CBDDistr.
GENERAL
CBD/COP/DEC/15/12*
19 December 2022
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE
CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Fifteenth meeting – Part II
Montreal, Canada, 7-19 December 2022
Agenda item 16B
DECISION ADOPTED BY THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
15/12.

Engagement with subnational governments, cities and other local authorities toenhance implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity
Framework

The Conference of the Parties,
Recalling decisions X/22 and XII/9,
Recalling also the Plan of Action on Subnational Governments, Cities and Other Local Authorities
for Biodiversity (2011-2020),1 and welcoming progress in its successful implementation,
Noting that, while responsibilities for implementation of the Convention rest with the Parties, there
are multiple reasons for promoting the engagement of subnational governments, cities and other localauthorities in the implementation of the Convention,
Noting also that subnational governments, cities and other local authorities are a constituent part ofmany Parties and other Governments, and that the implementation and monitoring of the KunmingMontreal Global Biodiversity Framework needs to involve all levels of government as appropriate,Recognizing the important role of subnational governments, cities and other local authorities in theimplementation of the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as monitoring andreporting, mainstreaming, resource mobilization, capacity-building and communication, education andpublic awareness, social participation and public access to information,
Recalling principle 2 of the ecosystem approach adopted in decision V/6,2
1.
Adopts the updated Plan of Action on Subnational Governments, Cities and Other Local
Authorities for Biodiversity, as set out in the annex to the present decision, as a flexible framework tosupport Parties in accordance with national legislation;
2.
Invites Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations to facilitate, as appropriate,
the implementation of the updated Plan of Action referred to in paragraph 1 above, according to nationallegislation, including by:* Reissued for technical reasons on 31 May 2023 (correction to para. 7).
1

Decision X/22.

2

Decision V/6, annex.

CBD/COP/DEC/15/12
Page 2(a)Involving subnational governments, cities and other local authorities in the revision,
implementation and update of their national biodiversity strategies and action plans, respecting thecompetencies of each level of government;(b)Supporting subnational governments, cities and other local authorities to develop,
implement and evaluate their local biodiversity strategies and action plans, in accordance with national
biodiversity strategies and action plans and global commitments;(c)
Ensuring the engagement of subnational governments, cities and other local authorities in
the mainstreaming of biodiversity, in line with the long-term strategic approach to mainstreaming within
and across sectors guided by the Conference of the Parties in decision 15/17;(d)Allocating human, technical and financial resources, as appropriate to national
circumstances, and in a manner supportive of principle 2 of the ecosystem approach;3 ;3.
Invites Parties to communicate and report on the implementation of the updated Plan ofAction on Subnational Governments, Cities and Local Authorities for Biodiversity, as appropriate, in theirnational reports under the Convention;
4.
Encourages Parties, and invites other stakeholders, including entities engaged indevelopment finance, to invest resources, support technology and knowledge transfer, and build capacity,
at the level of governance where they can be most effective;
5.
Urges Parties to support subnational governments, cities and local authorities instrengthening their capacities to improve the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity
Framework;
6.
Invites the Global Environment Facility to consider further expanding and strengthening
its sustainable cities initiatives in its future replenishments, and piloting land- and seascape level initiatives
targeted at subnational and local governance, infrastructure, biodiversity-inclusive spatial and land-use
planning, and urban-rural linkages, in accordance with the priorities identified in national biodiversity
strategies and action plans;
7.
Requests the Executive Secretary, subject to availability of resources, to undertake a reviewof the role of subnational governments, cities and other local authorities in the implementation of theobjectives of the Convention and its Protocols and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,and to submit the report to the Subsidiary Body on Implementation for consideration at a meeting held
before the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties;8.
Also requests the Executive Secretary, subject to the availability of resources, to facilitate
the work of the Global Partnership on Subnational and Local Governments for Biodiversity for theimplementation of the plan of action as adopted below.

