State of Palestine

1. Overview

The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for the State of Palestine was developed between October 2021 and November 2022 by the Environmental Quality Authority (EQA) in partnership with Bethlehem University, updating the country's first NBSAP from 1999 [§5, §6]. The State of Palestine acceded to the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2015 and submitted its 6th National Report in 2021 [§5].

The strategy is structured around four strategic goals, six objectives, 17 milestones, 17 national commitments*, and 76 prioritised actions drawn from a pool of more than 380 candidate measures [§5, §77, §95]. It addresses the five canonical CBD pressures — climate change, over-exploitation, habitat destruction, invasive alien species, and pollution — plus a formally named sixth pressure: "decades' long Israeli occupation and colonization" [§5]. Action plans are written under two parallel scenarios: the political status quo, and a sovereign State of Palestine on 1967 borders [§77, §95].

*The NBSAP labels these 17 headline pledges "national targets." This page uses "national commitment (PS Target N)" to avoid confusion with the 23 GBF Targets. The strategy also organises itself around four PS-internal "Strategic Goals A–D" — these are the country's own framing and do not map one-to-one to GBF Goals A–D despite sharing the letter labels.

The framework follows the CBD post-2020 framework and the 2021 Kunming Declaration, with vision and mission publicly presented at a workshop on 9 June 2022 [§91]. The 2050 vision is "human and natural communities … coexisting in harmony, where biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and wisely used" [§5, §93]. Indicator-based monitoring is led by a national Biodiversity Committee chaired by EQA and meeting at least bimonthly, with full reviews scheduled for 2026, 2030, and every five years thereafter to 2050 [§104].

The NBSAP is distinctive among CBD parties for treating military occupation as a formal sixth biodiversity threat with its own dedicated commitment (PS Target 4), for writing every action against two political scenarios (status quo vs. 1967-border sovereignty), and for stating publicly that GEF large-grant access is blocked "by an unfair veto from the US" [§63]. It commits to doubling biodiversity resources by 2030 and quadrupling them by 2050 (PS Target 17) [§97].

Sources:

• §5 — Executive Summary
• §6 — 1.1 Brief background
• §77 — Activity 5: action plan prioritisation
• §91, §93 — 4.1 National vision and mission
• §95–§97 — 4.2 Strategic Goals, Objectives, Milestones, Targets, and Action Plans
• §63 — 2.19 Mobilizing Resources for Biodiversity Conservation
• §104 — 5.3 Monitoring and Evaluation

2. Ecological Context

The State of Palestine sits within the Fertile Crescent, where humans first developed agriculture about 10,000 years ago and where Palestinian terracing and irrigation systems date back 5,000 years [§7, §43]. The country forms part of the Eastern Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot of coniferous-sclerophyllous-broadleaf forests, "loss in the region is considered a global loss" [§8]. Endemic flora and fauna include many wild ancestors of domesticated species, giving the country's germplasm "national, regional and global value" [§43]. The envisioned Palestinian state covers 22% of historic Palestine — the West Bank and Gaza Strip — with marine access limited to the Gaza Mediterranean coast [§32].

The Sixth National Report identifies six structuring drivers of biodiversity decline: climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, invasive alien species, overexploitation, and Israeli colonisation/occupation and political instability [§8]. The Ecological Threat Register grades the country at threat level 2 [§8].

Climate and water. A World Bank study projects "drastic" decline in water resources by 2040; West Bank and Gaza demand will double while supply shrinks, and evapotranspiration is projected to increase 6–17% [§24]. The Palestinian water footprint is 2,900 litres per capita per day (93% internal) compared with 6,300 litres in Israel (82% external) [§23]. Massafer Yatta, the easternmost Jordan River Valley, and the Gaza Strip carry "particularly high levels of climate vulnerability" [§24].

Demographic pressure. Population in historic Palestine rose from under one million in 1916 to over 13 million in 2016, with more than three million cars between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean [§26]. The Palestinian population is projected to reach 6.9 million by 2030 and 9.5 million by 2050 [§26]. Bedouin communities, sequentially displaced from the Negev (1948) to the Jordan Valley (1967) and toward Aizarya, are compressed into shrinking ranges, producing overgrazing; in Gaza, fishermen are restricted to a 3-nautical-mile zone, producing overfishing [§26].

