A Comparison of National Biodiversity Strategies: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Implementation Issues

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was adopted in 1993 to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and its components. Since then, member countries have written National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) to mainstream biodiversity across government and society, reduce the drivers of biodiversity loss, improve the status of species and ecosystems, and build capacity to implement solutions. We evaluated the NBSAPs of the 30 most biodiverse signatories to determine how well they (1) assessed the status of their species and habitats, (2) developed effective conservation-related strategies with measurable indicators, and (3) planned to implement these strategies. We also examined the signatories’ National Reports and compared reported progress to a suite of independent environmental and social variables. We found both strengths and weaknesses throughout the NBSAPs. Importantly, NBSAP strength had no significant effect on slowing biodiversity loss. Further, the countries that reported greater overall progress toward reducing extinction risk tended to have worse biodiversity declines. However, greater protections of habitats and ecosystems were associated with reduced decline. Social data suggested that countries require a free press, a decent standard of living, and measures to combat corruption to effectively implement their NBSAPs and protect biodiversity. The CBD is evolving as lessons are learned. At the international level, implementation assistance, sufficient funding, and independent progress assessments are needed, and biodiversity protection must be integrated more effectively into the Sustainable Development Goals. At the national level, both NBSAPs and their implementation need improved communication, coordination, funding, monitoring, accountability and enforcement.