Informing Biodiversity Restoration: PML at the SBSTTA

11 October 2023

The CBD provides a global legal framework for action on biodiversity and dedicated to promoting sustainable development. It brings together the Parties in the Conference of the Parties (COP) to review progress in the implementation of the Convention, to adopt programmes of work, to achieve its objectives and provide policy guidance.  

Our Director of Science, Professor Steve Widdicombe, sits on the COP established ad hoc technical expert group (AHTEG), with a time-bound mandate until the sixteenth meeting of the COP, to advise on the further operationalization of the monitoring framework. 

The COP is assisted by the SBSTTA and the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI). The SBSTTA is made up of government representatives with expertise in relevant fields, as well as observers from non-Party governments, the scientific community, indigenous peoples and local communities, and other relevant organizations. SBSTTA is responsible for providing recommendations to the COP on the technical and scientific aspects of the implementation of the Convention. 

Matt’s attendance at this SBSTTA builds on his recent involvement with the Sustainable Ocean Initiative Workshop on Ocean-related Capacity-building Needs for the CBD COP15 outcome the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This workshop, where Matt was one of the speakers, aimed to identify and discuss various capacity needs related to the implementation and monitoring of the Framework in marine and coastal areas, including with respect to its goals, targets and indicators.  

Dr Frost said: “I am looking forward to taking part and contributing to the 25th SBSTTA on behalf of Plymouth Marine Laboratory. Informing the protection, restoration and sustainable use of biodiversity  is at the heart of what we do - and we are unique in our capability to link laboratory and field studies, satellite observations, physical and ecosystem modelling and socio-economics.” 

“This is building on our work undertaken with and for the CBD thus far. For example, satellite-derived ocean front maps generated by PML informed the Convention on Biological Diversity on setting scientific criteria for Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas, supporting the designation of national and international areas for the protection of large mobile marine species”.   

For more information on the SBSTTA see: https://www.cbd.int/sbstta/.