional
environmental agreements is closed and the impetus to coordinate actions (see UNEP/
multilateral environmental agreements play EA.2/12/Add.1).
an active role in ensuring adoption of relevant
indicators for the Sustainable Development The Sustainable Development Goals are a
Goal framework, there may be a disjointed new entrant in the policy space aimed at
interpretation of what national-level actions are contributing to the objectives of the multilateral
needed to achieve the 2030 Agenda. environmental agreements in general and
the biodiversity agenda in particular. Of the
V. Focusing on biodiversity- 17 Sustainable Development Goals, two
related multilateral refer specifically to biodiversity: Goal 14
environmental agreements (conserve and sustainably use the oceans,
seas and marine resources for sustainable
and the Sustainable
development) and Goal 15 (pprotect, restore
Development Goals and promote sustainable use of terrestrial
ecosystems, sustainably manage forests,
The role and relevance of biodiversity and combat desertification, halt and reverse land
ecosystems in securing the well-being of current degradation and halt biodiversity loss).
and future generations, both urban and rural,
cannot be overstated. The loss of biodiversity The multilateral environmental agreements
and ecosystems warrants a series of actions contributed significantly to the design and
by countries and stakeholders to protect development of the Goals. With a global
biodiversity through legal, policy and regulatory mandate to promote sustainable development,
mechanisms. the Goals will be used in political, social,
scientific and policy processes in the
In addition to CBD, the Rio Conventions, months to come, and such processes will
the United Nations Framework Convention affect implementation of the multilateral
on Climate Change and the United Nations environmental agreements at the national level.
Convention to Combat Desertification11 have
direct links to the realization of biodiversity Although conventions such as the Convention
mandates, goals and targets, each of which on Biological Diversity are mentioned in the
focuses on a specific set of issues, ecosystems preamble to the 2030 Agenda, the wording of
and species, with different but complementary Goals 14 and 15 reveals the need to link with a
mandates for dealing with their protection and
11 Ibid.
14
larger number of multilateral environmental development is reflected in the kinds of targets
agreements, such as the United Nations and indicators proposed. It is heartening to
Convention to Combat Desertification and the note that, unlike the Millennium Development
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Goals, which only incorporated a sub-target
Sea. The targets outlined under the Goals and on biodiversity five years after their adoption,
the suggested indicators for measuring progress the Goals include two goals directly related to
towards implementation of the Goals show the biodiversity.
need for synergies between biodiversity related
and Rio multilateral environmental agreements. While Goals 12 and 17 are directly linked to the
An example can be found in target 15.1 (by multilateral environmental agreements, Goals 2,
2020, ensure the conservation, restoration 14 and 15 also have specific links to biodiversity-
and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland related multilateral environmental agreements.
freshwater ecosystems and their services,
in particular forests, wetlands, mountains The adoption of the Strategic Plan for
and drylands, in line with obligations under Biodiversity for the period 2011–202013 and
international agreements). Thus, achievement the agreement reached in 2011 by the Liaison
of the Goals requires enhanced synergies and Group of Biodiversity-related Conventions
better coordination and cooperation between to use the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity as
the multilateral environmental agreements, overarching guidance14 for key biodiversity-
which in turn requires parties to the multilateral related multilateral environmental agreements
environmental agreements to move away are a step towards synergistic action among
from convention- and agreement-specific biodiversity-related multilateral environmental
debates and decisions, and towards overarching agreements and towards national and global
discussions on how sustainable development implementation of Goals related actions.
could benefit the implementation of individual
multilateral environmental agreements. Governments at the United Nations Conference
on Sustainable Diversity affirmed the
The multilateral environmental agreements importance of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity
can contribute in various ways to achieving for the period 2011–2020 and the Aichi
the 2030 Agenda – by improving governance; Biodiversity Targets, while the United Nations
bringing in partnerships to contribute to the General Assembly encouraged consideration
Goals in general and to Goals 14 and 15 in of the Strategic Plan and Targets in developing
particular; creating enabling conditions for the post-2015 development agenda, taking into
local development; coordinating actions for account the three dimensions of sustainable
synergies; and enhancing the role of law, equity development (see A/RES/67/212).
and natural justice in promoting development.
The role and importance of using the objectives
The focus of the Goals in dealing with the of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity for the
environmental dimension of sustainable period 2011–2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity
12 https://www.cbd.int/sp/ (accessed on 11 January 2016).

