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Achieving the Kunming–Montreal global biodiversity targets for blue carbon ecosystems

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Abstract

The Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) provides a major impetus for the restoration and conservation of blue carbon ecosystems to address the biodiversity and climate crises. In this Perspective, we translate the KM-GBF targets for blue carbon ecosystems into quantitative metrics, outline action that must be taken to achieve these goals and quantify the associated climate benefits. To achieve the KM-GBF targets, net mangrove, saltmarsh and seagrass losses of 187–190 km2, 76–126 km2 and 3,068–3,597 km2, respectively, must be avoided annually from 2030 onwards and 23,693–24,369 km2, 10,467–17,296 km2 and 90,601–106,215 km2 of these ecosystems must be restored. Achieving the KM-GBF targets would contribute 2.8% of the reduction of carbon emissions needed to limit anthropogenic warming to 2 °C by 2030. However, the cost of achieving the targets (US$520.1 billion yr–1) far exceeds the amount pledged ($200 billion yr–1) for all ecosystems. Thus, research is needed to develop cost-effective restoration and conservation technologies, along with innovative financial models to incentivize investments in nature. Additionally, blue carbon actions must be embedded within National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans to ensure that the targets are met.

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Fig. 1: Global instruments supporting the restoration and conservation of blue carbon ecosystems.
Fig. 2: Global distribution of blue carbon ecosystems and marine protected areas.
Fig. 3: Solutions and actions to address the loss of blue carbon ecosystems.
Fig. 4: Framework for achieving biodiversity targets for blue carbon ecosystems.

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Data availability

Mangrove, saltmarsh and seagrass distributions in Fig. 2 are from the Ocean Data Viewer (originally published in refs. 153,154), the MPA distribution is from the Protected Planet (December 2023) and the overlap between MPAs and BCEs was assessed using ArcGIS 10.7 (ESRI, Redlands, CA, USA).

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology with funding provided to C.M.D. (BAS/1/1071-01-01). The authors thank S. Schmidt-Roach for constructive feedback.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Chuancheng Fu, Alexandra Steckbauer, Hugo Mann & Carlos M. Duarte

  2. Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Chuancheng Fu, Alexandra Steckbauer, Hugo Mann & Carlos M. Duarte

  3. Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Chuancheng Fu, Alexandra Steckbauer, Hugo Mann & Carlos M. Duarte

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  1. Chuancheng Fu
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C.M.D. conceived the idea. C.F., A.S. and H.M. structured the study. C.F. and C.M.D. wrote the original manuscript with contributions from A.S. and H.M. All authors contributed to reviewing and editing of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Chuancheng Fu.

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Fu, C., Steckbauer, A., Mann, H. et al. Achieving the Kunming–Montreal global biodiversity targets for blue carbon ecosystems. Nat Rev Earth Environ 5, 538–552 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-024-00566-6

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