At a glance
Challenge
Biodiversity under the radar
The global community increasingly appreciates the link between the economy and the environment; roughly 60% of GDP is at least moderately dependent on ecosystem services. Globally, between USD 235-577bn of crop output is directly attributable to animal pollination.
In 2022, the world agreed a “Paris Agreement for nature”—the Global Biodiversity Framework—with the goal of reversing biodiversity loss by 2030.
Solution
Scale at speed
The first step to achieving the 2030 goal is effective measurement. Successfully reversing biodiversity loss in just six years hinges on knowing what drives it, where, and at what speed, so that the best interventions can be identified. You cannot manage what you cannot measure.
Today, the global community lacks the measurement infrastructure to globally track ecosystem conditions. Fortunately, many of the necessary technologies already exist. The world does not need blockbuster innovations. The focus needs to be on rapidly deploying existing solutions at scale.
Enablement
Finance, government, partnerships
The rapid deployment of measurement technologies will not happen organically: Governments currently subsidize nature’s depletion; companies ignore nature’s value on their balance sheets; and the direction of policy remains unclear.
These barriers contribute to a sizable investment gap: the world needs to spend five-to-seven times more than what it spends today to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. Both public and private capital is needed, creating essential roles for finance, governments, and partnerships.
Quiz
Podcast
The Bulletin with UBS on “Bloom or bust”
A discuss on why it is time to focus on biodiversity, what challenges and potential solutions are and why we need partnerships to move forward.
06 Feb 2024
Bloom or bust. William Nicolle and Leland Werden on aligning technology and finance to reverse biodiversity loss
William Nicolle and Leland Werden discuss the white paper's key highlights. They explain the urgent need for a more holistic approach to reversing global biodiversity loss by 2030 and to achieving a nature-positive world by 2050.
06 Feb 2024
Natural allies. Katharine Hayhoe on solving the biodiversity challenge with nature-based solutions
Katharine Hayhoe discusses nature-based solutions for addressing the climate and biodiversity crises. She explains how the world must invest in and work with nature for the sake of current and future generations.
Read the details
Reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 starts with deploying existing measurement technologies at scale, a task which will not happen organically.
Our white paper has more insights on how to align finance, government, and partnerships to address biodiversity challenges.
Related publications
Report by The Nature Conservancy: Natural allies - Nature-based solutions for climate and biodiversity
The codependence of biodiversity and climate means action on each needs to be strategically coordinated. Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) are a promising set of solutions which can reduce global carbon emissions and, in some instances, also reduce biodiversity loss. This report outlines the benefits of NCS, the barriers to scaling them, and key actions to overcome these barriers.
Interview with David Craig: Nature—A risk and a missed opportunity
The TNFD-co-chair explains how the framework should help companies and investors assess their impact on the planet’s ecosystem, as well as more accurately identify nature-related risks and respond to them.
Report: Taking root—Mainstreaming NCA to meet global biodiversity goals
The UN’s goal to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 is an ambitious target that looks increasingly unrealistic as time goes by. Mainstreaming natural capital accounting could be one way to meet global biodiversity goals.
Article by Sir Partha Dasgupta: Biodiversity loss entails business risks
Our economic model overlooks the value of nature’s goods and services, and this is perpetuated through modern trade and business. Export taxes and corporate disclosure offers potential remedies.
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