{"id":1911,"date":"2018-04-04T12:00:37","date_gmt":"2018-04-04T12:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalchangeecology.com\/?p=1911"},"modified":"2018-06-25T14:48:28","modified_gmt":"2018-06-25T14:48:28","slug":"global-development-goals-in-jeopardy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalchangeecology.com\/2018\/04\/04\/global-development-goals-in-jeopardy\/","title":{"rendered":"Global Development Goals in Jeopardy"},"content":{"rendered":"

A few days ago, the 6th plenary meeting of IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) ended in Medellin, Colombia, where the regional assessments of biodiversity and ecosystem services for Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Central Asia were approved. The extensively peer-reviewed reports are providing answers for the questions: Why is biodiversity important? Where are we making progress? What are the main threats and opportunities for biodiversity? And how can we adjust our policies for a more sustainable future?<\/p>\n

Global Development Goals in Jeopardy<\/b><\/h3>\n

The ongoing decline of biodiversity is not only affecting the ecosystems and nature\u2019s contribution to people but puts the achievement of some of the global development goals to risk.<\/p>\n

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Photo: IPBES<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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In the Americas,<\/b> the continuing loss of biodiversity will impede the achievement of some of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the report states. The loss in Africa<\/b> will increase and the SDGs are unlikely to be reached in 3 of 5 tested scenarios. The Asia-Pacific<\/b> region lacks mainly of solid waste management, which is affecting biodiversity loss. But also water and land pollution are main drivers. Europe and Central Asia<\/b> are showing some progress in establishing protected areas and mainstreaming the importance of biodiversity, but the pressures are unlikely to be reduced.<\/p>\n

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Infographic: Katharina Funk (Icons designed by Freepik from www.flaticon.com)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Promising Policy Options Available<\/b><\/h3>\n

Even though the reports paint an overall pessimistic picture of the state of the world\u2019s ecosystems, they also state that efficient policy options do exist. In some regions there are promising projects that have been found to work in protecting and restoring biodiversity and nature\u2019s contributions to people.<\/p>\n

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Infographic: Katharina Funk (Icons designed by Freepik from www.flaticon.com)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the Americas,<\/b> the protection of key biodiversity areas increased by 17% between 1970 and 2010. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of work to be done. Less than 20% of key biodiversity areas are currently protected. It is crucial, the report stresses, to support biodiversity better in human-dominated landscapes . This can only be achieved if the protection and restoration of biodiversity is integrated into a broad array of economic and sectoral policies.<\/p>\n

In Africa,<\/b> the recovery of some threatened species could be reported. This could be enhanced by an effective management of protected areas, a network of wildlife corridors and the restoration of degraded ecosystems. There is also an urgent need for a control of invasive alien species and the reintroduction of wild native animals. A pending problem is also the ongoing undervaluation of the rich natural resources of Africa.<\/p>\n

The Asia-Pacific<\/b> region did make great efforts to restore and expand protected areas, especially forests. Yet, some of the most important bird and key biodiversity areas are still under threat. Solutions could be a better application of science and technology, the empowerment of local communities, integrating biodiversity conservation into other key sectors and a scenario planning that is sensitive to economic and cultural diversity. Additionally, private sector partnerships could be set up to finance biodiversity protection and a better cross-border regional collaboration could be established.<\/p>\n

Europe and Central Asia<\/b> made some progress in mainstreaming the value of biodiversity and nature\u2019s contribution to people. They also increased the areas under protection. This could be enhanced by measuring national welfare beyond the GDP.<\/p>\n

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Infographic: Katharina Funk (Icons designed by Freepik from www.flaticon.com)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Photo: IPBES<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A few days ago, the 6th plenary meeting of IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) ended in Medellin, Colombia, where the regional assessments of biodiversity and ecosystem services for Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Central Asia were approved. The extensively peer-reviewed reports are providing answers for the questions: Why is biodiversity […]<\/p>\n

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