UNEP scaled up support for countries as they initiate the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), a landmark 2022 agreement to halt and reverse the loss of nature. 

UNEP supported 70 countries in updating their national biodiversity strategies and targets, which outline how countries will translate the agreement’s goals into action. As of November 2024, 52 UNEP-supported nations had submitted their revised national biodiversity targets. In May 2024, UNEP and China launched the Kunming Biodiversity Fund, which will provide financial and technical support to developing countries for the implementation of the GBF. China has committed about US$230 million to the fund, which has already approved projects in 15 countries. 

The international community has made some headway on the GBF target to protect 30 per cent of the Earth by 2030, but progress needs to accelerate, found the Protected Planet Report 2024. Some 18 per cent of land and inland waters and 8 per cent of ocean and coastal areas are within documented protected and conserved areas. However, a land area roughly the size of Brazil and Australia combined and a sea area larger than the Indian Ocean still need to be designated by 2030 to meet the global target. The quality and representativeness of the ecosystems and biodiversity protected is crucial, the report said. 

UNEP also supported the Brazilian G20 Presidency on the G20 Initiative on Bioeconomy, which promotes sustainable and inclusive economic growth through bioeconomic approaches. As part of this initiative, high-level principles were developed, providing a framework to ensure economic, social and environmental sustainability.