In 2002, at the 6th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 6) (Decision VI/26), governments throughout the world adopted the '2010 biodiversity target', "to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at global, regional and national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on Earth". This was target was later endorsed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), and has been included in Millennium Development Goal 7 (MDG7) under the ‘reducing biodiversity loss’ target. In Decision VIII/15 of CBD COP 8, a consortium of organizations was mandated to develop a suite of 22 key biodiversity indicators in seven focal areas to track the progress in achieving this target at a global level. This consortium forms part of the 2010 Biodiversity Indicators Partnership (2010 BIP).

The 2010 BIP now brings together over forty UN agencies, IGOs, NGOs, scientific institutions, Multilateral Environmental Agreements, and representatives of national governments (click here for the full list), as well as linking with other regional initiatives working towards similar objectives. Core funding to support the development of the indicators has been provided from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the European Commission (EC), with additional support from Partner organizations and numerous other sources.

As well as supporting the development of a number of well-established biodiversity indicators (such as the IUCN Red List Index and the Living Planet Index), a number of indicators are being initiated by the Partnership at the global level, these include an Invasive Alien Species indicator and an indicator on the Health and Well-being of Communities directly dependent on local ecosystem goods and services.

The 2010 BIP is also promoting the linkages between the global indicators and their applicability at the sub-global level. By providing guidance on the application of the 2010 indicator methodologies at the national and regional levels (see the Global & National Linkages section), the 2010 BIP can support biodiversity conservation activities at a more local level. In addition, the national and regional level data can potentially strengthen the global indicators.

Furthermore, the 2010 BIP encourages the collaboration between a wide range of organizations to achieve a common purpose.

While the original mandate for a Biodiversity Indicators Partnership came from the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), it has been recognized that there is far wider applicability for the initiative. To date, linkages have been made with the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora (CITES), the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Efforts are now on-going to review the options for integrating the indicators into the private sector.

The 2010 BIP is not building a database of primary data or basic trends relating to the suite of indicators. These will remain with the Key Indicator Partners.

It is, however, in the process of compiling the authoritative collection of scientifically-rigorous outputs and publications relating to the CBD suite of indicators. This information can be accessed via the Resources page.

The 2010 BIP has taken up the challenge presented by Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to produce a range of scientifically-rigorous indicators that monitor the trends of biodiversity in relation to the 2010 Biodiversity Target, the results of which will then be presented to the Parties in 2010 in order to inform current and future national policies on the conservation of biodiversity throughout the world.

By using a range of expert organizations from throughout the globe, as well as the instigation of a Scientific Advisory Body, the data used and the indicators developed will adhere to the highest scientific standards. In this way, the outputs of the Partnership can be presented to the Parties of the CBD in an clear and concise manner.

The governments party to the CBD have requested and are expecting the suite of indicators to be developed by 2010 and are therefore committed to taking the results of the initiative on board when developing national level policies in support of biodiversity conservation.

The 2010 BIP is also actively engaging with other Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) processes and the commercial sector to ensure the widest possible audience for the initiative.

The role of the Scientific Advisory Body is to review data and methodology standards within the context of the 2010 BIP project.
Specifically, it will:

• review and advise on the development plans and outputs for each indicator;
• advise on quality assurance for each indicator to be delivered and disseminated to a global audience as part of the 2010 BIP project.

The Secretariat of the 2010 BIP is hosted by the UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre in Cambridge, U.K. Contact details for the Secretariat are available here.

The 2010 BIP provides an opportunity for a wide range of organizations to come together to achieve a common purpose, in addition to providing the Key Indicator Partners with funding, through support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), to carry out technical development of their indicators. It also encourages the individual Partners to collaborate in terms of both data sharing and producing cohesive messages on trends in biodiversity.

Furthermore, the Partnership highlights and gives the Key Indicator Partners access to other, similar, indicator initiatives throughout the globe, while similarly providing a reciprocal opportunity for regional or local initiatives working within or around the CBD indicators framework.

Key Indicator Partners

The role of Key Indicator Partners is to lead the development and implementation of individual indicators in the suite measuring progress towards the 2010 target that are receiving funding through the 2010 BIP project from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Some Key Indicator Partners are responsible for just one indicator, while others are taking the lead on the development of more than one.

No new Key Indicator Partners are being sought at this time.

Associate Indicator Partners

The roles of the Associate Indicator Partners are to develop and implement biodiversity indicators that relate to, but are not yet part of, the suite measuring progress towards the 2010 target and/or to provide technical support to the Partnership.

Affiliate Partners

The Affiliate Partners are developing indicators in line with the CBD framework, but at a different scale. While the 2010 BIP indicators are focusing at the global level, the Affiliate Partners may be working at the regional or national level.

It is recognized that both the Affiliate Partners and the Key Indicator Partners can benefit through discussion, data sharing and collaboration on the development of their respective indicators.

For a more detailed description, or if your organization wishes to be considered as an Affiliate Partner, please contact the 2010 BIP Secretariat.

The Affiliate Partners are developing indicators in line with the CBD framework, but at a different scale. While the 2010 BIP indicators are focusing at the global level, the Affiliate Partners may be working at the regional or national level.

It is recognized that both the Affiliate Partners and the Key Indicator Partners can benefit through discussion, data sharing and collaboration on the development of their respective indicators.

For a more detailed description, or if your organization wishes to be considered as an Affiliate Partner, please contact the 2010 BIP Secretariat.

While membership of the 2010 BIP is restricted, we are still open to receiving feedback, comments and suggestions on the work of the Partnership. Please contact the 2010 BIP Secretariat in the first instance and we will redirect your enquiry to the appropriate member.

In addition, the 2010 BIP is frequently represented at major events relating to its programme of work, which can provide excellent opportunities to meet and hold discussions with members of the Partnership. To keep up to date with the activities and upcoming appearances of the 2010 BIP, subscribe to the newsletter, BIPNews, and regularly check the News page on the website.

To keep up to date with the activities of the 2010 BIP, subscribe to the newsletter, BIPNews, and regularly check the News page on the website.

There are a number of products available for use by members of the Partners and media in production of outputs or communication materials. These can be found on the Resources page.

To view a list of acronyms and what they stand for click here.