13 https://www.cbd.int/cooperation/doc/blg-08-02-en.pdf (accessed on 11 January 2016).
15
VI. Indicators for measuring

Targets in further developing the Sustainable
action on Goals 14 and 15
Development Goals have been widely analysed
in the Report of the High-level Panel of Eminent
Persons on the Post-2015 Development In its resolution 70/1, the General Assembly
Agenda,14 the Global Thematic Consultation on mandated the United Nations Statistical
Environmental Sustainability in the Post-2015 Commission to develop and implement a global
Development Agenda15 and other contexts.16,17 indicator framework. The Inter-Agency and
Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goal
The focus should now shift to developing action Indicators was established to develop a set of
programmes to translate the links between indicators for measuring progress in achieving
the multilateral environmental agreements the Goals and to present the outcomes by March
and the Sustainable Development Goals into 2016 to the UN Statistical Commission and then
reality. One key opportunity is to incorporate to the UN Economic and Social Council and the
Goal-related issues into the revised/updated General Assembly. In the same resolution, the
post 2010 National Biodiversity Strategies and General Assembly called for a framework that
Action Plans. As of 15 January 2016, a total was simple yet robust, addressed all Sustainable
of 70 contracting parties to the Convention Development Goals and targets, including for
on Biological Diversity had submitted their means of implementation, and preserved the
Strategies and Action Plans,18 and 126 parties political balance, integration and ambition
were either preparing or finalizing theirs. contained therein. Accordingly, in December
2015, the Inter-Agency and Expert Group
A review of completed Strategies and Action developed a set of indicators for consideration
Plans undertaken in 201519 and 201620 reveals (see E/CN.3/2016/2).
that they have little or no focus on dealing with
the Sustainable Development Goals. Although To date, a total of 231 indicators have been
this is understandable given the timelines for proposed, categorized as indicators for which
the completion of the Strategies and Action an internationally agreed methodology and
Plans and the fact that the General Assembly standards exist and data are easily available;
adopted the Sustainable Development Goals indicators for which a methodology has been
only in September 2015, countries finalizing established but data are not readily available;
their Strategies and Action Plans cannot afford and indicators for which no internationally
to overlook the need to provide specific policy agreed methodology has yet been developed. Of
and programmatic links between implementing the 231 indicators proposed, 151 are in the first
the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity for the period and second categories, while 80 are in the third
2011–2020 and achieving the Aichi Biodiversity category.
Targets and the Sustainable Development Goals.
14 http://www.post2015hlp.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/UN-Report.pdf.
15 http://www.iisd.ca/download/pdf/sd/crsvol208num7e.pdf.
16 http://unsdsn.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/TG10-Final-Report.pdf.
17 http://www.cbd.int/sbstta/doc/trondheim-full-paper-2-sdgs-en.pdf.
18 https://www.cbd.int/nbsap/ [accessed 15 January 2016].
19 Balakrishna Pisupati and Christian Prip, 2015, Interim Assessment of Revised National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, UNEP-WCMC,
Cambridge, United Kingdom and Fridtjof Nansen Institute, Lysaker, Norway.
20 https://www.cbd.int/sbi01/review/ (accessed on 21 January 2016).
16
Table 2 provides links between the SDG targets World Cultural and Natural Heritage and the
and indicators as well as the Aichi biodiversity International Plant Protection Convention) have
tagets and indicators. not yet developed convention specific targets
or indicators. They could benefit from aligning
Some biodiversity-related multilateral their approach with the Goal-related targets
environmental agreements (for example, the and indicators, taking into account their areas of
Convention concerning the Protection of the focus and mandates.
Table 2: Suggested Sustainable Development Goal indicators
Sustainable Suggested SDG Relevance to the Aichi Selected Aichi Biodiversity

Development Goal indicator Biodiversity Targets Target-related indicator21
target
Target 14.1 By Index of coastal Target 8 Trends in incidence of
2025, prevent and eutrophication By 2020, pollution, hypoxic zones and algal
significantly reduce and floating including from excess blooms
marine pollution of plastic debris nutrients, has been Trends in nitrogen footprint
all kinds, in particular density brought to levels that of consumption activities
from land based are not detrimental to
activities, including ecosystem function and
marine debris and biodiversity
nutrient pollution
Target 14.2 By Proportion of Target 6 Trends in fishing effort
2020, sustainably national exclusive By 2020 all fish and capacity
manage and protect economic zones invertebrate stocks Trends in population of
marine and coastal managed using and aquatic plants are target and bycatch aquatic
ecosystems to avoid ecosystem-based managed and harvested species
significant adverse approaches sustainably, legally and
Trends in proportion of
impacts, including applying ecosystem
utilized stocks outside safe
by strengthening based approaches,
biological limits
their resilience, and so that overfishing is
take action for their avoided, recovery plans
restoration in order and measures are in
to achieve healthy place for all depleted
and productive species, fisheries have
oceans no significant adverse
impacts on threatened
species and vulnerable
ecosystems and the
impacts of fisheries
on stocks, species and
ecosystems are within
safe ecological limits
21 https://www.cbd.int/sp/indicators/ (accessed on 18 January 2016).