3 Principle 2 of the ecosystem approach, adopted in decision V/6, annex, is “Management should be decentralized to the lowest

appropriate level.”CBD/COP/DEC/15/12
Page 3Annex

PLAN OF ACTION ON SUBNATIONAL GOVERNMENTS, CITIES AND OTHER
LOCAL AUTHORITIES FOR BIODIVERSITY (2023–2030)
A.

Background1.
The Plan of Action on Subnational Governments, Cities and Other Local Authorities forBiodiversity under the Convention on Biological Diversity (2023–2030) is intended to support Parties,subnational governments, cities and other local authorities and their partners in implementing theKunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The Plan of Action is intended to be implemented inaccordance with national legislation. The elements contained in the updated Plan of Action have been
identified through a series of consultations with Parties, subnational governments, cities and other localauthorities, and their networks and stakeholders, including the “Edinburgh Process”, and culminating withthe 7th Global Biodiversity Summit of Cities and Subnational Governments.4
B.
2.

Objectives

The Plan of Action has the following objectives:(a)
To increase the engagement of subnational governments, cities and other local authorities,
to support the successful implementation of, and reporting on, national biodiversity strategies and actionplans, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the programmes of work under theConvention on Biological Diversity;(b)
To improve regional and global coordination and exchange of lessons learned between
Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, regional and global organizations, United Nations anddevelopment agencies, academia, and donors on ways and means to encourage and support subnational
governments, cities and other local authorities to manage biodiversity sustainably, provide ecosystemservices to citizens and integrate biodiversity concerns into urban and territorial planning and development;(c)
To identify, enhance and disseminate policy tools, guidelines, financial mechanisms orinstruments, and programmes that facilitate subnational and local action on biodiversity and build thecapacity of subnational governments, cities and other local authorities to support their nationalGovernments in implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity, with respect to the competencies ofeach level of government;(d)
To facilitate the development of awareness-raising programmes on biodiversity in line withcommunication, education and public awareness strategies.
C.

Activities to engage subnational government, cities and other local authorities

3.
The catalogue of activities, grouped into seven interrelated and complementary action areas
presented below provides a framework based on which Parties, their subnational governments, cities andother local authorities and all stakeholders can develop their own actions to implement the Plan of Action.
As such, any activity is offered as a complement to their post-2020 biodiversity strategies, action plans andtargets. It is understood that activities will be implemented with respect to the competencies of each levelof government and according to each Party’s national and subnational context and circumstances.

4 This updated plan of action builds on the Plan of Action on Subnational Governments, Cities and Other Local Authorities forBiodiversity (2011–2020) endorsed in decision X/22, annex.

CBD/COP/DEC/15/12
Page 4Action area 1Development and implementation of biodiversity strategies and action plans reflecting theinvolvement of subnational governments, cities and other local authorities(a)
Involve subnational governments, cities and other local authorities in the process to revise andupdate national biodiversity strategies and action plans, for alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global
Biodiversity Framework and its subsequent implementation;(b)
Encourage subnational governments, cities and other local authorities to develop biodiversity
strategies and action plans in harmony with national biodiversity strategies and action plans.
Action area 2Collaboration between levels of government, and mainstreaming(a)Collaborate with subnational governments, cities and other local authorities to improve
harmonization of strategic planning, coordination and implementation between levels of government;(b)Collaborate with subnational governments, cities and other local authorities to support theimplementation of measures to mainstream biodiversity in line with relevant decisions of the Conferenceof the Parties;(c)Engage the Advisory Committee on Local Governments and Biodiversity and the Advisory
Committee on Subnational Governments and Biodiversity 5 to provide input and support to theimplementation of the Plan of Action from the point of view of local and subnational governments, cities
and other local authorities.
Action area 3Resource mobilization(a) Collaborate with subnational governments, cities and other local authorities to support the applicationof Principle 2 of the ecosystem approach in resource mobilization, where appropriate;6(b) Collaborate with subnational governments, cities and other local authorities, to create enabling
conditions for significantly increased private sector investment, and reforms that can introduce new revenue
streams for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration at the subnational and local levels.
Action area 4
Capacity development(a)Support subnational governments, cities and other local authorities in implementing capacity
development and technology transfer initiatives that contribute to the implementation of biodiversity
strategies and action plans and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Action area 5
Communication, education and public awareness(a)
Support subnational governments, cities and other local authorities in developing inclusive andaction-oriented communication, education and public awareness, public access to information andparticipation initiatives at the subnational and local levels, reconnecting nature and people in and aroundcities and regions.