Invasive species and pollution. Within the State of Palestine, 50 invasive plant species are present — most aggressively Acacia saligna, Ailanthus altissima, Prosopis juliflora, and Solanum elaeagnifolium — alongside the Red Palm Weevil and Asian Tiger Mosquito [§27]. Annual hazardous waste totals 7,103 tons (1,420 tons hazardous medical), with Idhna in Hebron District identified as "a major site for e-waste recycling, of which the majority is illegally transported from Israel" [§28].

Protected areas. As of May 2021, terrestrial protected-area coverage is 8.4% (516.8 km²) and marine coverage is 0.0% [§33]. Only eight of 18 protected areas handed over under the Oslo Agreement are under actual Palestinian control — together less than 15 km² — with the remainder in Area C or overlapped areas [§9].

Sources:

• §7, §43 — 1.2 Ecosystem Services; 2.12 Genetic Resources
• §8 — 1.3 Causes and consequences of biodiversity loss
• §23, §24 — 2.1–2.2 Threats: Climate Change
• §26, §27, §28 — 2.3–2.5 Habitat destruction; IAS; Pollution
• §32, §33 — 2.7 Tourism; 2.8 Conservation and Protected Areas
• §9 — 1.4 National constitutional, legal and institutional frameworks

3. National Commitments and GBF Alignment

The State of Palestine's 17 national commitments are grouped under four PS strategic goals and six objectives. Each commitment is supported by quantitative milestones** and SMART action plans with delivery bodies, timelines, indicators and funding sources [§5, §95–§97].

**The NBSAP uses the term "milestones" for what this page treats as indicators or interim checkpoints — these are quantitative thresholds (e.g. "5% net ecosystem gain by 2030"), not delivery instruments.

The commitments are presented below grouped by PS Strategic Goal.

Goal A — Halt habitat and species loss

PS Target 1 — Updated protected area and KBA network (GBF Target 3, with relevance to Target 1). By 2030, an updated protected-area and Key Biodiversity Area network "that is logical, science based and manageable" [§95]. Delivered through the 17-point IUCN/EQA/CEPF protected-area work programme, the 2014 National Spatial Plan, and a planned re-evaluation of KBAs against global criteria. Directional aspiration — quantified outcome thresholds are deferred to the network-design exercise.

PS Target 2 — Freshwater and marine restoration (GBF Targets 2, 3). Reclaim/protect 50% of freshwater degraded areas (including springs such as Al-Auja) by 2050 under sovereignty; under continued status quo, 50% of those in Areas A and B by 2030. For marine areas, develop a management plan with good data collection by 2030 and significant protection improvement by 2050 [§95]. Measurable commitment (with explicit dual-scenario thresholds).

PS Target 3 — Species and genetic recovery (GBF Targets 4, 13). Active management for recovery and conservation of wild and domesticated species, including ex-situ conservation [§95]. Indicators include a target of at least six large vertebrates with population increase by 2035 (Milestone A4) and "90 per cent of genetic diversity within all species maintained" (Objective A1) [§95]. Directional aspiration at the target level; selected milestones are measurable.

PS Target 4 — Strategies for occupation/colonisation threats (no GBF analogue). Develop strategies with different scenarios and action plans to address occupation and colonisation threats to biodiversity [§96]. Delivered via the dual-scenario planning framework (see flex section below). Directional aspiration.

PS Targets 5–7 — Sustainable harvest, IAS, pollution. Target statements for PS Targets 5, 6, 7 and 11 are not legible in the source material [§95–§96]. Associated actions exist in the action portfolio (CITES accession; IAS surveillance and a 2022 IAS strategy and action plan; the National Strategy for Solid Waste Management 2017–2022) but are not classified here for measurability.

PS Target 8 — Pollution reduction (GBF Target 7). Reduce solid and liquid waste pollution by 30% by 2030 and by 60% by 2050 [§96]. Delivered through the NSSWM and the National Action Plan for prevention of Mediterranean pollution from land-based sources. Measurable commitment.

PS Target 9 — Climate and biodiversity (GBF Target 8). Minimise climate impacts on biodiversity through ecosystem-based approaches, "contributing at least 10 GtCO2e per year to global mitigation efforts" [§96]. Delivered via the 2016 National Adaptation Plan and the EQA-led Nationally Determined Contributions architecture. Measurable commitment (annual mitigation contribution); EQA Target 8 (50% carbon-uptake increase by 2022) sits inside this commitment.