17

target
Target 14.3 Average marine Target 10 Trends in climate change
Minimize and acidity (pH) By 2015, the multiple impacts on extinction risk
address the measured at anthropogenic pressures
impacts of ocean agreed suite of on coral reefs, and
acidification, representative other vulnerable
including through sampling stations ecosystems impacted
enhanced scientific by climate change or
cooperation at all ocean acidification are
levels minimized, so as to
maintain their integrity
and functioning
Target 14.4 By 2020, Proportion of fish Target 6 Trends in proportion of
effectively regulate stocks within By 2020 all fish and depleted target and bycatch
harvesting and end biologically invertebrate stocks species with recovery plans
overfishing, illegal, sustainable levels and aquatic plants are Trends in population of
unreported and managed and harvested target and bycatch aquatic
unregulated fishing sustainably, legally and species
and destructive applying ecosystem
fishing practices and based approaches,
utilized stocks outside safe
implement science- so that overfishing is
biological limits
based management avoided, recovery plans
plans, in order to and measures are in
restore fish stocks place for all depleted
in the shortest time species, fisheries have
feasible, at least no significant adverse
to levels that can impacts on threatened
produce maximum species and vulnerable
sustainable yield ecosystems and the
as determined by impacts of fisheries
their biological on stocks, species and
characteristics ecosystems are within
18
target
Target 14.5 By Coverage of Target 11 Trends in coverage of
2020, conserve at protected areas By 2020, at least 17 protected areas
least 10 per cent of in relation to per cent of terrestrial Trends in extent of marine
coastal and marine marine areas and inland water, and protected areas, coverage of
areas, consistent 10 per cent of coastal key biodiversity areas and
with national and marine areas, management effectiveness
and international especially areas of
Trends in protected
law and based particular importance
area condition and/or
on the best for biodiversity and
management effectiveness
available scientific ecosystem services,
including more equitable
information are conserved through
management
effectively and equitably
Trends in representative
managed, ecologically
coverage of protected
representative and well
areas and other area based
connected systems of
approaches, including sites
protected areas and
of particular importance
other effective area-
for biodiversity, and of
based conservation
terrestrial, marine and inland
measures, and integrated
water systems
into the wider landscapes
and seascapes Trends in the delivery of
ecosystem services and
equitable benefits from
protected areas
19

target
Target 14.6 By Progress by Target 3 Trends in identification,
2020, prohibit countries in By 2020, at the latest, assessment and
certain forms of the degree of incentives, including establishment and
fisheries subsidies implementation subsidies, harmful strengthening of incentives
which contribute of international to biodiversity are that reward positive
to overcapacity instruments eliminated, phased out contribution to biodiversity
and overfishing, aiming to or reformed in order and ecosystem services and
eliminate subsidies combat illegal, to minimize or avoid penalize adverse impacts
that contribute to unreported and negative impacts, and Trends in the number
illegal, unreported unregulated positive incentives and value of incentives,
and unregulated fishing for the conservation including subsidies, harmful
fishing and refrain and sustainable use to biodiversity, removed,
from introducing of biodiversity are reformed or phased out
new such subsidies, developed and applied,
recognizing that consistent and in
appropriate and harmony with the
effective special Convention and other
and differential relevant international
treatment for obligations, taking into
developing and account national socio
least developed economic conditions
countries should
be an integral
part of the World
Trade Organization
fisheries subsidies
negotiation
20
target
Target 14.7 By Sustainable Target 6 Trends in fishing effort
2030, increase the fisheries as a By 2020 all fish and capacity
economic benefits percentage of invertebrate stocks Trends in population of
to small island GDP in small and aquatic plants are target and bycatch aquatic
developing States island developing managed and harvested species
and least developed States, least sustainably, legally and
countries from the developed applying ecosystem
sustainable use of countries and all based approaches,
marine resources, countries so that overfishing is
including through avoided, recovery plans
sustainable and measures are in
management place for all depleted
of fisheries, species, fisheries have
aquaculture and no significant adverse
tourism impacts on threatened
species and vulnerable
ecosystems and the
impacts of fisheries
on stocks, species and
ecosystems are within
21

target
Target 14.a Proportion of Target 19 Number of maintained
Increase scientific total research By 2020, knowledge, species inventories being
knowledge, develop budget allocated the science base and used to implement the
research capacity to research in the technologies relating to Convention
and transfer marine field of marine biodiversity, its values, Trends in coverage of
technology, taking technology functioning, status comprehensive policy-
into account the and trends, and the relevant sub-global
Intergovernmental consequences of its loss, assessments including
Oceanographic are improved, widely related capacity-building
Commission Criteria shared and transferred, and knowledge transfer, plus
and Guidelines and applied trends in uptake into policy
on the Transfer of
Marine Technology,
in order to improve
ocean health and
to enhance the
contribution of
marine biodiversity
to the development
of developing
countries, in
particular small
island developing
States and least
developed countries
22
target
Target 14.b Provide Progress by Target 18 Trends in degree to which
access for small- countries in By 2020, the traditional traditional knowledge and
scale artisanal the degree of knowledge, innovations practices are respected
fishers to marine application of a and practices of through: full integration,
resources and legal/regulatory/ indigenous and local participation and safeguards
markets policy/ communities relevant in national implementation
institutional for the conservation of the Strategic Plan
framework which and sustainable use Trends in the practice of
recognizes and of biodiversity, and traditional occupations
protects access their customary use of
rights for small- biological resources, are
scale fisheries respected, subject to
national legislation and
relevant international
obligations, and fully
integrated and reflected
in the implementation
of the Convention with
the full and effective
participation of
indigenous and local
communities, at all
relevant levels
23