5 Referred to in paragraph 7 of the Plan of Action on Subnational Governments, Cities and Other Local Authorities for

Biodiversity (2011-2020) endorsed in decision X/22, annex, and paragraph 0 of the present Plan of Action.
6 Principle 2 of the ecosystem approach, adopted in decision V/6, annex, is “Management should be decentralized to the lowest
appropriate level.”CBD/COP/DEC/15/12
Page 5Action area 6Assessment and improved information for decision-making(a)Invite the use of the Singapore Index on Cities’ Biodiversity as a self-assessment tool for city andlocal governments to benchmark and monitor the progress of their biodiversity conservation efforts against
their own individual baselines;(b)
Support subnational governments, cities and other local authorities in co-producing data, and ingaining and offering better access to data and scientific evidence and expertise to improve decision-making,enabled by improved capturing, analysis and reporting of local and landscape-based biodiversity data.
Action area 7
Monitoring and reporting(a)Encourage subnational governments, cities and other local authorities to use online commitment
and reporting platforms, such as RegionsWithNature and CitiesWithNature, 7 where subnational
governments can report on, and track progress against, their commitments to contributing to theimplementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and national biodiversity
strategies and action plans;(b)
Involve subnational governments, cities and other local authorities in the regular monitoring andreview of progress against targets specified in national biodiversity strategies and action plans;(c)Include contributions made by subnational governments, cities and other local authorities innational reports under the Convention on Biological Diversity;(d)Coordinate inputs from subnational governments, cities and other local authorities on theircontributions to achieving the objectives of the Convention and its Protocols and the Kunming-Montreal
Global Biodiversity Framework for the purposes of its mid-term review, including on the implementationof measures to mainstream biodiversity in line with relevant decisions of the Conference of the Parties.
D.

Implementation of the Plan of Action

4.
Parties and other Governments are urged to implement the Plan of Action, as appropriate, with thesupport of the Secretariat of the Convention and other key partners that convene subnational governments,
cities and other local authorities, such as ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, Regions4
Sustainable Development (Regions4), the Group of Leading Subnational Governments toward Aichi
Biodiversity Targets, and the European Union’s Committee of the Regions, considering national priorities,
capacities and needs.
5.
Implementation of the Plan of Action will also be supported by the Global Partnership on
Subnational and Local Governments for Biodiversity, an informal cooperative platform composed of United
Nations agencies and programmes, academic networks and institutions, and networks of subnational
governments, cities and local authorities, and facilitated by the Secretariat of the Convention on BiologicalDiversity.
6.
The Advisory Committee on Local Governments and Biodiversity and the Advisory Committee on
Subnational Governments and Biodiversity will provide input and support to the Plan of Action from thepoints of view of cities and local authorities and subnational governments, respectively, in recognition oftheir critical, complementary and distinct role in the implementation of the Convention. Both committees,recognized in the Plan of Action on Subnational Governments, Cities and Other Local Authorities for
Biodiversity (2011–2020) are open and free platforms with the sole objective of coordinating thecontribution and participation of government at these levels in processes under the Convention on
Biological Diversity.

7 Linked with the Sharm El-Sheikh to Kunming and Montreal Action Agenda for Nature and People.

CBD/COP/DEC/15/12
Page 67.
The Plan of Action recognizes the need to maintain flexibility in its approach to implementation inorder to accommodate changing national, subnational and local priorities, as well as future decisions of theConference of the Parties.
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