Key points:

COP 15 received unprecedented political attention, which was crucial for the successful adoption of a post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

Given the considerable disagreement leading up to COP15, the level of ambition in the targets adopted was surprising.

The targets are not equally ambitious: most of the targets that address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss are not quantitative.

COP 15 was not particularly successful in promoting the links between biodiversity and the fight against zoonotic diseases and biodiversity and climate change.

Countries now need to build on the momentum and start preparations for a new generation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans with national targets aligned with the GBF.