CHM - ORTThis action establishes a multidisciplinary National Biodiversity Task Force composed of professionals from relevant governmental and non-governmental agencies, with adequate support. It prepares for and conducts a National Consultative Process and compiles, based on its outputs, a detailed Action Plan focused on species and ecosystems.
The action recognizes that implementation of a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan requires full understanding, support and participation of local communities and stakeholders. It includes appointment of qualified staff, engagement of consultants to guide communications and consultation processes, and coordination across institutions.
The 2021 draft NBSAP revision indicates that the National Biodiversity Committee functioned from 1997 through 2008 and was reconstituted in 2018 to lead updating of the NBSAP. The Committee has engaged in national consultations for initiatives including the National Invasive Species Strategy, the National Implementation Support Partnership, the 2012 Master Plan for the Bahamas National Protected Area System, Ecological Gap Analyses and the 20 by 20 Marine Protection Plan.
The current Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) was identified as the Lead Agency. Support of the following partners was also envisioned: Department of Local Government, Department of Agriculture, Department of Fisheries, Department of Lands and Surveys, Department of Local Government, Department of Education, College of The Bahamas, Bahamas National Trust, Ministry of Finance, Water and Sewerage Corporation, other non-governmental organizations, and relevant regional and international organizations.
The primary policy measure to achieve this target is the formalization and operational strengthening of the National Biodiversity Task Force under the coordination of the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. This includes adoption of clear Terms of Reference, defined reporting obligations, and scheduled inter-ministerial meetings. The National Policy and Institutional Alignment Review with the Global Biodiversity Framework in The Bahamas identified fragmented coordination and limited institutionalized decision-tracking as barriers; therefore, strengthening horizontal governance mechanisms is central to implementation.
Additional actions include embedding biodiversity considerations into sectoral planning cycles (agriculture, fisheries, tourism, infrastructure), establishing a formal reporting line to Cabinet-level structures, and operationalizing a monitoring dashboard aligned with national targets. The Prioritized National Action Plan for Policy Coherence emphasizes the need to institutionalize coordination beyond project-based engagement to ensure continuity despite staff turnover and political transitions.
| Objectifs mondiaux | Degré d’alignement |
GBF-T14. GBF-T14.Veiller à la pleine prise en compte de la biodiversité et de ses multiples valeurs dans l'élaboration des politiques, des réglementations, des processus de planification et de développement, des stratégies d'élimination de la pauvreté, des évaluations environnementales stratégiques, des évaluations d’impact environnemental et, le cas échéant, dans la comptabilité nationale, à tous les niveaux de gouvernement et dans tous les secteurs, en particulier dans ceux qui ont d'importantes incidences sur la biodiversité, et aligner progressivement toutes les activités publiques et privées concernées, ainsi que les flux fiscaux et financiers, sur les objectifs et les cibles du présent cadre. | Moyen |
GBF-T22. GBF-T22.Assurer une représentation et une participation pleines et entières, équitables, inclusives, efficaces et tenant compte du genre des peuples autochtones et des communautés locales aux processus décisionnels, ainsi que leur accès à la justice et aux informations relatives à la biodiversité, dans le respect de leurs cultures et de leurs droits sur leurs terres, territoires, ressources et connaissances traditionnelles, tout en veillant à inclure les femmes et les filles, les enfants et les jeunes, ainsi que les personnes handicapées, et garantir la pleine protection des défenseurs et défenseuses des droits de l'homme en matière d'environnement. | Faible |
GBF-T20. GBF-T20.Accroître le renforcement et le développement des capacités, l'accès aux technologies et leur transfert, et promouvoir l’innovation et la coopération technique et scientifique et l'accès à celles-ci, notamment dans le cadre de la coopération Sud-Sud, Nord-Sud et triangulaire, afin favoriser une mise en œuvre efficace, en particulier dans les pays en développement, en encourageant la collaboration dans le développement de technologies et l'élaboration de programmes de recherche scientifique en matière de conservation et d'utilisation durable de la biodiversité et en renforçant les capacités de recherche scientifique et de suivi connexes, et veiller à ce que ces actions soient à la mesure de l'ambition des objectifs et des cibles du cadre mondial. | Moyen |
This target reflects national circumstances, priorities and capabilities through the proposed formal establishment or reactivation of a multi-sectoral coordination mechanism aligned with the national institutional framework. The National Biodiversity Committee functioned previously (1997–2008) and was reconstituted in 2018 to support updating of the NBSAP, demonstrating institutional precedent. The target is designed to enable a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach by providing a structured forum for coordination among ministries (Agriculture, Fisheries, Lands, Education, Finance), statutory bodies and non-governmental actors. However, sustained and institutionalized coordination remains under development. The proposed mechanism is intended to facilitate cooperation and synergies across sectors and contribute to a collective effort towards the targets, particularly in aligning biodiversity objectives with sectoral planning processes. Structured reporting procedures and coordination functions are expected to support science and innovation, including improved monitoring and institutional learning. Implementation remains constrained by limited dedicated financing, staff turnover, and the absence of fully formalized accountability and reporting mechanisms, as identified in the Prioritized National Action Plan for Policy Coherence. |
Alignment with Global Goal D (Means of implementation and enabling conditions)
Degree of alignment: Low to Medium
Action Two envisions the establishment of a multidisciplinary National Biodiversity Task Force to coordinate biodiversity planning and guide the consultative process. During the Nassau validation sessions, participants confirmed strong support for formally reconstituting such a coordination mechanism, and a proposal to do so will accompany the NBSAP Revision scheduled for submission in June 2026.
