“It's been a long time since we've seen so many positive developments in such a short period. We may indeed be entering a turning point for nature”

While climate negotiations are at a standstill, something is happening on the nature front.

In a new study, researchers point to the years 2022–2025 as a possible turning point in global biodiversity management. They refer to greater political momentum, new institutions, and stronger rights for Indigenous peoples..

“We are seeing a different dynamic now than just a few years ago,” says Christian Prip, senior researcher at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute.

New momentum after the nature agreement in Montreal

In 2022, countries adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, often described as nature’s equivalent to the Paris Agreement. 

The goal is to protect 30 per cent of the world’s land and sea areas by 2030. It also aims to strengthen the rights and role of Indigenous peoples and local communities.

According to Prip, the agreement has acted as a catalyst. It has created political direction, legitimacy, and space for new mechanisms to develop across the UN system. 

The researchers behind the new article argue that the past few years have shown a level of ambition and innovation rarely seen in international environmental politics.

Halt to deep-sea mining

One clear example is the emerging 'moratorium,' a politically decided temporary halt, on deep-sea mining.

For decades, companies have wanted to extract minerals from the ocean floor. In recent years, however, an increasing number of countries have called for a pause until the effects on marine ecosystems are better understood.

In 2024, the parties to the Convention on Migratory Species adopted a resolution urging governments not to support deep-sea mining. 

For many, this signalled a shift towards prioritising long-term ocean health over short-term resource extraction.

Digital genetic data and fairness

Another area that has taken major steps forwards is digital sequence information (DSI), which refers to digital data about genetic resources. 

Such data is widely used in everything from medicine development to artificial intelligence, and has long been a major point of contention in international negotiations.

Under the Convention on Biological Diversity, countries have the right to regulate access to their own genetic resources and to share in the profits when they are used commercially. This system has worked well for physical samples.

“Now much of this happens digitally. Researchers and companies can use genetic data without collecting material from nature," says Prip.

The transition to digital sequences has therefore changed the conditions for countries and Indigenous peoples actually receiving a share of the benefits.

Indigenous peoples gain a seat at the table

For the first time, the parties to the biodiversity convention have established a dedicated advisory body for Indigenous peoples and local communities. 

It will provide advice directly to decision-makers on how their rights and knowledge can be better safeguarded.

Prip notes that Indigenous peoples manage some of the world’s most biodiverse areas, making their inclusion essential.

A rare moment of progress

The contrast to other environmental negotiations is striking. While work on a global plastics treaty has stalled and there is slow movement in climate talks, biodiversity governance has advanced.

The researchers argue that this is due to the combination of clear goals, broad cooperation, and a shared recognition that the loss of nature threatens the foundations of human well-being.

“It's been a long time since we've seen so many positive developments in such a short period,” Prip says. “We may indeed be entering a turning point for nature.”

Reference:

Rabitz et al. 'A turning point in global biodiversity governance?' Environmental Politics, 2025. DOI: 10.1080/09644016.2025.2565867 (Abstract)

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