Target 16: By 2025, knowledge and the science base relating to biodiversity, its values, functioning, status and trends, and the consequences of its loss, are significantly improved and applied.

Sound evidence-based scientific insights are the prerequisites of effective conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Science must be applied to inform decision-making to meet the growing challenges that Malaysia faces in achieving its conservation goals. Biodiversity, water, and environment issues are specified as the Mega Science Agenda by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia. Target 16 seeks to enhance the quality and quantity of research on Malaysia’s biodiversity, establish comprehensive databases and monitoring programmes, improve our knowledge on the link between climate change and biodiversity and improve the interface and communication between science and policy.