Carpathian Biodiversity Framework

Below is a comprehensive compilation of tasks and activities contributing to the implementation of the CBF, and in extension, to the KMGBF, to guide Parties in their implementation of the Carpathian Convention and its Protocols

This lists actions for implementing the GBF in the Carpathian region, translating each relevant Global Target according to the Carpathian Convention and its CBF by 2030. The following actions were selected according to the current Carpathian Convention Programme of Work, COP6 Decisions, existing strategies and action plans. Some actions that are not yet embedded in the Carpathian Convention instruments might be submitted to the COP7 for consideration as a part of the new PoW. This annex is a rolling document, subject to regular revision and updates.    

Carpathian Convention:
Carpathian Convention Art. 5, Art. 6 
Protocol on Sustainable Transport - Article 4 

Carpathian Convention relevant activities

-    Implement the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2021 – 2026 for the implementation of the Protocol on Sustainable Transport: 

a)    Conduct trainings on ecological connectivity and sustainable spatial planning in the Carpathians, including transboundary cooperation (stressing the necessity of protection of migration corridors in spatial planning, especially when building new transport infrastructure).

b)    Develop a Carpathian code of good practice in spatial planning and recommendations from positive case studies for spatial planning authorities, so that ecological connectivity and the protection of areas of high biodiversity importance are enhanced.
c)    Develop a transboundary project on producing harmonized spatial plans for selected border communities of neighbouring Parties (pilot studies).
d)    Organize cross-sectoral meetings of WG Biodiversity, WG Spatial Planning, WG Transport regularly.
e)    Act on the detailed recommendations for the implementation of the Carpathian Convention Protocol on Sustainable Transport
f)    Consider and contribute to the implementation of the Guidelines how to minimize the impact of transport infrastructure development on nature in the Carpathian countries.
g)    Contribute to the implementation of the State of the Art Report and Gap Analysis in the field of environmentally friendly transport infrastructure development (TRANSGREEN project).
h)    Contribute to the implementation of the Handbook of Best Practices for Planning and Implementing Mitigation Measures regarding Landscape Connectivity (SaveGREEN project).

-    Exchange the best available information on the science and engineering of forest transport infrastructure bilaterally and multilaterally. Such scientific and technical exchanges will focus on the development of guidelines for forest road and skid trail planning, design, maintenance, and management in the Carpathians, including economic, ecological, and operational considerations.

-    Mainstream ecological connectivity objectives into spatial and development planning in the fields of transport, energy, river basin management, and tourism, including training and research.

-    Promote and ensure integrated water resource management and preservation and climate change adaptation as core principles of spatial planning, especially for protecting water-dependent biodiversity and habitats. 

-    Halt future land use changes by developing and responding to scenarios of climate change and demographic change.

-    Support traditional land management approaches in the Carpathians by mapping and understanding their practices. 

Carpathian Convention:
Carpathian Convention Art. 4
Protocol on Biodiversity, Art.4, Art.8, Art.10 - 
Protocol on Sustainable Forest Management. Art. 10, Art 13,

Carpathian Convention relevant activities

-    Consider the restoration of the Carpathian habitats in the National Restoration Plans across the Carpathian countries (EU Nature Restoration Law)

-    Develop a project proposal for restoring degraded habitats in the Carpathians

-    Identify and prioritise degraded habitats in the Carpathians within the national territory of each Party, restoration of which is conducive for achieving other objectives of the Biodiversity Protocol, to improve connectivity between existing protected areas;
Expected Actions:
a) Identify degraded habitats and draft a priority list;
b) Expand feasibility studies, proposals for site-specific restoration measures and management plans

-    Update the provisional list of endangered natural and semi-natural habitat types native to the Carpathians (Carpathian Red List of Habitats)

-    Map further and protect virgin and natural forest in the Carpathians and extend the Inventory of Virgin Forest of the Carpathian of other degrees of naturalness, including natural forest 

-    Identify and prioritise degraded forest habitats in the Carpathians, restoration of which is necessary for improving and ensuring connectivity between existing protected areas