target
Target 14.c Enhance Number of
the conservation countries making
and sustainable progress in
use of oceans and ratifying,
their resources accepting and
by implementing implementing
international law through legal,
as reflected in the policy and
United Nations institutional
Convention on the frameworks,
Law of the Sea, ocean-related
which provides the instruments
legal framework for that implement
the conservation international law,
and sustainable as reflected in the
use of oceans and United Nation
their resources, Convention on
as recalled in the Law of the
paragraph 158 of Sea, for the
“The future we conservation and
want” sustainable use
of the oceans and
their resources
Target 15.1 By Forest area as Target 5 Trends in area of degraded
2020, ensure the a proportion of By 2020, the rate of loss ecosystems restored or being
conservation, total land area; of all natural habitats, restored
restoration and including forests, is at Population trends and
sustainable use Proportion of least halved and where extinction risk trends
of terrestrial and important sites feasible brought close to of species that provide
inland freshwater for terrestrial zero, and degradation ecosystem services
ecosystems and and freshwater and fragmentation is Trends in biocapacity
their services, biodiversity that significantly reduced Trends in delivery of multiple
in particular are covered by ecosystem services
forests, wetlands, protected areas, Trends in the condition of
mountains and by ecosystem selected ecosystem services
drylands, in line type
with obligations
under international
agreements
24
target
Target 15.2 By Progress towards Target 5 Trends in extent of selected
2020, promote the sustainable By 2020, the rate of loss biomes, ecosystems and
implementation forest of all natural habitats, habitats
of sustainable management including forests, is at Trends in fragmentation of
management of least halved and where natural habitats
all types of forests, feasible brought close to
halt deforestation, zero, and degradation
degraded/threatened
restore degraded and fragmentation is
habitats
forests and significantly reduced
Trends in primary
substantially Target 14
productivity
increase By 2020, ecosystems
afforestation and that provide essential Trends in area of degraded
reforestation services, including ecosystems restored or being
globally services related to water, restored
and contribute to health, Trends in benefits that
livelihoods and well- humans derive from selected
being, are restored and ecosystem services
safeguarded, taking into Trends in delivery of multiple
account the needs of ecosystem services
women, indigenous and
local communities, and
the poor and vulnerable
Target 15.3 By Proportion of Target 15 Trends in area of degraded
2030, combat land that is By 2020, ecosystem ecosystems restored or being
desertification, degraded resilience and the restored
restore degraded over total land contribution of Trends in biocapacity
land and soil, area biodiversity to carbon
Trends in natural resource
including land stocks has been
conflicts
affected by enhanced, through
Trends in the condition of
desertification, conservation and
selected ecosystem services
drought and floods, restoration, including
and strive to achieve restoration of at least
a land degradation- 15 per cent of degraded
neutral world ecosystems, thereby
contributing to climate
change mitigation
and adaptation
and to combating
desertification
25

target
Target 15.4 By Coverage by Target 5 Trends in condition and
2030, ensure the protected areas By 2020, the rate of loss vulnerability of ecosystems
conservation of important sites of all natural habitats, Trends in proportion of
of mountain for mountain including forests, is at degraded/threatened
ecosystems, biodiversity least halved and where habitats
including their feasible brought close to
biodiversity, in Mountain Green zero, and degradation
Trends in primary
order to enhance Cover Index and fragmentation is
productivity
their capacity to significantly reduced
provide benefits Target 11 Trends in protected
that are essential By 2020, at least 17 area condition and/or
for sustainable per cent of terrestrial management effectiveness
development and inland water, and including more equitable
10 per cent of coastal management
and marine areas,
especially areas of
particular importance
for biodiversity and
ecosystem services,
are conserved through
effectively and equitably
managed, ecologically
representative and well
connected systems of
protected areas and
other effective area-
based conservation
measures, and integrated
into the wider landscapes
and seascapes
26
target
Target 15.5 Red List Index Target 12 Trends in extinction risk of
Take urgent and By 2020 the extinction species
significant action of known threatened Trends in abundance of
to reduce the species has been selected species
degradation of prevented and their
natural habitats, conservation status,
halt the loss of particularly of those
biodiversity and, most in decline, has been
by 2020, protect improved and sustained
and prevent the
extinction of
threatened species
Target 15.6 Promote Number of Target 16
fair and equitable countries that By 2015, the Nagoya
sharing of the have adopted Protocol on Access to
benefits arising legislative, Genetic Resources and
from the utilization administrative the Fair and Equitable
of genetic resources and policy Sharing of Benefits
and promote frameworks to Arising from their
appropriate access ensure fair and Utilization is in force and
to such resources, equitable sharing operational, consistent
as internationally of benefits with national legislation
agreed
Target 15.7 Take Proportion of Target 12 Trends in distribution of
urgent action to traded wildlife By 2020 the extinction selected species
end poaching that was poached of known threatened Trends in extinction risk of
and trafficking of or illicitly species has been species
protected species trafficked prevented and their
of flora and fauna conservation status,
and address both particularly of those
demand and supply most in decline, has been
of illegal wildlife improved and sustained
products
27

