By 2030, Dominica aims to identify, phase out or reform incentives and subsidies harmful to biodiversity and redirect support towards biodiversity-friendly and sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry, tourism and land management. The target aims to align economic incentives with conservation and sustainable use, reducing pressures on ecosystems while supporting resilient livelihoods. Implementation will assess both financial support and other arrangements that influence resource use decisions. Reforms will be evidence-based, proportionate and equitable, with attention to community needs and the social objectives served by existing support.

Dominica aims to undertake a national review of incentives and subsidies affecting biodiversity. The review will assess their purposes, financial values where measurable, and ecological and social effects, distinguishing beneficial, neutral, potentially harmful and harmful measures. Findings will guide a reform roadmap with clear priorities, responsibilities and timelines. Measures with the greatest adverse effects will receive priority attention. Where support serves important livelihood or social objectives, redesign and appropriate transition assistance will help maintain these benefits while reducing biodiversity pressures. Implementation will expand positive incentives for conservation, restoration and sustainable production. Options will include appropriate grants, financing, procurement preferences and stewardship arrangements, supported by clear eligibility criteria and measurable outcomes. Consultation and transparent reporting will guide reform. Monitoring will track changes in incentives, resources redirected, biodiversity pressures and the distribution of benefits and costs.

Access to financial resources: The target supports more effective use of available resources by redirecting harmful incentives towards conservation, restoration and sustainable production.

Collective effort towards the targets: Implementation promotes coordinated action across public institutions, businesses, resource users and communities.

Consistency with international agreements or instruments: Reform will support the Convention on Biological Diversity’s objectives and relevant commitments on incentives for conservation and sustainable use.

Contribution and rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities: Measures will recognise Kalinago rights, governance, customary sustainable use and community priorities, supporting meaningful participation and equitable access to positive incentives.

Cooperation and synergies: The target connects fiscal policy with sustainable production, pollution reduction, ecosystem restoration and biodiversity finance.

Different value systems: Assessments will consider ecological, economic, cultural and subsistence values, including benefits not readily captured by market prices.

Ecosystem approach: Reform will consider effects across connected landscapes and seascapes, including cumulative pressures arising from incentives in different sectors.

Fulfilment of the three objectives of the Convention and its Protocols, and their balanced implementation:The target contributes primarily to conservation and sustainable use. Coordination with relevant benefit-sharing measures can support the wider objectives of the Convention.

Human rights-based approach: Reforms will promote transparency, participation and non-discrimination, with attention to vulnerable groups, livelihood impacts and accessible channels for raising concerns.

Intergenerational equity: Reducing incentives for ecosystem degradation will help maintain biodiversity, natural resources and livelihood opportunities for future generations.

National circumstances, priorities and capabilities: Implementation reflects Dominica’s limited fiscal space, disaster vulnerability and reliance on biodiversity-based livelihoods.

Principles of the Rio Declaration: Precaution, polluter responsibility, public participation and recognition of environmental costs will guide incentive assessment and reform.

Right to development: Reforms will support viable livelihoods and sustainable economic activity by improving the design of assistance and reducing environmental harm.

Science and innovation: Incentive inventories, economic analysis and ecological and social assessments will inform priorities and evaluate the effectiveness of reforms.

Whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach: Implementation promotes institutional coordination and inclusive engagement, including participation by the Kalinago people and local communities in assessment, design and monitoring.

National Target 18 addresses the main directions of GBF Target 18 through identification, phase-out or reform of harmful incentives and subsidies, and redirection of support towards biodiversity-friendly activities. It prioritises sectors important to Dominica’s economy and livelihoods. The current wording sets a 2030 timeframe but does not specify an earlier identification milestone, a quantified national reduction or the scale of positive incentives to be expanded. These are areas for clarification through the reform roadmap and national monitoring arrangements, rather than evidence of deliberate exclusion. Implementation can further specify how reforms will prioritise the most harmful measures and remain proportionate, just, fair, effective and equitable. Monitoring will distinguish incentives identified as harmful from those actually reformed or removed, and assess whether redirected support produces positive biodiversity outcomes.

No formal non-State actor commitments are recorded 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 review incentives, assess their effects and develop a practical reform roadmap. Priorities include reliable expenditure and concession data, economic and biodiversity analysis, consultation, and methods for tracking the value and effects of incentive changes. Support is also needed to design positive incentives, establish clear eligibility and performance criteria, and assist affected groups through transitions. Strong coordination and regular reporting will support implementation and accountability. Planning will account for fiscal constraints, data limitations, administrative capacity and dependence on existing assistance. Ecological and social monitoring will help identify unintended effects and guide adjustments.