KEY POINTS
- Pakistan commits to protecting 30% of land and sea areas by 2030
- New targets include controlling invasive species and promoting sustainable resource management
- SMART measures introduced to monitor business and development impacts on biodiversity
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has finalised its National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs), committing to protect 30% of its terrestrial and marine areas, control invasive species, and enforce sustainable management practices by 2030.
The ambitious goals, aligned with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity, mark a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to meet international conservation commitments while addressing domestic ecological challenges.
The targets also incorporate actionable SMART measures, such as developing legal and administrative policies to monitor business and development impacts on biodiversity.
The two-day high-level meeting held in Islamabad, chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, brought together diverse stakeholders, including representatives from federal ministries, provincial environment departments, forestry and wildlife authorities, academic institutions, and development partners.
The gathering focused on reviewing and refining Pakistan’s biodiversity priorities to ensure they meet both national needs and global standards.
Key officials participating in the sessions included Additional Secretary-I Dr. Saad S. Khan, Director Biodiversity Naeem Ashraf Raja, and Conservator Wildlife Samar Hussain Khan, who contributed their expertise to the finalisation process.
Comprehensive consultative process
Mohammad Saleem Shaikh, Media Spokesperson for the ministry and a specialist in climate policy and biodiversity advocacy, explained that the NBTs were developed following extensive consultations with government and non-government stakeholders across the country.
“The targets have been aligned with global frameworks, ensuring Pakistan’s biodiversity priorities reflect both ecological conservation needs and broader development objectives,” Shaikh stated.
The consultative process identified a comprehensive set of targets covering multiple critical areas, including ecosystem conservation and restoration, sustainable use of natural resources, biodiversity finance mechanisms, and inclusive governance structures. Officials emphasised that these targets establish a clear framework for monitoring and reporting progress on Pakistan’s biodiversity goals, supporting both national and international conservation agendas.
Strategic framework for action
“The newly finalised targets will guide Pakistan’s biodiversity actions in the coming years and support implementation of the revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP 2026–2030),” Shaikh added.
He noted that the initiative forms part of Pakistan’s broader efforts to strengthen biodiversity conservation, enhance ecosystem resilience, and contribute to global actions aimed at halting biodiversity loss.
According to Shaikh, national biodiversity targets are specific, time-bound goals within a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, designed to conserve biodiversity, restore ecosystems, and align with global frameworks like the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Key targets for 2030
Sharing further details, Shaikh revealed that key targets include protecting 30% of land and sea areas, controlling invasive species, and promoting sustainable management practices by 2030. The targets also incorporate actionable SMART measures, such as developing legal and administrative policies to monitor business and development impacts on biodiversity.
This strategic alignment with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to playing its part in global conservation efforts while addressing unique national challenges related to ecosystem preservation and sustainable development.
Understanding biodiversity
Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, refers to the variety of all life forms on Earth, including plants, animals, microorganisms, and the ecosystems they form. It encompasses three main levels: genetic diversity (variation within species), species diversity (different types of organisms), and ecosystem diversity (different habitats and ecological processes).
Biodiversity is essential for human survival as it provides clean air and water, food, medicine, climate regulation, and cultural values. Healthy biodiversity acts as a natural buffer against environmental changes and supports the ecosystem services that make life possible on our planet.
The current global framework aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, recognising that diverse ecosystems are more resilient and better able to support both human communities and wildlife.