target
Target 15.8 By Proportion Target 9 Trends in policy responses,
2020, introduce of countries By 2020, invasive alien legislation and management
measures to prevent adopting species and pathways are plans to control and prevent
the introduction relevant national identified and prioritized, spread of invasive alien
and significantly legislation and priority species are species
reduce the impact adequately controlled or eradicated, Trends in invasive
of invasive alien resourcing the and measures are alien species pathways
species on land and prevention in place to manage management
water ecosystems or control of pathways to prevent Trends in the impact of
and control or invasive alien their introduction and invasive alien species on
eradicate the species establishment extinction risk trends
priority species
Target 15.9 By 2020, Progress towards Target 2 Trends in guidelines and
integrate ecosystem national targets By 2020, at the latest, applications of economic
and biodiversity established in biodiversity values appraisal tools
values into national accordance with have been integrated Trends in integration of
and local planning, Aichi Biodiversity into national and biodiversity and ecosystem
development Target 2 of the local development service values into integrated
processes, poverty Strategic Plan for and poverty reduction in sectoral and development
reduction strategies Biodiversity 2011- strategies and planning policies
and accounts 2020 processes and are Trends in number of
being incorporated into countries incorporating
national accounting, natural resource, biodiversity,
as appropriate, and and ecosystem service values
reporting systems into national accounting
systems
Trends in number of
countries that have assessed
values of biodiversity,
in accordance with the
Convention
Trends in policies considering
biodiversity and ecosystem
service in environmental
impact assessment and
strategic environmental
assessment
28
target
Target 15.a Mobilize Official Target 20 Trends in mobilization of
and significantly development By 2020, at the latest, financial resources
increase financial assistance the mobilization of
resources from all and public financial resources for
sources to conserve expenditure on effectively implementing
and sustainably use conservation and the Strategic Plan for
biodiversity and sustainable use Biodiversity for the
ecosystems of biodiversity period 2011–2020
and ecosystems from all sources, and
in accordance with
the consolidated and
agreed process in the
Strategy for Resource
Mobilization, should
increase substantially
from the current
levels. This target will
be subject to changes
contingent to resource
needs assessments to be
developed and reported
by Parties
29

target
Target 15.b Mobilize Official Target 20 Trends in mobilization of
significant resources development By 2020, at the latest, financial resources
from all sources assistance the mobilization of
and at all levels to and public financial resources for
finance sustainable expenditure on effectively implementing
forest management conservation and the Strategic Plan for
and provide sustainable use Biodiversity for the
adequate incentives of biodiversity period 2011–2020
to developing and ecosystems from all sources, and
countries to in accordance with
advance such the consolidated and
management, agreed process in the
including for Strategy for Resource
conservation and Mobilization, should
reforestation increase substantially
from the current
levels. This target will
be subject to changes
contingent to resource
needs assessments to be
developed and reported
by Parties
30
target
Target 15.c Enhance Proportion of Target 18 Trends in the practice of
global support traded wildlife By 2020, the traditional traditional occupations
for efforts to that was poached knowledge, innovations
combat poaching or illicitly and practices of
and trafficking trafficked indigenous and local
of protected communities relevant
species, including for the conservation
by increasing the and sustainable use
capacity of local of biodiversity, and
communities to their customary use of
pursue sustainable biological resources, are
livelihood respected, subject to
opportunities national legislation and
relevant international
obligations, and fully
integrated and reflected in
the implementation of the
Convention with the full
and effective participation
of indigenous and local
communities, at all
relevant levels
*Sustainable Development Goal indicators that are yet to be developed and agreed on.
As was mentioned above, while the Sustainable biodiversity-related multilateral environmental

Development Goals and related targets focus agreements, such as those related to species
on issues of biodiversity and ecosystems in conservation, have not yet been incorporated
general, they have limited links specific to key into a number of indicators developed by the
biodiversity related multilateral environmental Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Sustainable
agreements. Each of the key biodiversity- Development Goal Indicators under the aegis of
related multilateral environmental agreements, the United Nations Statistical Commission.
in addition to the Convention on Biological
Diversity, provides opportunities and tools for Multilateral environmental agreement
achieving the Goals. secretariats and experts should provide further
guidance and advice to the Expert Group on
Table 3 is a sample compilation of Sustainable the relevance and usefulness of the indicators
Development Goal targets and related indicators currently being used by the multilateral
finalized by the United Nations Statistical environmental agreements.
Commission. Various issues covered under key
31
Table 3: Sample compilation of Sustainable Development Goal targets and related