Goal B — Nature's contributions to people

PS Target 10 — Biotechnology safety (GBF Target 17). Establish, build capacity for, and implement measures to prevent, manage or control adverse impacts of biotechnology on biodiversity and human health [§96]. Delivered through the 2022 National Biosafety Plan (five objectives, four GMO risk classes) under the Cartagena Protocol (ratified 2 April 2015). Directional aspiration.

PS Target 12 — Equitable benefits from nature (GBF Targets 9, 11). Develop policies, procedures and systems to enhance equitable benefits from nature (eco-tourism, medicinal plants, recreational activities) while protecting biodiversity [§96]. Directional aspiration.

PS Target 13 — Sustainable agriculture and food sovereignty (GBF Targets 10, 13). Develop sustainable agricultural production "that ensures food sovereignty while enhancing biodiversity" [§96]. Delivered through the updated MoA Strategic Goals (2020), Decree-Law 14/2018 on agricultural genetic resources, and the 24-point agrobiodiversity programme (see flex section). Directional aspiration at the target level; the linked MoA 2023 programme contains measurable sub-targets (37% irrigated area, 180,000 fruit-tree seedlings, 5,000 dunums of new agricultural area).

Goal C — Research, mainstreaming, valorisation

PS Target 14 — Research expansion (GBF Targets 20, 21). Expand and modernise research of habitats, ecosystems, species and traditional practices, ensuring use and equitable sharing [§96]. Indicator: increase research productivity in biodiversity by 300% by 2030 (Milestone C3); raise applied research outputs from 782 (2019) to 1,456 by 2023. Directional aspiration; indicator is measurable.

PS Target 15 — Mainstreaming (GBF Target 14). Mainstream biodiversity across all sectors of Palestinian society with action plans yielding tangible, measurable protection [§96]. M&E tailored to 22 sectoral and three cross-sectoral strategies. Directional aspiration.

Goal D — Governance, partnerships, resource mobilisation

PS Target 16 — Restructure biodiversity entities (GBF Target 20). Restructure entities engaged in biodiversity research, education and conservation, including channels of communication, joint capacity-building, mergers, new entities/NGOs in deserving areas, and management restructuring within EQA [§97]. Directional aspiration.

PS Target 17 — Finance mobilisation (GBF Target 19). Increase financial and non-financial resources for biodiversity in the State of Palestine — doubled by 2030 and quadrupled by 2050 [§97]. Delivered through a proposed Environmental Trust Fund (Action 17.1), CHM-published budget transparency (17.4), and access negotiations for GEF large grants. Measurable commitment (one of the few NBSAPs worldwide to set an explicit finance multiplier).

Cross-cutting quantitative commitments cited under associated actions include protecting 8–10% of the marine ecosystem off Gaza [§95]; women holding a minimum 40% of conservation jobs [§96]; reaching 30% of all elementary, middle and high school students with awareness activities by 2030 [§96]; halting or reversing extinction-rate increase (A2); and joining four further treaties — CITES, the Ramsar Convention (1971), the Bonn Convention on Migratory Species, and AEWA — after compliance mechanisms are in place [§97].

Sources:

• §5, §95–§97 — Executive Summary; Strategic Goals, Objectives, Milestones, Targets, Action Plans

4. Delivery Architecture

Core environmental legislation. The Palestinian Environmental Law (PEL) No. 7 of 1999, signed on 28 December 1999, authorises the Palestinian National Authority to assess projects for environmental impact, protect endemic and endangered species, and conserve sensitive areas; a 1999 Presidential Decree established the EQA as successor to the Ministry of Environmental Affairs [§9, §10]. Supporting statutes include Local Government Law No. 1 (1997), Industrial Estates and Free Industrial Zones Law No. 10 (1998), Natural Resources Law No. 1 (1999), Palestinian Water Law No. 3 (2002), Protection of Animal Wealth Law No. 8 (1998), and Agriculture Law No. 2 (2003) [§9, §10]. The 1999 PEL was reconsidered in 2022 with parallel revision of subordinate environmental laws to harmonise with signed conventions scheduled for 2022–23 [§9].

Protected areas, species and ex-situ conservation. Of 18 protected areas handed over to the Palestinian Authority under the Oslo Agreement, eight are under actual Palestinian control — less than 15 km² total [§9]. The 2021–22 EQA assessment-and-strengthening programme for the national PA network applies an IUCN-supported gap analysis [§9, §22]. Ex-situ work — gene bank, botanical garden, and small native-flora collections at the Environmental Education Center, the Palestine Museum of Natural History, BERC, An-Najah, and Birzeit — began after 2015 [§37]. Three small zoos operate in Qalqilya, Gaza and Beit Sahour [§37]. In 2016 the EQA designated the Faquoa (Iris hayenae) as the national flower and the Palestine Sunbird (Cinnyris osea) as the national bird by Cabinet Resolution [§37].