-    Promote restoration of close-to-nature forests/ecological silviculture: 
a.    To encourage the synergy between science and practice in close-to-nature forestry, ensuring wider integration into professional education and advancing training programmes for the forestry staff;
b.    To improve the regulatory and legal framework for the close-to-nature forestry transition, which seeks to manage mixed and uneven-aged forests by planting non-invasive species that are resilient to climate change, gradually withdrawing from clear-cutting, and modernising equipment of state-owned forestry enterprises and the relevant road network;
c.    To prioritise forests for the implementation of close-to-nature forestry
Expected Actions:
a) Establish programmes for protecting and reintroducing rare native forest tree species in their natural ecosystems;
b) Share best practices related to close-to-nature forestry among the Carpathian countries;
c) Increase the number of areas where close-to-nature forestry is applied

-    Restore and safeguard ecological connectivity 
a.    Further implement and revise, as appropriate, the International Action Plan on Conservation of Large Carnivores and Ensuring Ecological Connectivity
b.    Use the Methodology for the Identification of Ecological Corridors in the Carpathian Countries by Using Large Carnivores as Umbrella Species
c.    Use the Methodology for Standardised Monitoring of Ecological Corridors 

-    Reintroduce species native to the Carpathians.

-    Strengthen cooperation with the Carpathian Wetland Initiative on wetland conservation, restoration and maintenance. Identify priority actions for wetland restoration and develop and implement common long-term projects for conservation, maintenance, restoration and sustainable use of wetland habitats and species to be jointly undertaken in the Carpathians, particularly in border areas and transboundary protected areas

-    Increase involvement with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration for awareness raising and possible upscaling of restoration activities in line with the provisions of the Carpathian Convention and in consultation with the Parties

Carpathian Convention:
Protocol on Biodiversity Art. 9, Art.14 
Forest Management – Art. 10 

Carpathian Convention relevant activities

-    Include the Carpathians in countries pledges for several targets in the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, including the expansion of protected areas by 30%, if relevant

-    Help build the Trans-European Nature Network (within the NaturaConnect project) to ensure conservation of protected areas:
a)    contribute to mapping of large, coherent landscapes with wilderness features and terrestrial and aquatic ecological corridors between protected areas, especially Natura 2000 sites and other natural sites of international and national importance
b)    further activities to be added within the project implementation.

-    Strengthen the management of existing protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs)

-    Support identification and designation of additional protected areas and OECMs, while supporting the effective management of existing ones, to bridge gaps in the regional ecological corridor system, as requested by the EU Biodiversity Strategy:

-    Strengthen the Carpathian Network of the Protected Areas:
a.    Ensure sound and effective governance of the CNPA, by establishing an association supporting the CNPA operations, 
b.    Establish thematic working groups within the CNPA to focus on substantive work of the Network,
c.    Develop and implement common projects and programmes to enhance cooperation and joint actions among CNPA Members, particularly in transboundary protected areas in the Carpathians, 
d.    Encourage the expansion of existing transboundary protected areas or creation of new transboundary protected areas in the Carpathians,

-    Consider and contribute to the implementation of the Carpathian strategy for enhancing biodiversity and landscape conservation outside and inside protected areas: Full document | Factsheet (Centralparks)

-    Consider and  contribute to the implementation of the Strategy for local sustainable tourism development based on natural and cultural heritage of the Carpathians: Full document | Factsheet (Centralparks)

-    Consider and contribute to the implementation of the Guidelines on communication between protected areas and local communities in the Carpathian – full document (Centralparks)

-    Consider and contribute to the implementation of the Carpathian Ecosystem Services Tool  (Centralparks)

-     Strengthen cooperation between relevant networks of protected areas, particularly CNPA, ALPARC, DANUBEPARKS and Parks Dinarides on topics of common interest, especially on ecological connectivity, exchanges on protected areas management, education and other topics

-    Update the inventory of virgin forest in the Carpathians regularly, and extend it of other degrees of naturalness, particularly natural forests, according to the Carpathian Convention definitions and criteria 

-    Cooperate on development of ecological network, habitat continuity and connectivity in the Carpathians in regard to wetlands, including integrating the management of Ramsar Sites, designating new Ramsar Sites (including transboundary sites), expanding existing sites, and maintaining and restoring wetlands

-    Improve the management and sustainable use of wetlands in the Carpathians

Carpathian Convention:
Protocol on Biodiversity Art.11, Art.12 

Carpathian Convention relevant activities

-    Implement and review, if necessary, the International Action Plan on Conservation of Large Carnivores and Ensuring Ecological Connectivity, particularly to:
a)    Standardize monitoring procedures of large carnivores in the Carpathians
b)    Improve coexistence of humans with large carnivores
c)    Improve law enforcement with respect to the illegal killing of large carnivores

