© Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum Photos for FAO
International Mountain Day --11 December 2024
Theme: Mountain solutions for a sustainable future – innovation, adaptation and youth
Mountains cover one-quarter of Earth’s surface and host many global biological diversity hotspots. Half of the world’s population depends on them for water, energy and other critical ecosystem services. Recognizing the unique value of mountain ecosystems, Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) have established a Programme of work on mountain biodiversity. The activities it includes are articulated around the protection of crucial mountain ecosystems services, including supporting genetic and cultural diversity, as well as the livelihoods of highland and lowland communities.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) supports the restoration, protection and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, including mountains. Climate change is driving biodiversity loss on the world’s peaks and upsetting their natural equilibrium. Mountains are warming up more quickly than other terrestrial ecosystems, causing their vulnerability to spike. The loss of glaciers is pushing species to migrate to higher altitude habitats, thus affecting mountain-dwelling communities.
Set against the background of the Farallones mountain range, discussions at CBD COP 16 in Cali resulted in the adoption of two landmark decisions that can help deliver progress on mountain biodiversity. One addresses the linkages between climate change and biodiversity loss. It urges action to integrate nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches in national policies and plans. The other decision established the permanent subsidiary body on Article 8(j) of the Convention, which will elevate indigenous voices and make them part of the institutional functioning of the CBD.
Under the leadership of the Colombian Presidency, COP 16 also served as a stage for the dialogue between global and regional mountain platforms in a bid to develop a joint agenda and strengthen linkages between biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation in mountain-ecosystem settings. The dialogue is set to continue before culminating with the observance of the International Year on Glacier’s Preservation in 2025.
Biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in mountains will remain high on the global biodiversity agenda. COP17 of the CBD in Yerevan will see the first global stocktake of the KMGBF which will assess collective progress against the 23 targets. Halting and reversing biodiversity loss may be as arduous as climbing, but—as mountaineers would attest-- reaching the summit is worth the effort. Taking over from the Colombian Andes, the majestic snow-capped peaks watching over Yerevan will serve as the perfect natural backdrop to the world’s 2026 United Nations Biodiversity Summit.
More information:
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
Related Targets in The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
Minimize the impact of climate change and ocean acidification on biodiversity and increase its resilience through mitigation, adaptation, and disaster risk reduction actions, including through nature-based solutions and/or ecosystem-based approaches, while minimizing negative and fostering positive impacts of climate action on biodiversity.
Why is this target important?
Climate change is one of the main direct drivers of biodiversity loss. In addition to climate change, rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations have also resulted in ocean acidification. Various mitigation, adaptation and disaster risk reduction measures, including nature-based solutions and/or ecosystem-based approaches, have the potential to increase the resilience of ecosystems and human livelihoods to the impacts of climate change, including reducing emissions from deforestation and other land-use changes, and by enhancing carbon sinks. These approaches can also deliver numerous social, economic and environmental co-benefits.
Links to other elements of the Biodiversity Plan and other frameworks and processes
- Actions to reach Target 8 should take into account all of the considerations for implementation identified in section C of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
- Progress towards Target 8 will help to reach goals A and B of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Progress towards this target could also help to reach targets 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, and 12. Conversely, progress towards targets 1, 10, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 would facilitate progress towards this target.
- Target 8 addresses issues previously addressed in Aichi Biodiversity Target 10.
- Elements of Target 8 are also addressed in the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals, including targets 13.1, 13.2 and 14.3.
- Target 8 is also relevant to work being undertaken under the Paris Agreement under the UNFCCC, as well as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