indicators
Biodiversity- Relevant Sustainable Development Relevant Indicator under SDG

related multilateral Goal and target
environmental agreement
Convention on Target 15.1 By 2020, ensure the Proportion of important sites
International Trade in conservation, restoration and for terrestrial and freshwater
Endangered Species of Wild sustainable use of terrestrial and biodiversity that are covered
Flora and Fauna inland freshwater ecosystems and by protected areas, by
their services, in particular forests, ecosystem type
wetlands, mountains and drylands,
in line with obligations under Proportion of traded wildlife
international agreements that was poached or illicitly
Target 15.7. Take urgent action to trafficked
end poaching and trafficking of
protected species of flora and fauna
and address both demand and
supply of illegal wildlife products
Target 15.c. Enhance global support
for efforts to combat poaching and
trafficking of protected species,
including by increasing the capacity
of local communities to pursue
sustainable livelihood opportunities
Convention on the Target 15.1. By 2020, ensure the Proportion of important sites
Conservation of Migratory conservation, restoration and for terrestrial and freshwater
Species of Wild Animals sustainable use of terrestrial and biodiversity that are covered
inland freshwater ecosystems and by protected areas, by
in line with obligations under Proportion of countries
international agreements adopting relevant national
Target 15.8. By 2020, introduce legislation and adequately
measures to prevent the resourcing the prevention
introduction and significantly reduce or control of invasive alien
the impact of invasive alien species species
on land and water ecosystems and
control or eradicate the priority
species
32
RAMSAR Convention on Target 15.1. By 2020, ensure the Proportion of important sites
Wetlands of International conservation, restoration and for terrestrial and freshwater
Importance sustainable use of terrestrial and biodiversity that are covered
international agreements; adopting relevant national
the impact of invasive alien species species
species
International Treaty on Target 15.1. By 2020, ensure the Proportion of important sites
Plant Genetic Resources for conservation, restoration and for terrestrial and freshwater
Food and Agriculture sustainable use of terrestrial and biodiversity that are covered
in line with obligations under Red List Index
international agreements
Target 15.5. Take urgent and Number of countries that
significant action to reduce the have adopted legislative,
degradation of natural habitats, halt administrative and policy
the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, frameworks to ensure fair and
protect and prevent the extinction of equitable sharing of benefits
threatened species
Target 15.6. Promote fair and
equitable sharing of the benefits
arising from the utilization of genetic
resources and promote appropriate
access to such resources, as
internationally agreed
33

Convention concerning Target 15.1. By 2020, ensure the Proportion of important sites
the Protection of the conservation, restoration and for terrestrial and freshwater
World Cultural and Natural sustainable use of terrestrial and biodiversity that are covered
Heritage inland freshwater ecosystems and by protected areas, by
in line with obligations under
international agreements
International Plant Target 15.1. By 2020, ensure the Proportion of important sites
Protection Convention conservation, restoration and for terrestrial and freshwater
sustainable use of terrestrial and biodiversity that are covered
international agreements adopting relevant national
the impact of invasive alien species species.
species
In addition to Goals 14 and 15, which are closely

tied to biodiversity- and ecosystems-related
issues, various other Sustainable Development
Goals are linked to biodiversity-related
multilateral environmental agreements. Table 4
provides an example from CBD and ITPGRFA on
their links to SDGs and targets other than goal
14 and 15.
34
Table 4: Links between biodiversity related multilateral environmental agreements and Sustainable Development Goal targets and
indicators
Sustainable Sustainable Development Goal SDG Indicator Relevant Relevant multilateral environmental
Development Goal target biodiversity- agreement target and indicator
related
multilateral
environmental
agreement
2. End hunger, Target 2.3 By 2030, double the Volume of production per Convention Target 7
achieve food security agricultural productivity and incomes labour unit by classes of on Biological By 2020 areas under agriculture,
and improved of small-scale food producers, farming/pastoral/forestry Diversity aquaculture and forestry are managed
nutrition and in particular women, indigenous enterprise size and sustainably, ensuring conservation of
promote sustainable peoples, family farmers, pastoralists biodiversity
agriculture and fishers, including through secure Average income of small- Relevant Indicators:
and equal access to land, other scale food producers, by
Trends in area of forest, agricultural
productive resources and inputs, sex and indigenous status
and aquaculture ecosystems under
knowledge, financial services,
sustainable management
markets and opportunities for value Proportion of agricultural
Trends in population of forest and
addition and non-farm employment area under productive and
agriculture dependent species in
Target 2.4 By 2030, ensure sustainable agriculture
production systems
sustainable food production systems Number of plant and
and implement resilient agricultural animal genetic resources Trends in production per input
practices that increase productivity for food and agriculture Target 13
and production, that help maintain secured in either medium By 2020, the genetic diversity of
ecosystems, that strengthen or long-term conservation cultivated plants and farmed and
capacity for adaptation to climate facilities domesticated animals and of wild
change, extreme weather, drought, Proportion of local breeds relatives, including other socio-
flooding and other disasters and that classified as being at risk, economically as well as culturally
progressively improve land and soil not-at-risk or at unknown valuable species, is maintained, and
35
quality level of risk of extinction strategies have been developed and
36
Sustainable Sustainable Development Goal SDG Indicator Relevant Relevant multilateral environmental
Development Goal target biodiversity- agreement target and indicator
related
multilateral
environmental
agreement
2. End hunger, Target 2.4 By 2030, ensure Proportion of agricultural International
achieve food security sustainable food production systems area under productive Treaty on
and improved and implement resilient agricultural and sustainable Plant Genetic
nutrition and practices that increase productivity agriculture Resources
promote sustainable and production, that help maintain for Food and
agriculture ecosystems, that strengthen capacity Number of plant and Agriculture
for adaptation to climate change, animal genetic resources
extreme weather, drought, flooding and for food and agriculture
other disasters and that progressively secured in either
improve land and soil quality medium or long-term
conservation facilities
Target 2.5 By 2020, maintain the
genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated Proportion of local
plants and farmed and domesticated breeds classified as being
animals and their related wild at risk, not-at-risk or at
species, including through soundly unknown level of risk of
managed and diversified seed extinction
and plant banks at the national,
regional and international levels,
and promote access to and fair
and equitable sharing of benefits
arising from the utilization of genetic
resources and associated traditional

