The potential for academic and research institutions to support the Kunming‐Montréal global biodiversity framework

The implementation of the Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) emphasizes a “whole‐of‐government and whole‐of‐society” approach to achieving ambitious goals and targets to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity. The Conference of the Parties to the CBD invites academic and research institutions to support the implementation of the KMGBF and has recently established regional Technical and Scientific Cooperation Centers to assist Parties in accessing academic advice. Yet, it remains to be determined to what extent and in what ways academic and research institutions can support the KMGBF, and how such support can be coordinated with the actions of the regional centers. Through a network analysis of the actors involved in the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans of 52 African countries, we assessed the expected contributions of academic institutions as knowledge providers and facilitators. Governments expect academics to play a key role in the national implementation of global biodiversity policies. Our analysis suggests that the roles of regional support centers and academic and research institutions are complementary in supporting the implementation of the KMGBF. As such, academic institutions can play a foundational role in creating structured mechanisms for both knowledge production and knowledge brokerage. Next to this study presenting our analysis and findings in academic style, we also provide decision makers and CBD Parties a two‐page Policy Brief summarizing the paper and its implications for practice.