Help us meet Target 6, the invasive species target of the Global Biodiversity Framework
Target 6 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is a critical global environmental commitment focused on combating one of the greatest direct drivers of nature loss: Invasive Species. These are species introduced outside their natural range whose establishment and spread threaten ecosystems, species and their habitats.
The value of meeting Target 6
The value of achieving Target 6 is immense, safeguarding both natural and cultural heritage and the essential services ecosystems provide. Invasive species, such as invasive plants or predatory animals like rats on islands, often outcompete, prey upon, or introduce pathogens to native species. They may collapse crucial ecosystem services like pollination, timber production and water quality.
Target 6 sets an ambitious goal for action by 2030 through a two-fold approach:
- Prevention and Pathway Management: The aim is to identify and manage the pathways of introduction (like international trade, transport, and tourism) to reduce the rate of establishment of known or potential IAS by at least 50 per cent. This involves effective environmental biosecurity: border security, surveillance, and early detection systems.
- Eradication and Control: For species already established, the focus is on eradication, containment or control, especially in priority sites, such as islands or areas of high biodiversity.
Successful implementation means restoring ecological balance and resilience. For example, the eradication of invasive rodents from various islands worldwide has directly led to the rapid recovery of endangered seabird colonies and unique native plants.
Successful implementation also means stopping invasive species from arriving in the first place through strong biosecurity measures. Prevention is the most cost-effective solution.
Meeting Target 6 is not only a wise investment in safeguarding nature. It is an investment in human well-being, directly protecting livelihoods, food security, and human health from the pervasive environmental and economic impacts of biological invasions.
Help us to fast-track action on Target 6 through the Global Environmental Biosecurity Initiative.
Target 6 in detail
The full text of the Target 6 commitment is:
Eliminate, minimize, reduce and or mitigate the impacts of invasive alien species on biodiversity and ecosystem services by identifying and managing pathways of the introduction of alien species, preventing the introduction and establishment of priority invasive alien species, reducing the rates of introduction and establishment of other known or potential invasive alien species by at least 50 per cent, by 2030, eradicating or controlling invasive alien species especially in priority sites, such as islands.
The Global Biodiversity Framework
Adopted at the meeting of the Conference of Parties of the Convention of Biological Diversity in 2022, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is the international plan to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and put nature on a path to recovery. It seeks to restore degraded ecosystems, reduce pollution and ensure the sustainable use of nature.
The Framework features four high-level goals for 2050 and 23 urgent global targets for 2030. This includes Target 6 that seeks to reduce the introduction of invasive alien species by 50% and minimise their impact.