Key African Priorities for a Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

This report outlines key priorities for Africa within the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, advocating for a shift toward natural capital accounting and nature-based solutions. It argues that the economic stimulus packages following the COVID-19 pandemic provide a unique window for a 'green stimulus' to restore ecological infrastructure and align development with the African Union's Agenda 2063.

• Africa requires a fundamental shift in development policy to incorporate national full-cost accounting of natural capital and ecological infrastructures. This is necessary to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES) which are essential for the continent's food, water, energy, health, and livelihoods.
• The extractives sector, including agriculture, is identified as the primary driver of environmental degradation globally, contributing to over 90% of biodiversity loss and freshwater stress, and more than 50% of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Current biodiversity governance through multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) has been ineffective. To address this, the report calls for a transition to integrated, cross-sectoral development planning rather than the current sector-based approach, which hinders effective resource management.
• The COVID-19 pandemic's required economic stimulus packages offer a strategic opportunity for a 'green stimulus' approach. This framework could create short-term jobs through the restoration of degraded forestlands and landscapes while providing long-term benefits in watershed protection and crop yields.
• Investment in nature-based solutions (NbS) should be the primary objective of future development planning to restore connectivity between natural habitats, improve ecosystem health, and enhance the delivery of life-support services.
• Climate change is expected to become the dominant driver of biodiversity change in Africa. The report notes that temperature changes in Southern Africa over the last 20–50 years have already reached levels predicted for 2035 and beyond, suggesting that current national adaptation strategies are too conservative.
• Illegal wildlife trade is a significant threat to African society and biodiversity, as it is exploited by international criminal networks, terrorist groups, and armed rebels to fund conflict and social instability.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2020). Key African Priorities for a Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. https://saiia.org.za/research/key-african-priorities-for-a-post-2020-global-biodiversity-framework/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Key African Priorities for a Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. 2020. https://saiia.org.za/research/key-african-priorities-for-a-post-2020-global-biodiversity-framework/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Key African Priorities for a Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework |date=21 May 2020 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/key-african-priorities-for-a-post-2020-global-biodiversity-framework/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2020key, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Key African Priorities for a Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2020}, month = may, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/key-african-priorities-for-a-post-2020-global-biodiversity-framework/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }