Revised and updated NBSAPs due by COP 16

In decision 15/6, the Conference of the Parties:

Para 6. Requests Parties to revise and update their national biodiversity strategies and action plans in accordance with Article 6 of the Convention, following the guidance provided in annex I, aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and its goals and targets, including those related to means of implementation, and to submit them through the clearing house mechanism by the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties;

Para 7. Requests Parties not in a position to submit their revised national biodiversity strategies and action plans by the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, to communicate national targets reflecting, as applicable, all the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including those related to all means of implementation in accordance with the reporting template provided in annex I as a standalone submission by the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties in advance of the full submission of the national biodiversity strategy and action plan;

Para 8. Urges all Parties to use the headline indicators, supplemented by component and complementary indicators and other national indicators in relevant national planning processes, including national biodiversity strategies and action plans, according to their national circumstances;

Para 9. Encourages Parties to adopt the revised or updated NBSAPs as policy and/or legal instruments and to mainstream them (or elements thereof) with broader strategies and plans, such as national sustainable development plans, national development plans, poverty reduction strategies and other relevant national sectoral and cross-sectoral plans, in line with national circumstances and priorities.

NBSAPs submitted since the adoption of decision 15/6

Spain (received 30 January 2023) First Party to submit a post-COP15 NBSAP!

The Strategic Plan on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity to 2030 (Plan estratégico estatal del patrimonio natural y de la biodiversidad a 2030) was adopted by Royal Decree on 27 December 2022. Prepared in accordance with the Law on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity (2007), which provides the legal basis for CBD implementation in Spain, the document represents the country’s fourth NBSAP. Experiences gained from implementing the NBSAP 2011-2017 and the conclusions drawn from the last evaluation report were taken into account in identifying priority areas, and respective objectives and measures, to be undertaken over the next years to achieve the SDGs and enable recovery of natural heritage and biodiversity by 2030.

Eight prioritized areas include: 1) enhancing knowledge about natural heritage and biodiversity including, among other measures, the implementation of a national system for the generation, monitoring and governance of knowledge; 2) nature protection and conservation, including measures to conserve geological heritage and geodiversity; 3) ecosystem recovery and restoration, including spaces degraded by extractive and industrial activities, urban ecosystems, nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation, and natural disaster risk prevention; 4) reduction of threats; 5) international cooperation and participation; 6) financing for implementation; 7) biodiversity consideration in public- and private-sector activities and decision-making; and 8) strengthening the governance system and legislative framework. Budgetary estimates for implementing objectives and measures are proposed. It is also expected that investments in biodiversity will substantially increase by 2025.

Spain also intends to align biodiversity goals and targets with those of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Post-2020 Gender Plan of Action, and prepare monitoring and evaluation reports on implementation progress, further to decisions adopted by COP-15.