knowledge, as internationally agreed
VII. Future Steps
related targets and indicators and adjust
Biodiversity-related multilateral environmental national targets and indicators to link the
agreements could contribute significantly Strategies and Action Plans to the Goal
to achieving several of the Sustainable related agenda and actions.
Development Goals. However, the extent to
which that will happen remains unclear given (d) Actions at the national level, mostly guided
the nature of the indicators being finalized by by national statistical offices, should
the United Nations Statistical Commission. be linked to ensure that Sustainable
Development Goal target-related reporting
Following are guidelines for enhancing fully considers the targets and indicators
support from biodiversity-related of the key multilateral environmental
multilateral environmental agreements agreements.
to the implementation of the Sustainable
Development Goals. VIII. Need for synergies among
biodiversity-related
(a) Each multilateral environmental agreement multilateral environmental
should set out the manner in which its
agreements
objectives, strategic plans and work
programmes relate to the Sustainable
Development Goal targets and indicators. Synergistic implementation of the multilateral
The MEAs should define a set of options environmental agreements could not only
for national focal points to consider while reduce costs and the need for additional
planning implementation, and in preparing expertise and reporting-related work but also
documents for future governing body effectively integrate principles of conservation,
meetings that could require a link between sustainable use and benefits-sharing into
the multilateral environmental agreement development planning.
and the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable
Development Goals. The difficulties posed by such implementation
and integration will present a challenge when
(b) Existing indicators and those under countries meet to develop the post-2020 Global
development for the multilateral Biodiversity Strategy, to ensure that the next 10
environmental agreements should years of strategic planning for biodiversity will
be reviewed with a view to informing contribute to the achievement of Goals 14 and
discussions by the Inter Agency and Expert 15, as well as other Sustainable Development
Group on Sustainable Development Goal Goals that rely on effective local and national
Indicators so that the indicators for targets action to conserve natural resources and
related to Goals 14 and 15 can be finalized. ecosystems and ensure their sustainable use of
resources
(c) National Biodiversity Strategies and Action
Plans being finalized should take into
account Sustainable Development Goal-
37
IX. Contributing to the High-

The High-level Political Forum offers an
level Political Forum on
opportunity to determine whether adjustments
Sustainable Development are needed to ensure that the agenda
remains relevant and ambitious. Discussions
The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable are therefore required on streamlining and
Development is expected to take a holistic consolidating the indicator framework under the
view of implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Sustainable Development Goals. As the present
It will provide political guidance and paper shows, the current indicator framework
recommendations on the basis of a global does not appear to appropriately consider the
appraisal of progress towards the Sustainable indicators that are available and being used
Development Goals. The thematic review under the multilateral environmental agreement
of the Goals under the High-level Political frameworks.
Forum will be supported by the functional
commission of the Economic and Social The indicators can be streamlined by improving
Council and other intergovernmental bodies information sharing and exchanges at the
and forums. The governing bodies of the national level between statistical offices
multilateral environmental agreements and and multilateral environmental agreement
the United Nations Environment Assembly focal points. Appropriate guidance will be
have an essential role to play in contributing needed from the Environment Assembly
to the thematic review of the Goals under the and the governing bodies of the multilateral
High-level Political Forum.22 With the suggested environmental agreements. Otherwise, member
review of Goals 2, 13, 14, 15 and 17 scheduled States might again face the problem that
for 2017 (see A/70/684), meetings such as the emerged during review of implementation
second session of the Environment Assembly, of the Millennium Development Goals, when
the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of there was no or limited reporting regarding
the Parties to the Convention on International Millennium Development Goal 7, target 7 (b)
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora (reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a
and Fauna and the thirteenth meeting of the significant reduction in the rate of loss) at the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention national, regional and global levels.23
on Biological Diversity should not miss the
opportunity to inform the High level Political
Forum about issues related to links between the
Goals, its targets and indicators and work under
the multilateral environmental agreements.
22 “The future we want”, para. 85.

