The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the implementation of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework calls for a ‘whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach’ incorporating the rights, knowledge, contributions, and values of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, women and girls, and ‘all actors of society’. Target 22 to “Ensure Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice and Information Related to Biodiversity for all” as well as Target 23 to “Ensure Gender Equality and a Gender-Responsive Approach for Biodiversity Action” signal a recognition from the international community to the importance of social inclusion and gender equality. Without the effective implementation of Targets 22 and 23, the global community will fail in its achievement of the rest of the Framework.
Ensuring the effective implementation of these targets is critical to achieving the global goals for 2030 and beyond in the Global Biodiversity Framework and the Agenda for Sustainable Development, and this can only be done through inclusive transformative change across economic, social, legal, political, and technological sectors.