-    Support implementation of the LECA project on supporting the coexistence and conservation of the Carpathian large carnivores, particularly to: 
a)    Consult, adopt and implement thematic guidance monitoring large carnivores
b)    Consult, adopt and implement thematic guidance on poaching investigation
c)    Consult, adopt and implement thematic guidance on human – wildlife conflict prevention
d)    Consult, adopt and implement recommendations for the implementation of the Carpathian Convention on large carnivores 

-    Update the provisional list of the Carpathian Red List of Species, if possible

-    Support the co-existence of wildlife and pastoralism in the Carpathians

Carpathian Convention:
Protocol on Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development, Art. 12 

Carpathian Convention relevant activities

-    Implement and review, if necessary, the International Action Plan on Conservation of Large Carnivores and Ensuring Ecological Connectivity, particularly to:
a)    Improve law enforcement with respect to the illegal killing of large carnivores

-    Take into account the results of the project SwiPE on successful wildlife crime prosecution in Europe
-    Consider the recommendations of the report  Combating Wildlife and Forest Crime in the Danube-Carpathian Region)

Carpathian Convention:
Protocol on Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development, Art. 12 

Carpathian Convention relevant activities

Possible action on IAS to be discussed with the WG Biodiversity 

Carpathian Convention:
Carpathian Convention Art. 5, Art. 6 

Carpathian Convention relevant activities 

-    Address plastic pollution issues and the cross-border impact of pollution, particularly in the transboundary rivers, to: 
a)    Strengthen cooperation between countries in the Tisza River basin to find common solutions on monitoring, controlling and preventing plastic pollution in the river, as a possible demonstration case. 
b)    Establish effective partnerships at various levels (e.g. public, private, civil society) to increase community and stakeholder action at the local level to protect, restore and sustain river ecosystem health. 

-    Consider the UNEA 5.2 Resolution on End plastic pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument (UNEP/EA.5/Res.14) while implementing the Carpathian Convention

Carpathian Convention:
Carpathian Convention Art.12bis 
Forest Management – Art. 14 

Carpathian Convention relevant activities 
-    Implement the Implementation Framework 2030 accompanying the Long-term Vision 2030 towards combating climate change in the Carpathians.

-    Implement the policy recommendations proposed by the Assessment of climate change risks and impacts on the Carpathian forests and their ecosystem services (translate the recommendations into project proposals, if possible)

-    Identify, promote and implement nature-based solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation, especially in transboundary areas across the Carpathian region

-    Test and collect best practices for applying nature-based solutions in the forest sector

-    Assess the vulnerability of Carpathian wetlands to climate change to identify wetlands most at risk to climate change impacts, and propose and implement measures for climate adaptation and mitigation

Carpathian Convention:
Protocol on Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development, Art. 12
 

Carpathian Convention relevant activities

Actions to be further proposed, if relevant 

Carpathian Convention:
Protocol on Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development, Art. 9, Art. 11,  Art. 15 
 

Carpathian Convention relevant activities

-    Support and promote Carpathian pastoralism towards the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP), 2026 

-    Undertake activities realizing the priority topics for the implementation of the SARD Protocol 
a)    Models for farm-to-fork/short-food supply chains best practices 
b)    Quality schemes and certification of „Mountain Products”
c)    Associations for farmers and food producers in the mountain area to share benefits and best practice models

To be further developed, if relevant

Carpathian Convention relevant activities 

-    Promote nature-based solutions (NbS) and/or ecosystem-based approaches in the Carpathians by:
a)    Preparing an assessment on NbS in the Carpathians and its benefits, including a collection of best practices 
b)    Adapting national legislation to prioritise the implementation of NbS
c)    Developing joint activities/projects on NbS, e.g.  on wetlands restoration with CWI, Ramsar Convention and ICPDR 
d)    Considering NbS in other sectors, such as agriculture (certain agro-ecological practices) and grassland and natural forest restoration 
e)    Conducting outreach and awareness-raising campaigns on NbS and the related benefits for communities, civil servants, students     Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: 

