biodiversity
New report highlights Biosphere Reserves as key contributors to Global Biodiversity Targets
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The Picos de Europa is one of the 759 Biosphere Reserves in the world. It represents some of the highest montane systems of the large Gran Cantabrica range. Photo by Jarrod Cusens.
In December 2022, 196 parties adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), a landmark agreement under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity designed to tackle the global nature crisis through 23 ambitious targets. Since then, governments and communities worldwide have been seeking effective pathways to accelerate its implementation.
A new report, launched today, shows how networks of biosphere reserves can play a vital role in achieving these global biodiversity targets. The report draws on extensive consultations, expert workshops, and interviews within UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme, combined with global biodiversity data analysis and a wide review of literature.
The result is a comprehensive document demonstrating how biosphere reserves already contribute to the GBF, while offering concrete policy recommendations to maximize their impact. Rich with local case studies, the report highlights innovative, on-the-ground solutions for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
The timing of the release is significant. In 2025, China will host the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, where the international community will review the past decade’s progress and chart the next 10-year strategy for the Man and the Biosphere Programme. Authors of the report hope it will help bridge global sustainability agreements with intergovernmental initiatives, research institutions, and local action.
Hanna Sinare, researcher in the BECOME project at the Stockholm Resilience Centre and co-author of the report, stresses the importance of connecting global ambitions with local realities:
“Biosphere Reserves are model areas for sustainable development, where biodiversity conservation and human well-being should go hand in hand. They provide unique spaces for testing and learning new approaches. I hope this report encourages governments to recognize and support the critical role of biosphere reserves in delivering the Global Biodiversity Framework,” she said.
About Biosphere Reserves
In 2025, there are 759 Biosphere Reserves in 136 countries, including 25 transboundary sites.
Biosphere reserves are places that engage local governments, communities, Indigenous Peoples, universities, the private sector and non-governmental organizations in a participatory, inclusive approach to sustainability at a landscape scale, across jurisdictions and boundaries.
The World Network of Biosphere Reserves of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme, has more than 50 years of experience in learning how to implement a vision of living in harmony with nature.
Barraclough, A. D., Mertens, K., Cusens, J., Heckler, S., Delaroche, M., Måren, I., Sinare, H., Thomsen, J. K., Coetzer, K., Freitas, H., Reed, M., Moreira-Munoz, A., & Alves, J. (2025). Accelerating the Global Biodiversity Framework by Strengthening Biosphere Reserves. Become. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17092692
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