Climate, biosafety, IAS. EQA's three climate documents — the 2010 Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, the National Adaptation Plan to Climate Change (2016), and the Initial National Communication Report — frame the climate response, with Nationally Determined Contributions finalised in 2020 [§50]. The National Biosafety Plan was completed in 2022 with five objectives covering regulatory regime, administrative system, decision-making, monitoring/enforcement and capacity, and a four-class GMO risk taxonomy [§9, §51, §52]. An Invasive Alien Species strategy and action plan was completed in 2022 [§22].

Spatial planning and desertification. The National Spatial Plan, approved in June 2012, designates high- and medium-sensitivity areas for agriculture, forests, biodiversity, and cultural heritage; Stage 2 implementation has not yet been executed [§21]. The National Strategy, Action Programme and Integrated Financing Strategy to Combat Desertification (2012) identifies five priority projects totalling USD 4.2 million [§63].

Cross-governmental coordination. Twelve key government entities are formally engaged in nature protection, anchored by EQA, the Ministry of Agriculture (through its General Directorate of Forests, Rangelands and Wildlife), and 40 rangers across West Bank governorates [§9, §14]. Inter-institutional MOUs exist between EQA and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (2013), the Customs Authority (2014), the Political and Moral Guidance Commission (2014), and the Ministry of Women's Affairs (2013) [§14]. As of 2012 the Ministry of Interior registered 2,245 NGOs, 64 of which deal with environmental issues, coordinated through the Palestinian Environmental NGOs Network (PENGON) [§15].

Treaty framework. The State of Palestine has ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Cartagena Protocol (2 April 2015), the UNCCD, the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol, and the UNFCCC; since 2014 it has acceded to more than 42 international conventions and treaties [§11, §51]. The Nagoya Protocol is not yet signed; ratification is flagged as a forthcoming commitment [§Target 13].

Sources:

• §9, §10, §11 — National frameworks; international agreements
• §14, §15, §16 — Stakeholders
• §21, §22 — Lessons learned
• §37 — Significant achievements 2015–2021
• §50, §51, §52 — Climate and biosafety
• §63 — Mobilizing resources

4a. Planning under occupation: the sixth threat and two-scenario action design

The NBSAP elevates "Israeli occupation/colonization" to a named sixth threat category alongside the five canonical CBD pressures, with its own dedicated diagnostic section and a dedicated national commitment (PS Target 4) [§5, §8, §29, §96]. Settler population in occupied areas doubled between 1993 and 2000 to over 450,000 and "today stands at 900,000" [§29]. Construction of approximately 760 km of segregation barrier since 2003 "has already uprooted 1.5 million trees," accompanied by over 1,500 km of settler roads with 75-metre confiscation buffers either side [§29]. Palestinian sources estimate "at least 200 Israeli factories operate in the West Bank" [§29]. The UNEP report (2003) lists effects including direct degradation from military operations, settlement expansion, the separation barrier blocking terrestrial fauna movement, and clearing of vegetation "for security purposes" [§29].

This threat structurally shapes other commitments. Spatial planning (PS Target 1) is constrained because Area C is under Israeli civil and military control and the Gaza maritime zone is blockaded [§Target 1]. Marine protected-area coverage (PS Target 1, GBF Target 3) stands at 0% because Israel controls the Gaza maritime zone [§Target 3]. Invasive species control (PS Target 6) is limited because the sole import restrictions are those of the Ministry of Agriculture, "but Israel remains the authority in charge of borders" [§27]. Finance (PS Target 17) is constrained by what the NBSAP describes as a US veto on GEF large grants [§63].

In response, every action plan is written against two parallel scenarios: the political status quo, and a sovereign State of Palestine on 1967 borders [§77, §95]. PS Target 2 illustrates: under sovereignty, 50% of freshwater degraded areas reclaimed by 2050; under status quo, 50% of those in Areas A and B reclaimed by 2030 [§95]. The dual-scenario design is itself a structural choice — not a caveat appended to commitments, but a planning method woven through threats, targets, and the action portfolio.

