The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was agreed by all governments at COP-15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity in December 2022. It sets out an ambitious agenda to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity and put nature on a path to recovery by 2030. Later this year, at COP-17, the international community will take stock of progress towards 2030 targets and 2050 goals of the KMGBF.

In this talk, David Cooper will highlight why it is important to take urgent action — why biodiversity is important for people’s security and wellbeing. Drawing upon recent reports he will present what we know about progress towards the goals and targets, in the UK and globally, and describe future prospects. He will argue that current efforts must be complemented by actions across all sectors of the economy and society to promote and enable the transformative changes needed to ensure that people and nature can thrive together.