The Netherlands on its way to COP16: What is a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan? 

In 2022, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was agreed to halt global biodiversity loss. This year, from 21 October to 1 November, the 16th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) will take place in Cali, Colombia. This Conference of the Parties (COP) will look at countries’ progress in implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework and what is needed to meet the 2030 targets. A key milestone prior to the start of this COP are the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), that need to be submitted by all countries. What does an NBSAP entail? And does the Netherlands have one? Read more about it in this blog. 

Header photo: Flying short-eared owl © Mark Bridger 

What is a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan? 

A National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) is the main instrument for implementing the Biodiversity Convention at the national level. Artikel 6^[1]Article 6. General Measures for Conservation and Sustainable Use https://www.cbd.int/convention/articles?a=cbd-06 of the convention requires countries to develop an NBSAP. Countries must ensure that this strategy is integrated into the planning and operations of all sectors whose activities may affect (both positively and negatively) biodiversity and nature. Examples of those sectors include manufacturing, agriculture and urban development. 

An NBSAP is the main instrument by which countries that signed the CBD (also known as Contracting Parties) establish and communicate their national contribution to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) and its targets^[2]CBD decision 15/6. Mechanisms for planning, monitoring, reporting and review https://www.cbd.int/doc/decisions/cop-15/cop-15-dec-06-en.pdf.

In addition, an NBSAP promotes synergy between the CBD and other international conventions and environmental agreements, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Climate Agreement, and the EU Green Deal, including the recently adopted Nature Restoration Act. 

Who are involved in drafting an NBSAP? 

When drafting an NBSAP, countries should ensure that all government sectors at all levels (‘whole of government’), and civil society (‘whole of society’) – such as businesses, civil society and youth -are involved. It is essential that the process receives broad political and social support and that clear agreements are reached on implementation. Only with a collective approach is it possible to achieve the goals. 

IUCN NL is committed to broad public engagement, such as with the Action Agenda for Biodiversity. 

Does the Netherlands have an NBSAP? 

All Contracting Parties are required to prepare an NBSAP in line with the goals of the KM-GBF prior to COP16^[3]Revised and updated NBSAPs due by COP16. https://www.cbd.int/nbsap/post-cop15.shtml. To date, in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, only Curaçao has completed an NBSAP^[4]Kamerbrief. Nederlandse Inzet voor de 16e Conferentie van Partijen voor het Verdrag Inzake Biologische Diversiteit. … Continue reading. By not submitting a plan for the rest of our kingdom, the government is breaking with international commitments and it remains unclear how the Netherlands will realise the necessary changes for biodiversity restoration. The government recently announced that it is expected to publish the Kingdom’s NBSAP in the second quarter of 2025, however, this is six months after the deadline. 

Are there other countries that have not yet submitted or updated their NBSAP? 

According to the CBD’s Online Reporting Tool, only 37 countries have currently submitted their plans. Many more plans are expected to be submitted in the week before the COP. 

In addition, countries with insufficient resources and capacity to prepare an NBSAP, especially countries in the Global South, may submit only their national biodiversity targets instead of a complete plan. So far, 91 countries have already done so. 

Want to know more?

• In Dutch: Opinion article IUCN NL on lack of an NBSAP for the Netherlands 
• Explainer: Funding for biodiversity during COP16
• Explainer: What will happen during COP16?