The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was created in light of the international community’s growing commitment to sustainable development. Its aim is to conserve biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the equitable sharing of the benefits of its genetic resources. The CBD adopted a Strategic Plan for Biodiversity for the years 2011-2020, including a specific set of targets to be reached by 2020. Some of the targets include reducing the loss of natural habitats, conserving 17 percent of terrestrial and inland water areas, and restoring at least 15 percent of degraded ecosystems, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation and to combating desertification.