Tracking progress towards Target 6 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) – Reduce the Introduction of Invasive Alien Species by 50% and Minimize Their Impact –  requires indicators that are scientifically robust, operationally feasible, and relevant for policy and management. However, many Parties face significant challenges in developing and applying such indicators, including fragmented data sources, uneven taxonomic and geographic coverage, limited technical capacity, and uncertainty regarding minimum data requirements and methodological approaches.

During the B-Cubed workshop "From Data to Trends: Workshop on indicators and metrics for tracking biological invasions", a discussion was held to develop shared guidance for IAS indicator production for Target 6 of the GBF. Key challenges, messages, and recommendations were synthesised in a document published as an “Other” contribution to the Agenda Item 3(b) (Monitoring Framework) for the Twenty-eighth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-28), the scientific advisory meeting that feeds recommendations into decisions made under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Workshop participants identified key challenges, solutions, and good practices along the monitoring framework, listing four main aspects: (1) data required to calculate indicators for Target 6, (2) workflows from raw data to input data, (3) indicators for planning and prioritisation, and (4) reporting to inform decision-making.

The links between biodiversity monitoring systems, data, and indicators used to track progress and guide action stemming from the priorities in National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (CBD/SBSTTA/26/INF/19).

The main finding is that – although a significant gap exists between current data availability and the ambitions of the GBF monitoring framework – every Party has sufficient data to begin producing indicators as long as they are well-documented, moving from simple indicators to more advanced metrics as data availability and capacity improve. However, to achieve Target 6 of the GBF, a whole-of-government and whole-of-society engagement will be required, meaning that the indicators depend on integrated governance spanning data collection, management, and reporting across sectors. 

To ease this workflow, the document recommends using the practical guidance, workflow templates, and indicator resources developed through B-Cubed, and to engage with the technical networks and peer learning opportunities such initiatives provide.

Read the full document here.