By 2030, Dominica aims to integrate climate and biodiversity action by scaling up Nature-based Solutions, Ecosystem-based Adaptation and ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction, protecting climate refugia, and reducing climate-driven impacts on ecosystems and species. The target aims to strengthen resilience across forests, agricultural landscapes, fisheries, reefs, wetlands and watersheds. Protecting climate refugia—areas that provide relatively favourable conditions as the climate changes—and maintaining ecological connectivity will support species persistence and ecosystem recovery. Implementation will also sustain essential services, including water supply, food production and natural protection against climate-related hazards.

Dominica aims to integrate biodiversity considerations and ecosystem-based approaches into climate, disaster risk reduction, sectoral and development planning, including post-disaster recovery. Priority actions include assessing ecosystem and species vulnerability, identifying climate refugia and ecological corridors, and using this information to guide protection, restoration and investment decisions. Implementation will expand appropriate Nature-based Solutions, Ecosystem-based Adaptation and ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction measures. These include restoring forests, watersheds and wetlands; maintaining natural coastal buffers; supporting sustainable agricultural practices; and reducing pressures on vulnerable freshwater and marine ecosystems. Climate mitigation, adaptation and recovery investments will be assessed for biodiversity impacts and designed to minimise harm and support positive conservation outcomes. Technical standards, community participation and monitoring will guide implementation, long-term maintenance and adjustment of measures as conditions change.

Access to financial resources: Implementation requires sustained financing for vulnerability assessments, ecosystem protection and restoration, local action, monitoring and long-term maintenance.

Biodiversity and health: Resilient ecosystems support clean water, food security, protection from natural hazards and community well-being.

Collective effort towards the targets: The target promotes coordinated contributions across public institutions, businesses, research organisations and communities.

Consistency with international agreements or instruments: Implementation supports coherence between biodiversity objectives, climate action under the Paris Agreement and disaster risk reduction under the Sendai Framework.

Contribution and rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities: Implementation will recognise the rights, knowledge and priorities of the Kalinago people and local communities, supporting their participation in planning, restoration and monitoring.

Cooperation and synergies: The target connects biodiversity conservation with climate adaptation, mitigation, disaster risk reduction, water security and resilient livelihoods.

Ecosystem approach: Measures will address connections across landscapes and seascapes, maintaining habitats, ecological connectivity and ecosystem functions.

Intergenerational equity: Protecting climate refugia and strengthening ecosystem resilience helps sustain biodiversity, natural resources and livelihood opportunities for future generations.

National circumstances, priorities and capabilities: Implementation reflects Dominica’s mountainous island setting, exposure to hurricanes, floods and landslides, and reliance on climate-sensitive ecosystems and livelihoods.

Principles of the Rio Declaration: Precaution, prevention, environmental assessment and public participation will guide action, alongside recognition of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

Right to development: Ecosystem-based approaches will support resilient development, food security and livelihoods while reducing climate risks and protecting biodiversity.

Science and innovation: Vulnerability assessments, spatial information and ecosystem monitoring will guide priorities and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.

Whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach: Implementation promotes coordination across sectors and inclusive participation, including engagement with the Kalinago people and local communities in planning and delivery.

National Target 8 addresses major elements of GBF Target 8 through its focus on reducing climate-driven impacts on ecosystems and species, protecting climate refugia, and scaling Nature-based Solutions, Ecosystem-based Adaptation and ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction. These measures support biodiversity resilience and the continued provision of ecosystem services. The current target wording does not explicitly mention ocean acidification or distinguish the mitigation dimension of climate action. It also does not expressly state the need to minimise negative and support positive impacts of climate action on biodiversity. These are areas for clarification as implementation arrangements are developed, rather than evidence of deliberate exclusion. The proposed biodiversity safeguards and monitoring provide a basis for addressing the effects of climate investments on ecosystems and species.

No formal non-State actor commitments have been submitted towards this national target. Opportunities for voluntary contributions and partnerships can be further developed during implementation.

Additional financing, technical assistance and institutional capacity are needed to assess climate risks to biodiversity, identify priority sites and deliver effective ecosystem-based measures. Priorities include reliable baselines, mapping of climate refugia and ecological corridors, biodiversity safeguards, technical standards and monitoring of ecological and resilience outcomes. Sustained investment is also needed for ecosystem restoration, appropriate planting material, local implementation and long-term maintenance. Training, accessible community financing and coordinated information systems will support delivery and adaptive management. Implementation planning will need to account for data and capacity limitations, severe weather events and competing recovery priorities.