About the GSPC
The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation is a programme of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
In 2010, the Conference of the Parties to the CBD, by Decision X/17, adopted the Updated Global Strategy for Plant Conservation 2011-2020. The Strategy’s vision is to halt the continuing loss of plant diversity and to secure a positive, sustainable future where human activities support the diversity of plant life (including the endurance of plant genetic diversity, survival of plant species and communities and their associated habitats and ecological associations), and where in turn the diversity of plants support and improve our livelihoods and well-being.
The Strategy includes 16 outcome-oriented global targets set for 2020, and provides a framework to facilitate harmony between existing initiatives aimed at plant conservation, to identify gaps where new initiatives are required, and to promote mobilization of the necessary resources. The global targets for 2011–2020 should be viewed as a flexible framework within which national and/or regional targets may be developed, according to national priorities and capacities, and taking into account differences in plant diversity between countries.
The vision of the GSPC is:
"Without plants, there is no life. The functioning of the planet, and our survival, depends on plants. The Strategy seeks to halt the continuing loss of plant diversity."
The mission of the GSPC is:
"The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation is a catalyst for working together at al levels - local, national, regional and global - to understand, conserve and use sustainably the world's immense wealth of plant diversity whilst promoting awareness and building the necessary capacities for its implementation."
The GSPC has 5 main objectives:
- Plant diversity is well understood, documented and recognized.
- Plant diversity is urgently and effectively conserved.
- Plant diversity is used in a sustainable and equitable manner.
- Education and awareness about plant diversity, its role in sustainable livelihoods and importance to all life on Earth is promoted.
- The capacities and public engagement necessary to implement the strategy have been developed.
The Strategy considers plants in the terrestrial, inland water and marine environments. Further, the Strategy applies to the three primary levels of biological diversity as recognized by the Convention, hence plant genetic diversity, plant species and communities and their associated habitats and ecosystems.
While the Strategy addresses the plant kingdom with main focus on higher plants, and other well-described groups such as bryophytes and pteridophytes; Parties, other Governments and other relevant stakeholders may consider developing conservation strategies for other groups such as algae and fungi (including lichen-forming species).
The implementation of the Strategy should be considered within the broader framework of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. Similarly, the mechanisms required to enable Parties, partners and other stakeholders to effectively implement the Convention and to monitor progress in implementation under this new Strategic Plan will be also relevant for this Strategy.
A fact sheet on the GSPC has been developed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This fact sheet is designed to be a straight forward guide to the updated GSPC, particularly for members of IUCN’s Plant Specialist groups. At the end of the fact sheet there are some suggestions on how the GSPC can be used to improve support and action for the conservation of wild plants.
Download the fact sheet in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese.
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