Carpathian Convention:
Protocol on Biodiversity Art.5 

Carpathian Convention relevant activities 
-    Mainstream biodiversity within and across sectors by using the integrated approach of the Carpathian Convention 
a)          Establish national interregional committees in the Carpathian countries to ensure full integration of biodiversity into relevant sectoral policies and planning and development processes
b)    Organize regular intersectoral meetings within the framework of the Carpathian Convention     Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: 

Carpathian Convention:
Carpathian Convention Art. 13; 
Protocol on Biodiversity Art. 24 - 

Carpathian Convention relevant activities
-    Support the Carpathian Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Expert Network by incorporating their recommendations, including:
a)    Exchanging experiences and sharing best practices in eco-education
b)    Creating Carpathian Convention-related materials for schools, universities, and parks
c)    Creating a database of ESD experts to help increase ESD in quality education
d)    Producing a representative (National Geographic Style) map of the Carpathians, with information on nature protection and culture, to be sold across the Carpathian countries so that visitors in protected areas and other tourist destinations or educational initiatives can get the holistic picture of the region

-    Organize and celebrate Carpathian Day/Carpathian Week in each Carpathian country to highlight Carpathian biodiversity via educational and awareness-raising activities. 

-    Collaborate with protected areas and other biodiversity stakeholders to exchange best practices and experiences among the engaged parties and partners

-    Liaison further with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Steering Committee on ESD as relevant, and explore collaboration with the Global Education Network Europe (GENE)

Carpathian Convention:
Protocol on Biodiversity Art. 21, 
Protocol on Sustainable Forest Management – Art. 20;
Protocol on Sustainable Tourism – Art. 27;
Protocol on Sustainable Transport – Art. 17; 
Protocol on Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development, Art. 19 

Carpathian Convention relevant activities

-    Increase financial resources, whether national, international, public, or private funds, to further implement the Convention    Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: 
 

Carpathian Convention:
Protocol on Biodiversity Art. 18, Art. 19;
Protocol on Sustainable Forest Management Art. 18, Art. 19;
Protocol on Sustainable Tourism - Art 19;
Protocol on Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development, Art. 17 

Carpathian Convention relevant activities
-    Strengthen capacity building and knowledge sharing 

-    Develop joint scientific research programmes relevant for the Carpathians and other mountain regions (Carpathian Horizon project) 

-    Strengthen scientific research and monitoring capacities
 

Carpathian Convention:
Protocol on Biodiversity Art. 18, Art.19, Art. 24;
Protocol on Sustainable Forest Management Art. 18, Art. 19, Art 21;
Protocol on Sustainable Tourism - Art 18, Art. 19, 
Protocol on Sustainable Transport – Art. 18;
Protocol on Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development, Art. 17, Art. 16, Art. 20 

Carpathian Convention relevant activities 

-    Ensure efficient and consistent implementation of the Carpathian Convention at the national level, especially when raising awareness about the Carpathian Convention and its activities among relevant governmental entities, practitioners and the general public

-    Promote and support the implementation of the Carpathian Convention across sectors at the regional and local level, encouraging active engagement from regional and local authorities and other stakeholders 

-    Establish outreach programmes targeting local and regional authorities, universities and other relevant stakeholders to increase their awareness of the importance of the protection and sustainable development of the Carpathian region and of the Convention’s activities

-    Promote strategic cooperation of the Carpathian countries as a key factor for sustainable development of the Carpathians 

-    Establish and implement projects to foster more exchange between the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Caucasus Mountains, the Carpathians and other mountain regions

-    Strengthen science–policy–practice interface to enhance the implementation of the Carpathian Convention by creating synergies between its stakeholders and promoting inter-sectoral cooperation, such as stronger collaboration with the Science for the Carpathians network

-    Consider the Science for the Carpathians (S4C) Research Agenda for the Carpathians 2022 – 2030 recommendations.

-    Support and strengthen stronger participation of S4C in Carpathian Convention activities, and closer collaboration between S4C and the Convention Secretariat, Focal Points, Working Groups (WG) and other partners.

-    Support stronger collaborations with other mountain research networks, such as the Scientific Network for the Caucasus Mountain Region (SNC-mt)1, the International Scientific Committee on Research in the Alps (ISCAR), and the Mountain Research Initiative (MRI)

-    Develop and promote the Carpathian Countries Integrated Biodiversity Information System (CCIBIS)

-    Collaborate with the European Environment Agency and other relevant partners and stakeholders to ensure access to best available data, information and knowledge