5. Monitoring and Accountability

Monitoring and evaluation is led by the national Biodiversity Committee, chaired by EQA, which is to meet at least bimonthly to monitor implementation [§104]. A full review of NBSAP progress is scheduled for 2026, a further full review and revision for 2030, and every five years thereafter to 2050; each review covers progress, gaps, obstacles, and responsibilities, alerting the responsible party via EQA to changes needed [§104].

The framework adopts the United Nations Global Indicator Framework — 234 indicators across 17 SDGs and 169 targets — supplemented by Biodiversity Indicators Partnership measures and the TEEB (2009) five SMART metrics: phylogenetic diversity, population trends (modified Living Planet Index), species extinction-risk trends (Red List index), ecosystem extent, and ecosystem condition [§67, §104]. Each of the 76 action points in Annex 1 carries roles, responsibilities and potential funding sources [§104]. Financial monitoring is recommended as for any project implementation [§104].

M&E is to be tailored to 22 sectoral strategies — Empowerment, Education, Agriculture, Health, International Relations, Justice, Culture and Heritage, Employment, Energy, Local Governance, Housing, Water and Wastewater, Social Protection, Communications and IT, Security, Public Finance Management, National Economy, Tourism and Antiquities, Transport, Higher Education, Civil Services, and Land Public Services — and three cross-sectoral strategies on Social Cohesion, Youth, and Environment [§104]. A coordinating mechanism for NBSAP implementation with local authorities (governorates, municipalities, village councils) is to be established, led by EQA through its regional offices, with M&E training for local EQA teams [§104].

Stakeholder engagement during NBSAP development followed CBD COP Decision 9/8 criteria — the community "needs it, does it, controls it, and benefits from it" [§67]. The Inaugural National Conference convened 55 participants on 8 November 2021; 30 thematic workshops were held online, three in person, and over 20 focus-group meetings [§70, §73]. More than 400 stakeholders subscribed to the [email protected] mailing list [§90]. From over 380 candidate strategies, 76 priority actions were selected by scoring three parameters from 1 to 3: urgency (immediacy), overall impact (national-level significance), and current neglect (adequacy of existing treatment) [§77]. SP's Clearing-House Mechanism for the CBD was updated as part of the process, with a national CHM Steering Committee and focal-point web manager; 251,877 Palestinian occurrences and 300 datasets are recorded on GBIF [§48, §80].

Sources:

• §48, §67 — CHM, GBIF, indicator frameworks
• §70, §71, §73 — NBSAP development conferences and consultation
• §77 — Action prioritisation methodology
• §80, §81, §90 — Activity 7 outputs; mainstreaming methods
• §104 — Monitoring and Evaluation

6. Finance and Resource Mobilisation

PS Target 17 sets the headline quantitative commitment: financial and non-financial resources for biodiversity in the State of Palestine doubled by 2030 and quadrupled by 2050 [§97]. This multiplier is unusually explicit by NBSAP standards.

Costed components. The National Adaptation Plan to Climate Change (2016) is the largest costed instrument — USD 3.5 billion across twelve sectors: Agriculture ($1.2B), Water ($893M), Food ($443M), Energy ($443M), Industry ($249M), Coastal and Marine ($114M), Waste and Wastewater ($63M), Urban ($53M), Terrestrial Ecosystems ($13.4M), Health ($12M), Gender ($11M), Tourism ($9M), plus $2M for the Palestinian Meteorological Office [§24, §65]. The 2012 Strategy to Combat Desertification identifies five priority projects totalling USD 4.2 million, with EQA as lead agency [§63]. No aggregate NBSAP-wide implementation budget is provided.

GEF access. As a CBD signatory the State of Palestine is technically eligible for GEF funding but states it "is not getting the funding to which it is entitled to because of political considerations" — specifically, that GEF large-grant funding has been denied "by an unfair veto from the US (for political reasons)" and "the only grants available through GEF is the SGP (Small Grant Program)" [§63]. The NBSAP recommends "GEF funding for large grants must be made available to Palestine" and calls on the CBD and other agencies "to remove any political blocks on funding" [§65, §107].

Domestic finance. The NBSAP cites a global average for public biodiversity investment of around 1.3% of GDP (range 0.009–2.68%) and describes current Palestinian public financing for biodiversity as "miniscule" [§65]. The strategy calls for diversified sources, increased public investment, improved spending effectiveness, and infrastructure and human-resource investment [§65, §106].

