The KMGBF and EU Nature Restoration Regulation
Category:
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE POLICY
Policy basics
Institution Name
Policy sector area
Country where the policy is applied
Countries where the policy is applied also
Governance level
UN Biodiversity Conference and European Union
Public
Slovenia
International
>2M
Year of policy adoption
Population in jurisdiction
Area of jurisdiction (sq.km)
The policy be in force (years)
2022
400-600 km2
all
26
Policy background
Was there a "policy champion" that played a key part in the policy initiation, formation or enactment?
data
Was the policy inspired by a good example from another entity, or the result of a collaboration with other entities?
data
Which target group(s) does the policy seek to influence?
data
Aspects of policy effects
Is there other information you would like to provide which will support a better understanding of the nominated policy?
Is the policy a transposition of a higher level national or international policy or commitment? If so, please describe.
Absolutely. The EU Nature Restoration Regulation is formed to support national level compliance with the KMGBF. It is also important to note that the EU regulation is legally binding and thus an important step toward compliance in European countries.
Anticipated replicability and relevance for other jurisdictions or entities
The KMGBF already has 196 signatory countries. The few remaining countries in the world could join the commitment.
Description of anticipated and monitored policy consequences
Consequeces for people: Target 11 of the GBF calls on signatories to restore, maintain and enhance nature’s contributions to people, including ecosystem functions and services, such as regulation of air, water, and climate, soil health, pollination and reduction of disease risk, as well as protection from natural hazards and disasters, through nature-based solutions and/or ecosystem-based approaches for the benefit of all people and nature. Since ecosystem service contributions to people are central to target 11, it is expected to be a significant driver for GI and NBS in cities.
Description of policy monitoring and reporting plan to follow up implementation and assess policy consequences
The KMGBF has a dedicated reporting platform called The Clearing-House Mechanism of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CHM). See here: https://chm.cbd.int/ The EU has similar reporting requirements for member states and treaty obligated states.
Description of the policy formation process.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is an outcome of the 2022 United Nations Biodiversity Conference. The GBF was adopted by the 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on 19 December 2022. It has been profiled as a "Paris Agreement for Nature." The GBF contains 4 global goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030. For the green infrastructure community of practice the goals on reversing nature loss and management of ecosystem services are particularly relevant, while goals on financing mechanisms and stewardship of genetic resources can also come into play. Companies will be required to disclose their impacts on biodiversity and the natural world, including direct impacts at locations of company sites. Biodiversity targets will be a mandatory part of corporate governance. While the GBF is not legally binding, it is expected to have a significant impact on plans and regulations of the 196 signatory countries.
Please briefly describe other policies in the policy landscape, if there are any, that supplement and support the policy.
As an example, the EU has a rich supportive policy landscape, for example the EU Biodiversity Strategy, The Urban Wastewater Directive, The Energy Performance in Buildings Directive, The European Green Deal, The New European Bauhaus etc.
Is the policy following up a "parent" policy or is it expected to be followed up with "child" policies?
Absolutely. All signatory countries to the KMGBF are expected to establish National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans. These will surely obligate regions and municipalities to follow up with plans and policy at those respective levels.
Has the entity that adopted the policy commited economic or other resources to support the policy's goals?
Filtering down to cities remains, but here is Goad D of the KMGBF: Adequate means of implementation, including financial resources, capacity-building, technical and scientific cooperation, and access to and transfer of technology to fully implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework are secured and equitably accessible to all Parties, especially developing country Parties, in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States, as well as countries with economies in transition, progressively closing the biodiversity finance gap of $700 billion per year.
Does the policy support or drive accelerated uptake of green infrastructure?
Compared to the present rate of uptake of GI in urban areas, the policy should during the period toward 2050 have an accelerating effect.
Does the policy support or drive innovation in the field of green infrastructure?
Yes, especially for supporting retrofit solutions, but probably also for vertical greening. The policies will also trigger development of more sophisticated metrics and reporting for documenting "nature-positive" development.
Does the policy support establishing green infrastructure in existing buildings or constructions?
See answer to previous question.
Does the policy support or drive retrofit of green infrastructure into existing buildings, constructions?
Absolutely. In an urban densification scenario it will not be possible to reverse nature loss without retrofit into previously developed properties..
Does the policy affect socially equitable distribution of green infrastructure?
The policies call for improvements to human health and well being through improved access to urban nature. The policies don't discriminate between social or economic groups, and can therefor be regarded as supporting socially equitable distribution.
What aspects of environmental sustainability does the policy support? Comment briefly on (taxonomy for environmental sustainability aspects).
Biodiversity, carbon management etc.
Is the policy expected to contribute to a net positive increase in urban nature?
Target 12 of the GBF calls on signatories to significantly increase the area and quality and connectivity of, access to, and benefits from green and blue spaces in urban and densely populated areas sustainably, by mainstreaming the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and ensure biodiversity-inclusive urban planning, enhancing native biodiversity, ecological connectivity and integrity, and improving human health and well-being and connection to nature and contributing to inclusive and sustainable urbanization and the provision of ecosystem functions and services.
Does the policy support establishing green infrastructure in existing buildings or constructions?
The UN information service predicts that global urban population is expected to increase to 5 billion by 2030. More than 55 % of global population lives in cities now and will increase to 68 % in 2050. Urban population growth will be accommodated through increasing both the size and density of cities. For signatories to fulfill their GBF target 12 commitments in an urban densification scenario, innovative and building integrated greening will be necessary.
What ecosystem services or functionality does the policy act as a driver for? Please comment on...(taxonomy for ecosystem services.)
The Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) targets all types of ecosystem services identified for urban areas. Article 8 of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, finalized in June, 2024 requires that: By 31 December 2030, Member States shall ensure that there is no net loss in the total national area of urban green space and of urban tree canopy cover in urban ecosystem areas: From 1 January 2031, Member States shall achieve an increasing trend in the total national area of urban green space, including through the integration of urban green space into buildings and infrastructure and in urban ecosystem areas. The final text of the regulation is here: https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/PE-74-2023-INIT/en/pdf
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