Implementing the indicators for genetic diversity of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework across Europe

Genetic diversity underpins all biodiversity but has long been overlooked in policy and practice. A major step was taken at COP15 of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, where Goal A, Target 4, and dedicated indicators for genetic diversity were adopted. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework explicitly states that sufficient genetic diversity must be maintained to secure the adaptive potential of populations within species, both wild and domesticated. Its monitoring framework includes headline indicator A.4: the proportion of populations within species with an effective population size Ne > 500 (Ne500) and complementary indicator A.CY.22, the proportion of populations maintained (PM). Parties are expected to report on these indicators from 2026. Our project supports European countries in initiating assessments and preparing for reporting. Within the EU COST Action GENOA and linked to the Biodiversa+ project GINAMO, we build on previous work (Mastretta-Yanes & da Silva et al., 2024) that assessed Ne500 and PM in nine countries, including Belgium, France, and Sweden. We now present improved assessment tools and results from over twelve additional European countries, covering continental Europe, Fennoscandia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. A key challenge addressed here is assessing species with transboundary distributions and reporting indicator values at the EU level. We also describe collaborative interactions with CBD National Focal Points in the focal countries. Our results reveal substantial variation in uptake of genetic monitoring approaches across Europe. Based on this, we propose a roadmap to improve assessment and reporting of genetic diversity indicators at both national and EU scales. We also discuss extending these approaches to domesticated species, with examples from Belgium and Sweden. Take-home contributions include: 1) Demonstrating a practical pan-European approach to GBF genetic diversity indicator implementation; 2) Providing a replicable methodology and assessment tools ready for national reporting in 2026; 3) Highlighting challenges and proposing solutions for transboundary populations and EU-level reporting, facilitating harmonised reporting across countries; 4) Offering a roadmap to integrate domesticated species in national genetic diversity reporting, extending GBF applicability.