Action 17 portfolio. Action 17.1 commits to developing an Environmental Trust Fund to support local campaigns and environmental projects (no monetary size specified); Action 17.2 to marshalling resources and making Palestinian biodiversity globally visible; Action 17.3 to fundraising and project-management capacity, "especially for women"; Action 17.4 to publishing all biodiversity-related budgets transparently, including via the CHM [§97]. The OECD/DAC Rio markers (Biodiversity, Climate Change Adaptation, Climate Change Mitigation, Desertification) plus the Environment marker are adopted to monitor external development finance [§106].

External funders. Active and prospective sources include the GEF (SGP only), the Belgian Development Agency (CEBioS programme), Hanns Seidel Foundation, MAVA Foundation, Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Saudi Fund for Development, SIDA (Strengthening EQA Environmental Action Programme 2018–21), the Swiss Confederation, IUCN, BirdLife International, FAO, UNDP/PAPP, UNEP, UNESCO, USAID, the German BMZ, WWF, the Japan Biodiversity Fund, and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, among others [§63, §65, §66]. Over 200 biodiversity projects have been carried out in the country [§65].

Sources:

• §24, §63, §65, §66 — NAP costing; GEF access; funders
• §97 — Action 17.1–17.4
• §105, §106, §107 — Recommendations on financing effectiveness

6a. Agrobiodiversity and food sovereignty

Sitting in the Fertile Crescent, the State of Palestine treats agrobiodiversity not as an agricultural sub-theme but as a structural component of biodiversity policy, woven through PS Targets 10 and 13 and a 24-point agrobiodiversity programme [§43, §44, §96]. The country's wild relatives of domesticated species give its germplasm "national, regional and global value and importance" [§43].

Decree-Law No. 14 of 2018 amends the Agriculture Law: Article 27 declares agricultural genetic resources to be state property subject to national sovereignty while respecting individual property rights over common local strains; Article 28 mandates the Ministry of Agriculture, in coordination with other authorities, to list local genetic strains and origins, preserve and protect genes and genetic origins, and adopt mechanisms to reproduce them [§44]. The updated MoA Strategic Goals (2020) name as Goal 2 "self-sustenance in food production and disengagement from the Israeli food supply system" — a framing of food sovereignty as biodiversity goal that is unusual in NBSAPs [§44]. The MoA's 2020 programme adds quantitative targets to 2023: 37% increase in irrigated agricultural area, 2.8 million additional cubic metres of irrigation water, 25–30% increase in plant production, 180,000 fruit-tree seedlings cultivated, and roughly 5,000 dunums of new agricultural area [§44].

The 24-point agrobiodiversity programme commits to soil conservation, seedbank and Baladi-seed preservation, reduction of pesticides and antibiotics, agroforestry development (including olive–almond intercropping in dryland systems), expansion of forested area from 4% to 6% by 2050, encouragement of home and community gardens, and the establishment of new centres to preserve genetic resources of food plants from the Fertile Crescent [§96]. The turathna.palestinenature.org project links traditional knowledge with nature conservation [§44]. A 2018 cultural heritage law regulates and protects tangible and intangible cultural heritage in line with CBD Article 8(j) [§44]. The Nagoya Protocol has not yet been signed; ratification is flagged as a forthcoming commitment [§Target 13].

7. GBF Target Coverage

GBF Target 1 — Spatial planning. Addressed. The 2014 National Spatial Plan incorporates Key Biodiversity Areas for development regulation, and a successor plan to 2050 is in preparation. A 2021–22 IUCN/EQA gap analysis assesses protection levels across KBAs. Effectiveness is constrained because Area C and the Gaza maritime zone are not under Palestinian civil control. Recommendation 17 of the protected-areas chapter integrates the PA network into spatial planning.

GBF Target 2 — Ecosystem restoration. Mentioned. Restoration appears as a component of broader ecosystem and agricultural-resilience commitments rather than a standalone area-based restoration target. The internal EQA Target 8 (6th National Report) commits to a 50% increase in carbon uptake by 2022 through preservation, conservation and rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems. Forested area is to expand from 4% to 6% by 2050.

GBF Target 3 — Protected areas (30x30). Addressed. Terrestrial coverage stands at 8.4% (516.8 km²) and marine coverage at 0.0% as of May 2021 — well below the 30% benchmark. A 17-point work programme drawn from a recent IUCN/EQA/CEPF report covers OECM development, Wadi Al-Quff and Wadi Al-Zarqa Al-Ulwi as candidate biosphere reserves, KBA re-evaluation by 2030, Plant Micro-Reserve modelling, and a working target of 60% management effectiveness by 2030. Marine coverage is 0% because Israel controls the Gaza maritime zone.

