THE THEMATIC ASSESSMENT REPORT ON INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES AND THEIR CONTROL
25SUMMARY FOR POLICYMAKERS
have been intentionally introduced for a particular purpose, 
including to mitigate other drivers of change (well 
established) {Box 3.9}, but can have negative impacts on 
other sectors (well established) {3.3.1.1, 3.2.5, 5.6.1.2}. For 
example, introduced pigs are important culturally in Hawaii 
and are hunted for subsistence, ceremony and recreation, 
despite causing severe negative impacts by driving and 
maintaining the spread of invasive alien plants within 
Hawaiian rainforest (established but incomplete) {5.6.1.2}. 
Divergence of perceptions of invasive alien species can 
prevent effective decision-making and management 
(established but incomplete) {5.6.1.2, 6.2.2(9)}. The 
management of invasive alien species can, in some cases, 
raise multiple ethical debates about animal welfare and 
rights (well established) {1.5.3, 5.6.2.1, Box 6.13} (e.g., the 
challenges of effectively managing the biological invasion of 
Hippopotamus amphibius (African hippopotamus) in 
Colombia due to it being considered a charismatic species 
(established but incomplete) {5.4.3.1}).
A8 Current policy instruments for biological 
invasions have led to only partial progress towards 
international Targets on invasive alien species, 
including Aichi Biodiversity Target 9 and 
Sustainable Development Goal Target 15.8 (well 
established) {6.1.2, 6.1.3}. Most countries (80 per cent, 
156 out of 196) have targets for the management of 
biological invasions within their national biodiversity 
strategies and action plans, 74 per cent (145) of which are 
aligned with Aichi Biodiversity Target 9 (well established)
{6.1.2}. Assessment of the progress towards meeting Aichi 
Biodiversity Target 9 concluded that there was still a 
considerable gap between the development and adoption of 
invasive alien species policy and implementation at national 
levels (well established) {6.1.2}. Although the number of 
countries with national invasive alien species checklists, 
including databases, has more than doubled in the last 
decade (196 countries in 2022) (Table SPM.A3) {6.1.3}, 
83 per cent do not have national legislation or regulations 
Box SPM 1 Voluntary codes of conduct can complement legislation for managing the risks 
of transport and the introduction of invasive alien species through trade. 
Voluntary codes of conduct have limits, but they provide 
practical and concise guidance in establishing common 
standards of good practice and sustainable attitudes and 
behaviours for managing the risks of transport and the 
introduction of invasive alien species through trade. For 
example, awareness of horticulture as a major pathway 
for the introduction of many (46 per cent) invasive alien 
plants worldwide {3.2.3.2} has led to industry-government 
collaboration that has resulted in the implementation of 
voluntary codes of conduct for the horticultural industry, 
complementing legislation to ban the sales of invasive alien 
plants considered to be high risk {Box 6.6}. When designed in 
a collaborative manner, codes of conduct can help producers 
and consumers make informed choices. The adoption of 
voluntary codes of conduct can encourage e-commerce 
platforms to adopt better practices by screening their lists for 
invasive alien species, complying with relevant legislation and 
providing information on the species, including taxonomy, 
potential invasiveness and appropriate measures that a buyer 
could use to prevent escape. Codes of conduct have also been 
developed in Europe for other activities that can facilitate the 
introduction of invasive alien species, including boating, botanic 
gardens, horticulture, hunting, international travel, plantation 
forestry, pets, protected areas, e-commerce, recreational 
fishing, zoological gardens and aquaria.
Published in 2013 by the Council of Europe, the European 
Code of Conduct for Botanic Gardens on Invasive Alien 
Species outlines voluntary principles for all botanic garden 
personnel to support them in protecting ecosystems from the 
impacts of invasive alien species.
See: Heywood, V. H., & Sharrock, S. (2013). European Code 
of Conduct for Botanic Gardens on Invasive Alien Species. 
Council of Europe Publishing, F-67075 Strasbourg www.coe.
int/Biodiversity
25SUMMARY FOR POLICYMAKERS
19SUMMARY FOR POLICYMAKERS
BACKGROUND
A5 