SRES 248119th CongressIntroduced

A resolution expressing the need for the Federal Government to establish a national biodiversity strategy for protecting biodiversity for current and future generations.

Introduced: May 22, 2025

Environment & Climate

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This resolution (S. Res. 248) expresses the Senate’s view that the Federal Government should establish a national biodiversity strategy to protect biodiversity for current and future generations. It frames biodiversity loss as driven largely by human activity and outlines a comprehensive set of goals and actions the strategy should cover, including a bold 30x30 target (conserving at least 30% of land and waters by 2030), protection of at-risk species, climate adaptation and mitigation linked to biodiversity, and stronger collaboration across federal, state, tribal, private, and international actors. While it reads as guidance and policy direction, it is a non-binding Senate resolution and does not in itself create new laws or mandatory funding, though it could shape future legislation and agency planning. Key elements include integrating indigenous knowledge, advancing equity in conservation, monitoring biodiversity status, reviewing and modernizing laws, supporting international leadership on biodiversity, and funding conservation efforts while reducing subsidies that harm biodiversity.

Key Points

1Establish a national biodiversity strategy to conserve US biodiversity, restore ecosystem services, and provide leadership on global biodiversity issues.
2Adopt an explicit 30x30 objective: conserve at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030, with international alignment toward the same global goal.
3Include climate-related strategies: climate adaptation, climate refugia and corridors, and consideration of rapid renewable energy development within conservation planning.
4Review and align existing laws, plans, and programs related to biodiversity; propose new or revised measures as needed; ensure integration of biodiversity protection across federal activities including foreign policy and development.
5Emphasize collaboration with states, Tribes, private landowners, Indigenous knowledge, and equitable, inclusive decisionmaking; protect Federal trust obligations to Native Americans.
6Establish ongoing monitoring and a quadrennial biodiversity assessment for the United States and globally; identify knowledge gaps and accelerate R&D for conservation solutions.
7Assess the U.S. role in international biodiversity and ecosystem services within national security, foreign policy, and development planning; promote global adoption of 30x30.
8Fund existing programs, create new funding sources, and reduce subsidies that harm biodiversity, aligning funding with the scale of biodiversity threats.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Federal policymakers and agencies responsible for conservation, land and resource use, climate policy, and international diplomacy; Indigenous communities and Tribal governments due to emphasis on tribal cooperation and honoring trust obligations.Secondary group/area affected: State and local governments, private landowners, Indigenous knowledge holders, non-governmental organizations, and communities disproportionately affected by environmental degradation and biodiversity loss (e.g., communities of color and low-income communities).Additional impacts: Potential influence on funding priorities and regulatory planning; could guide future legislation and regulatory actions, international engagement on biodiversity agreements, and cross-cutting policy reforms to integrate biodiversity with climate, energy, agriculture, and foreign policy. As a resolution, it signals intent rather than creating new binding duties or mandatory funding, though it may shape future administrative and legislative efforts.

Generated by gpt-5-nano on Oct 3, 2025