23 Balakrishna Pisupati, 2015, Sustaining Sustainable Development, Forum for Law, Environment, Development and Governance, India.
38
X. Conclusions
the national level and further the work of the
The present paper has provided an overview of High-level Political Forum. Technical support
the links between the Sustainable Development and capacity-building for national-level action
Goals and the multilateral environmental on issues identified in section X of the present
agreements. It has set out the data and paper will assist in achieving the objectives
information required in order to finalize the related to conservation and sustainable
Goal indicators by providing a summary of development.
biodiversity-related multilateral environmental
agreement targets and indicators. Given the relevance of implementation-related
actions at the national level, consideration
Further work will be needed to ensure that should be given to the manner in which
biodiversity-related multilateral environmental countries incorporate the set of indicators
agreements inform the Sustainable proposed by the United Nations Statistical
Development Goal implementation process at Commission into their reporting.
39
40
U NE P
AND PRODUCTION

INSTITUTIONS

Role of Multilateral
Environmental Agreements
(MEAs) in achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs)
U NE P
United Nations Environment Programme
P.O. Box 30552, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
Tel: +254-(0)20-762 1234
Fax: +254-(0)20-762 3927
Email: uneppub@unep.org
web: www.unep.org

Role of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (Meas) in Achieving The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS)

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NO ZERO GOOD HEALTH QUALITY GENDER CLEAN WATER

POVERTY HUNGER AND WELL-BEING EDUCATION EQUALITY AND SANITATION

CLIMATE LIFE LIFE PEACE, JUSTICE PARTNERSHIPS

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ISBN No: 978-92-807-3558-1

Produced by UNEP Division for Environmental Law and Conventions

Director of Publication: Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, UNEP/DELC

Author: Balakrishna Pisupati, UNEP/DELC

This publication is available online at: www.unep.org/environmentalgovernance/

Design: Jinita Shah/ UNON

Role of the multilateral environmental agreements in achieving the Sustainable

Rôle des accords multilatéraux sur l’environnement dans la réalisation

Роль многосторонних природоохранных соглашений (МПС) в достижении

II. Multilateral environmental agreements 8

III. Role and relevance of multilateral environmental agreements in

IV. The indicators for Sustainable Development Goals and the

V. Focusing on biodiversity-related multilateral environmental

VI. Indicators for measuring action on Goals 14 and 15 16

VII. Future Steps 37

VIII. Need for synergies among biodiversity-related multilateral environmental

IX. Contributing to the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 38

Executive summary Résumé analytique

NO ZERO GOOD HEALTH QUALITY GENDER CLEAN WATER

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‫‪执行摘要‬‬ ‫موجز تنفيذي‬

With special focus on Climate Change. In December 2015, the United

Multilateral Focus Link to Sustainable Development

Multilateral Focus Link to Sustainable Development

8 https://www.cbd.int/2010-target/about.shtml (accessed on 15 January 2016).

12 https://www.cbd.int/sp/ (accessed on 11 January 2016).

VI. Indicators for measuring

Table 2: Suggested Sustainable Development Goal indicators

Sustainable Suggested SDG Relevance to the Aichi Selected Aichi Biodiversity

21 https://www.cbd.int/sp/indicators/ (accessed on 18 January 2016).

Sustainable Suggested SDG Relevance to the Aichi Selected Aichi Biodiversity

Sustainable Suggested SDG Relevance to the Aichi Selected Aichi Biodiversity

Sustainable Suggested SDG Relevance to the Aichi Selected Aichi Biodiversity

Sustainable Suggested SDG Relevance to the Aichi Selected Aichi Biodiversity

Sustainable Suggested SDG Relevance to the Aichi Selected Aichi Biodiversity

Sustainable Suggested SDG Relevance to the Aichi Selected Aichi Biodiversity

Sustainable Suggested SDG Relevance to the Aichi Selected Aichi Biodiversity

As was mentioned above, while the Sustainable biodiversity-related multilateral environmental

Table 3: Sample compilation of Sustainable Development Goal targets and related

Biodiversity- Relevant Sustainable Development Relevant Indicator under SDG

Biodiversity- Relevant Sustainable Development Relevant Indicator under SDG

In addition to Goals 14 and 15, which are closely

resources and associated traditional

IX. Contributing to the High-

22 “The future we want”, para. 85.

CLIMATE LIFE LIFE PEACE, JUSTICE PARTNERSHIPS

Developed in collaboration with | TheGlobalGoals@trollback.com | +1.212.529.1010

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