Capacity Building for NBSAP and CBD Implementation: A Call to Action

At a pivotal forum convened during the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16), held in Cali, Colombia, experts from across the globe issued a powerful call to action: strengthening capacity building to implement National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) is critical for achieving the goals of the CBD.

The 2024 Biodiversity Capacity-Building and Development Forum, held on 19 October 2024, brought together government officials, civil society organizations, and biodiversity specialists, all focused on the urgent need to enhance capacity in the face of mounting biodiversity loss. Key themes included addressing gaps, fostering innovation, and adopting a holistic 'whole-society approach' to conservation. This comprehensive strategy emphasizes the involvement of all stakeholders, from governments and businesses to local communities, to tackle the shared responsibility of protecting biodiversity.

Key gaps and challenges
During the forum, gaps identified by the 2023 Rapid Capacity Needs Assessment were presented, highlighting several pressing challenges hindering the effective implementation of NBSAPs, key among them being:
• Lack of access to resources: Many countries struggle with inadequate access to financial support for biodiversity action, limiting the scope and scale of NBSAP implementation.
• Limited data and monitoring systems: Insufficient capacity to collect and monitor biodiversity data impairs informed decision-making and program evaluation.
• Insufficient mainstreaming of biodiversity goals: Biodiversity is often sidelined in key sectoral policies, making it difficult to integrate conservation goals into broader development plans.
• Technical capacity constraints: A shortage of technical expertise in biodiversity conservation further complicates NBSAP implementation, particularly in developing nations.
• Human resource shortages: Countries frequently face a scarcity of qualified personnel, hampering their ability to address biodiversity challenges.
• Translating NBSAPs into actionable plans: While many nations have set ambitious goals in their NBSAPs, there are challenges in converting these into practical, on-the-ground projects and initiatives.
• Limited coordination: Poor collaboration across government sectors and stakeholders creates fragmentation, stalling progress toward unified biodiversity goals.
• Lack of management effectiveness: Ineffective management structures have also been cited as obstacles to NBSAP success.

NBSAP capacity building-View of the room during the Contact Group on capacity building-. Photo credit: IISD/ENB/Mike Muzurakis

Best practices and solutions
In response to these challenges, participants discussed several strategies and best practices to improve capacity building for NBSAP implementation:
• Mainstreaming biodiversity across sectors: Integrating biodiversity into agriculture, infrastructure, energy, and other sectors is essential for broad-based conservation impact.
• Cross-agency collaboration: Governments need to foster better communication, shared understanding, and enhanced biodiversity literacy across ministries and departments to align biodiversity targets with national priorities.
• Biodiversity fiscal reporting: Countries should monitor biodiversity-related expenditures, ensuring transparent and effective allocation of funds toward conservation.
• Targeted training and capacity building: Tailoring training programs to address the specific needs of individuals and sectors involved in biodiversity management is key.
• Strategic partnerships: Engaging with the right partners, from the private sector to local communities, can help mobilize resources and expertise for conservation efforts.
• Flexible funding and project timelines: Adapting financial mechanisms and timelines to accommodate the unpredictability of biodiversity projects ensures sustainability.
• Shifting government priorities: Participants emphasized the need to push biodiversity conservation higher on government agendas, backed by strong political will.
• Making compelling cases: Practitioners must effectively communicate the importance and value of biodiversity for priorities such as sustainable development to gain support and receive adequate resources from governments.
• Inclusion, not invitation: Inclusion means empowering marginalized groups to lead and participate equitably, rather than just extending invitations to join existing processes.
• Deepen capacity building in projects: Capacity building needs to be more deeply integrated into projects and not just a box that is checked after one workshop.

The future of capacity building
Looking ahead, the forum identified several critical areas where capacity-building efforts should focus to enhance global biodiversity conservation:
• Sharing best practices and experiences: Facilitating knowledge exchange among actors and stakeholders can foster innovation and the adaptation of successful strategies across regions.
• Strengthening and resourcing regional institutions: Regional organizations play a crucial role in providing technical support and training to national governments, and they need greater backing to expand their influence.
• Utilizing new tools and frameworks: Global organizations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), are creating tools to assist countries with NBSAP implementation, offering resources to streamline processes.
• Engaging stakeholders from the outset: Inclusive planning from the beginning of biodiversity projects ensures that solutions are responsive to local needs and challenges.
• Breaking down silos: Collaboration across traditionally separated sectors-such as agriculture, energy, and education-must be encouraged to develop comprehensive biodiversity solutions.
• Funding multi-sectoral approaches: Sustainable funding models that address biodiversity issues across sectors are essential for long-term success.
• Leveraging existing knowledge: Customizing existing knowledge resources to suit the specific contexts of different countries and communities can enhance the effectiveness of capacity building initiatives.

A Call to action
The forum concluded with an impassioned call to action for governments, civil society, and international organizations to act decisively. To address capacity-building needs and ensure meaningful progress, the following steps are essential:
• Adopt a bottom-up approach: Governments should prioritize translating NBSAP goals into actionable plans that engage local communities and regional stakeholders.
• Mainstream biodiversity: All sectors of society-business, education, agriculture, and beyond-must prioritize biodiversity conservation in their practices and policies.
• Support regional technical organizations: These institutions need adequate resources to continue providing targeted capacity-building support to countries implementing NBSAPs.
• Communicate effectively: Public awareness campaigns are vital to highlight the importance of biodiversity, building momentum for conservation action.
• Enhance collaboration: Coordination across all levels of society, from international bodies to local communities, is crucial for building the capacities needed to protect biodiversity.

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