However, the coordination body is not currently operational. As a result, enabling conditions for sustained inter-agency coordination, integrated monitoring, and structured reporting remain limited. Alignment with Goal D is therefore aspirational and forward-looking, rather than reflective of an already functioning implementation mechanism.
Alignment with GBF Target 22 (Participation in decision-making, access to information and justice)
Degree of alignment: Low, with progression under NBSAP revision
Action Two provides for the preparation of a National Consultative Process, which aligns in principle with the participation elements of Target 22. The Nassau validation sessions demonstrate that consultative engagement can be mobilized for biodiversity-related processes.
However, there is no permanent, institutionalized mechanism currently in place to ensure systematic, equitable, and documented participation in biodiversity decision-making. Participation has occurred through discrete consultation events rather than through a standing governance framework.
Importantly, the draft revised NBSAP (2026–2030) now includes a dedicated national target corresponding directly to GBF Target 22, which commits to full and effective participation of local communities in biodiversity decision-making, benefit-sharing, and management arrangements. While this target remains under development and not yet formally adopted, it reflects a clear policy trajectory toward institutionalizing participation beyond ad hoc consultation.
Alignment with Target 22 is therefore currently limited in operational terms but strengthened at the strategic planning level through the NBSAP revision process.
Alignment with GBF Target 14 (Mainstreaming biodiversity across sectors)
Degree of alignment: Low to Medium, strengthening under NBSAP revision
Action Two is designed to create a cross-sector coordination platform capable of supporting biodiversity integration into national planning processes. Validation discussions confirmed broad recognition of the need for stronger inter-agency coordination.
Nevertheless, biodiversity mainstreaming remains largely strategic and not yet embedded in sector-level tools, budgets, or performance frameworks. Without an operational coordination body, integration remains fragmented.
The draft NBSAP revision includes a dedicated national target aligned with GBF Target 14, committing to full integration of biodiversity values into national and sectoral policies, including climate, tourism, fisheries, agriculture, infrastructure, land use and finance. This provides a clearer and more explicit mainstreaming mandate than exists under the 1999 NBSAP.
Alignment with Target 14 is therefore partial in implementation but conceptually strengthened through the revised NBSAP framework, pending formal adoption and operationalization.
Alignment with GBF Target 20 (Capacity-building and institutional strengthening)
Degree of alignment: Low to Medium
Action Two contributes conceptually to institutional capacity by proposing a structured coordination and consultation mechanism. The validation sessions confirmed strong support for strengthening coordination functions and for improving monitoring and reporting capacity.
At present, the absence of a functioning, formally mandated coordination body limits measurable institutional capacity gains.
However, the draft NBSAP revision introduces a dedicated national target aligned with GBF Target 20, committing to enhanced institutional capacity (skills, tools, infrastructure) for biodiversity planning, monitoring and enforcement, supported by regional and international cooperation. This signals a structured commitment to strengthening national implementation architecture.
Alignment with Target 20 is therefore foundational and strategically reinforced through the NBSAP revision process, but remains dependent on formal adoption, resourcing and implementation.
Responsible institutions
For the GBF targets aligned with this action (Targets 14, 20 and 22), the validation mapping identifies DEPP as the responsible institution. Government entities aligned to these targets include the University of The Bahamas (UB), the Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute (BTVI), the Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute (BAMSI), and other relevant legal and administrative bodies. No non-governmental stakeholders were formally mapped under This action.
No formal non-State actor commitments have been identified under this national target.
- Financial:
Limited dedicated financing for coordination functions; reliance on project-based funding. - Institutional:
Unclear mandates and overlapping coordination mechanisms; absence of standardized TORs; limited inclusion of non-government actors within formal governance structures. - Legal:
Existing legal frameworks allow coordination but do not formalize a permanent, integrated multi-sector coordination platform. - Technical:
Fragmented reporting systems; absence of standardized decision-tracking and inter-institutional communication protocols. - Governance:
Weak accountability and follow-up mechanisms; inconsistent participation across coordination bodies; limited institutional visibility of the central coordination function.