Key Points

  • This study presents the results of a gap analysis conducted by the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG) on Indicators under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), focusing on the monitoring framework for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), adopted at COP15.
  • Based on three implementation scenarios developed by the authors, the study analyzes the coverage of GBF goals and targets by monitoring indicators and the degree to which the goals are addressed.
  • The study also reviews cross-cutting issues in the monitoring framework and examines institutional and structural challenges faced by countries in its implementation.
  • Practical short-term and long-term recommendations for improving biodiversity monitoring are proposed to help countries monitor biodiversity more effectively.

Summary

In this Analysis, based on the gap analysis conducted by the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG) under the CBD, the authors—including Professor Ryo Kohsaka—developed three implementation scenarios, from worst-case to best-case, to evaluate how well the monitoring framework covers the elements of the GBF’s goals and targets.

The three scenarios are:
(1) only report on required headline and binary indicators,
(2) also report on all headline indicator disaggregations, and
(3) additionally report on all optional components and complementary indicators.

The analysis revealed that even under the most comprehensive scenario (3), 12% of the elements in the GBF’s goals and targets lack corresponding indicators.
Based on these findings, the authors propose practical recommendations for improving biodiversity monitoring, both in the short and long term, to help countries better monitor progress under the current GBF and any equivalent future plans.

The authors also emphasize the significant role of academic and citizen scientists, non-governmental organizations, and Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) in supporting national implementation through collaborative efforts. The seventh national report, scheduled for 2026, is identified as a critical opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of the monitoring system and to assess progress toward the GBF for the first time.

This work was published in Nature Ecology & Evolution in June 2025.

The 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16)
to the Convention on

Biological Diversity (CBD) convened in Cali, Colombia　
(photographed on October 2024)

Authors & Journal Information

Included author: Professor Ryo Kohsaka
The Laboratory of Forest Landscape Planning and Design, Department of Forest Science,Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences
The University of Tokyo

Authors: Affinito, F., Butchart, S.H.M., Nicholson, E. et al.

Title: Assessing coverage of the monitoring framework of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and opportunities to fill gaps. Nat Ecol Evol (2025).
Publication Date: June 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-025-02718-3　

Related News Release

Professor Ryo Kohsaka appointed as a technical expert under the Convention on Biological Diversity (in Japanese)
https://www.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp/news/news_20230517-1.html

Contact

Professor Ryo KOHSAKA
The Laboratory of Forest Landscape Planning and Design, Department of Forest Science, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences
The University of Tokyo

E-mail: kohsaka.lab[at]gmail.com / kohsaka[at]hotmail.com
Please replace [at] with @ when contacting.