GBF Target 4 — Species recovery. Mentioned. Species action is framed primarily through ecosystem and protected-area lenses, supplemented by IUCN Red Listing of species and ecosystems and crop wild relatives. Milestone A4 commits to at least six large vertebrates showing population increase by 2035. No quantified extinction-prevention target is stated.

GBF Target 5 — Sustainable harvest. Mentioned. Overexploitation drivers — illegal hunting in Wadi Gaza and Wadi Al-Quff, Gaza fishing restricted to 3 nautical miles, and Bedouin overgrazing in shrinking ranges — are diagnosed but not paired with quantified harvest controls. Action 16.5 commits to joining CITES after compliance mechanisms are in place.

GBF Target 6 — Invasive alien species. Addressed. A 2022 IAS strategy and action plan accompanies a detailed taxonomic inventory: 50 invasive plant species in SP, nine invasive birds, 10 fish, 19 freshwater snails, plus the Red Palm Weevil and Asian Tiger Mosquito. Six recommendations cover capacity, surveillance/early warning, awareness campaigns, legislation, cross-sectoral work and regional cooperation, with a specific project to control IAS within the PA network. The sole import restrictions are those of the Ministry of Agriculture, with Israel controlling borders.

GBF Target 7 — Pollution reduction. Addressed. PS Target 8 commits to reducing solid and liquid waste pollution by 30% by 2030 and 60% by 2050. The National Strategy for Solid Waste Management (NSSWM 2017–2022) reports sanitary disposal at 98% in 2019 and 100% expected by 2023, with hazardous-waste treatment at 2% in 2019 and 10% by 2023. An updated National Action Plan for prevention of Mediterranean pollution from land-based sources has been drafted.

GBF Target 8 — Climate and biodiversity. Addressed. PS Target 9 commits to ecosystem-based mitigation and adaptation "contributing at least 10 GtCO2e per year to global mitigation efforts." Delivered through the 2016 National Adaptation Plan ($3.5B across 12 sectors), the 2010 Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (nine no-regrets and seven low-regrets measures), the EQA-led NDC architecture, and the National Committee for Climate Change with five subcommittees. EQA Target 8 commits to a 50% increase in carbon uptake by 2022.

GBF Target 9 — Wild species use. Mentioned. Wild-species use is implicit, addressed through traditional and medicinal-plant heritage and small-scale subsistence livelihoods (Bedouin pastoralism, Gaza small-scale fishing). MoA Goal 1 targets resilience and steadfastness of Palestinian farmers on their land.

GBF Target 10 — Agriculture/forestry. Addressed. PS Target 13 commits to sustainable agricultural production ensuring food sovereignty. The MoA 2020 programme sets quantified 2023 targets (37% irrigated-area increase, 180,000 fruit-tree seedlings, 5,000 dunums of new agricultural land) under the explicit goal of disengagement from the Israeli food supply system. A 24-point agrobiodiversity programme covers seedbanks, organic fertilisers, agroforestry, and forest expansion from 4% to 6% by 2050. Decree-Law 14/2018 declares agricultural genetic resources state property.

GBF Target 11 — Ecosystem services (NbS). Addressed. The NBSAP adopts the IPBES "nature's contribution to people" framing alongside ecosystem-services language and references the SEEA framework for natural-capital accounting. EQA Target 8's 50% carbon-uptake commitment by 2022 sits here. The strategy takes a cautionary stance on Nature-Based Solutions used as biodiversity offsetting.

GBF Target 12 — Urban biodiversity. Mentioned. Urban biodiversity is framed primarily through urban-sprawl management given a population projected to reach 9.5 million by 2050. Five priorities cover urban data collection, EIA for urban development, government controls on spatial planning, master-plan boundary clarity, and balancing short-term and long-term interests. No quantified urban green/blue-space target is set.

GBF Target 13 — Genetic resources / ABS. Addressed. The Nagoya Protocol has not yet been signed; ratification is flagged as forthcoming. Decree-Law 14/2018 (Articles 27–28) declares agricultural genetic resources state property and mandates listing of local strains and preservation of genetic origins. A 2018 cultural heritage law implements CBD Article 8(j) for tangible and intangible heritage. ABS is partly framed as a sovereignty issue, citing Israeli scientific publication on local genetic resources.

