Doing less harm to nature is also GBF implementation

The Vjosë-Narta test: when governments choose more harm

Despite activities spurred by the adoption of the KMGBF in 2022, the world still isn’t on track to reach the 2030 targets. More needs to be done: more efforts to update the NBSAPs, to implement them, more collaboration and more resources. But “doing less” can be just as important: less damage to nature, less pollution, less harmful subsidies.

Albania, a vibrant Mediterranean country, is an example of a country that still holds unspoiled nature. It is home to the Vjosa, one of the last free-flowing rivers in Europe, protected as a National Park. At the river’s mouth lies one of the country’s most valuable coastal ecosystems: the Vjosë-Narta protected landscape, an extraordinary mosaic of lagoons, wetlands, dunes, salt marshes and riverine forests. It provides habitat to many endangered and endemic species, including flamingos, monk seals and loggerhead sea turtles. Its sandy shores protect an inland lagoon, a major migratory site for hundreds of rare birds. It is also a living landscape shaped by local tradition. More than 20 villages remain closely connected to agriculture, livestock, fishing, coastal tourism, beekeeping and other ecosystem-dependent activities.

While implementing the GBF, it is expected from the Albanian government to recognize the importance of protecting Vjosë-Narta. The area is of major conservation importance at the European level: it has been proposed for the Emerald Network under the Council of Europe’s Bern Convention and as a future Natura 2000 site. As Albania works towards EU membership, it must also align its national legislation with EU environmental law.

Unfortunately, the opposite is happening! In 2024, the government changed Albania’s nature protection legislation legalizing high-end tourism development in protected areas, under the concept of ‘tourism of excellence’. Influential American and Qatari billionaires have seized the opportunity. Now, Vjosë-Narta risks to be turned into an exclusive luxury real estate, and its fragile ecosystems destroyed. This case signals the potential fate of all protected areas in the country. While the government consented, citizens wonder who will benefit.

As governments meet in Nairobi to review progress on the KMGBF, Vjosë-Narta tests what implementation really means. Global biodiversity targets ultimately succeed or fail through national planning and investment decisions. The real test comes when highly bio-diverse areas face major development pressures and governments decide to do more damage, rather than less.

Turning a highly valuable ecosystem (accessible for everyone) into a luxury resort (accessible only to a wealthy few) has caused citizens to take to the streets in protest. Albanian CSOs have called the Parliament to immediately repeal the 2024 protected areas legal amendments, adopt a new law through a transparent and participatory process, and impose a moratorium of all development permits in protected areas until aligned with EU and IUCN standards is in place.

It remains unclear if this destruction of valuable nature can be stopped. What is clear, is that Albania`s nature legislaon goes against KMGBF targets 3 and 14. The Vjosë-Narta case also carries a wider lesson: global biodiversity commitments will fail if short-term economic interests of a few block the long-term sustainable developments for many."