GBF Target 14 — Mainstreaming. Addressed. PS Target 15 commits to mainstreaming biodiversity across all sectors. M&E is tailored to 22 sectoral strategies and three cross-sectoral strategies (Social Cohesion, Youth, Environment). EQA (2020) actions cover environmental clubs, curricular integration, environmental media, awareness campaigns and a national centre for environmental training. The first environmental biodiversity exhibition was held in Bethlehem in September 2020 under the Prime Minister's patronage.

GBF Target 15 — Business disclosure. Mentioned. Business disclosure is framed via global CBD post-2020 language without national-specific instruments. Section 5.4 encourages investment in green-technology production and innovation in energy efficiency, water saving and chemical reduction in agriculture.

GBF Target 16 — Sustainable consumption. Mentioned. Sustainable consumption is addressed indirectly through waste-management and agrobiodiversity provisions — 70% of SP solid waste is organic and reducible via composting. The agrobiodiversity programme encourages home and community gardens, food forests, and fair-trade and organic produce. No food-waste reduction target is stated.

GBF Target 17 — Biosafety. Addressed. The Cartagena Protocol was ratified on 2 April 2015. PS Target 10 commits to preventing, managing or controlling biotechnology impacts. The 2022 National Biosafety Plan sets five objectives (regulatory regime; administrative system; transparent decision-making; monitoring/enforcement; capacity-building) and four GMO risk classes (negligible, low, moderate, grave) with proportionate measures. Recommendations include a Palestinian National Food and Drug Authority and a National Biosafety Committee.

GBF Target 18 — Harmful subsidies. Content addressing GBF Target 18 was not identified in this NBSAP. The Ministry of Economy is recommended to "set up systems of incentives and disincentives" relating to plastics, food, paper, and energy consumption, and the strategy notes that "research is needed on existing subsidies, leading to subsidy reform" — but no specific harmful-subsidy identification, reform target, or timeline is set.

GBF Target 19 — Finance mobilisation. Addressed. PS Target 17 commits to doubling biodiversity resources by 2030 and quadrupling by 2050. Action 17.1 commits to an Environmental Trust Fund (size unspecified), 17.2 to global resource marshalling, 17.3 to fundraising capacity especially for women, 17.4 to budget transparency via the CHM. Costed components include the $3.5B NAP and $4.2M Desertification programme. Public financing for biodiversity is described as "miniscule"; GEF large-grant access is reportedly blocked by US veto.

GBF Target 20 — Capacity and technology. Addressed. PS Target 16 commits to restructuring biodiversity research, education and conservation entities. The applied-research output target is 782 (2019) → 1,456 by 2023; staged research priorities run 2022–2027 (explorative field research) and 2027–2035 (ecosystem-services research). The National Agriculture Research Station was restructured in 2021 for participatory research. A new Master's programme in Biodiversity and Sustainability is planned at Bethlehem University.

GBF Target 21 — Data and information. Addressed. The strategy adopts the UN Global Indicator Framework (234 indicators across 17 SDGs and 169 targets). The Clearing-House Mechanism has been updated with a national Steering Committee; PA Network data is to be uploaded to the CBD website. As of 2021, 251,877 Palestinian species occurrences and 300 datasets are recorded on GBIF. A local environmental-justice database is to be compiled in partnership with Al-Haq and the Palestine Museum of Natural History.

GBF Target 22 — Inclusive participation. Addressed. Palestinians are explicitly framed as the indigenous people of Palestine. The NBSAP process engaged 400+ stakeholders via a dedicated mailing list, weekly thematic workshops and focus-group meetings, narrowing 380+ candidate actions to 76 priorities. The Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability is part of the ICCA Consortium. Bedouin communities and Gaza fishers are highlighted as marginalised groups facing particular pressures. The 2018 cultural heritage law operationalises CBD Article 8(j).

GBF Target 23 — Gender equality. Addressed. A 2013 EQA–Ministry of Women's Affairs Agreement ensures women's participation in environmental issues; the NBSAP commits to revisiting it. The Cross-Sectoral National Gender Strategy frames rights to control natural, human, financial and material resources. Quantitative commitments include women holding a minimum 40% of conservation jobs at government and non-government levels, engagement of women in rangeland rehabilitation and reforestation with multiple-use trees (olives, date palms), formal networks of women's groups, and Action 17.3 targeting fundraising capacity especially for women.