Nature is humanity’s lifeline. Human health, food, economies and well-being depend on nature. Yet nature is in crisis. One million of the world’s estimated 8 million species of plants and animals are threatened with extinction. Meanwhile, ecosystem degradation is affecting the well-being of 40 per cent of the global population.
The spotlight on nature and biodiversity highlights updates from around the UN System, from partners and others, helping to call attention to the need for a just, prosperous and sustainable future for all.
11 Feb
2025
20:22
Kunming Biodiversity Fund call for Expression of Interest for the Independent Technical Advisory Group
Credit: UNEP/Artan Jama
The Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF) is a new Multi-Partner Trust Fund established in 2024 by China, the UN Environment Programme, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Development Programme to support developing countries to accelerate the implementation of their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans. The KBF is governed at four levels: an Executive Council, an International Secretariat, the Administrative Agent, and an Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG).
The ITAG will serve as an advisory body bringing independent, impartial expert knowledge and advice on biodiversity conservation and environmental governance to the Fund. It will act through the combined strengths of its members’ individual professional contributions to ensure the technical integrity, relevance and complementarity of KBF activities.
This is an exciting opportunity to support this new fund in bridging the biodiversity financing gap and ensuring a whole-of-society approach to biodiversity action.
Saving the ocean: 54th International Letter-Writing Competition
It’s time to give the ocean a voice!🌊
For the 54th International Letter-Writing Competition #ILWC, UPU, @IMOHQ, and @UNESCO invite children from around the world to write letters that inspire action to #SaveOurOcean.
Review of trade sustainability and conservation progress for pangolins, seahorses, rosewoods and more at upcoming CITES Standing Committee’s 78th meeting
Credit: Adobe Stock / Alexander Sliwa / filipeprates / mario mairal iNaturalist
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Standing Committee will hold its 78th meeting (SC78) on 3-8 February 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. From African carnivores and anguillid eels to rosewoods and orchids, the meeting will delve into the sustainability challenges and conservation progress for a wide range of species included in the CITES Appendices.
17 Jan
2025
07:09
Now online: IPBES Nexus Assessment
The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Assessment Report on the Interlinkages Among Biodiversity, Water, Food and Health—known as the Nexus Report—Summary for Policymakers is available online.
The Summary for Policymakers contains the most comprehensive assessment of the interconnections between biodiversity, water, food, health and climate.
30 Dec
2024
17:09
Looking back at the environmental highs - and lows - of 2024
Credit: UNEP
From a landmark deal to fund conservation to chilling news about greenhouse gas emissions, 2024 was a rollercoaster year for the planet.
Today, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) announced the recipients of the 2024 Champions of the Earth, honoured for their outstanding leadership, brave actions and sustainable solutions to tackle land degradation, drought and desertification. This year’s laureates include a minister of Indigenous Peoples, an environmental defender, a sustainable agriculture initiative, an Indigenous rights advocate, a scientist focused on afforestation and a pioneering ecologist.
Quiz: How much do you know about biodiversity loss?
Credit: UNEP/Jose Andres Ignacio
Biodiversity is in crisis. As land degradation threatens essential ecosystem services such as regulating climate and providing benefits to people, experts are turning to what they dub the world’s boldest plan yet to make peace with nature, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Explore the virtual peatland pavilion at UNCCD COP16
Photo: Unsplash/Walter Frehner
Step into an immersive virtual reality space dedicated to peatlands worldwide, a collaboration between the UNEP-led Global Peatlands Initiative and the IUCN UK Peatland Programme.
This cutting-edge digital experience offers a dynamic platform to discover the importance of peatlands through interactive multimedia content. Engage with the latest research, case studies, and innovative projects while fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Peatlands, covering only 3 to 4 per cent of Earth's surface, store one-third of global soil carbon—twice as much as all forests combined. These vital ecosystems also support biodiversity, buffer against environmental disasters, purify water, regulate clean water sources, and sustain local livelihoods.
07 Dec
2024
12:00
Rethinking ecosystem restoration from the ground up: a celebration of indigenous and community stewardship
Photo: UNEP/Duncan Moore
The planet is home to over 476 million Indigenous people spread across 90 countries. Together, they own, manage, or occupy roughly one-quarter of the world’s land—a territory that has consistently outperformed much of the rest of the planet in terms of environmental health.
Indigenous communities are often at the forefront of conservation efforts worldwide. Their deep connection to the land positions them uniquely to provide invaluable insights into local biodiversity and environmental changes. This makes them critical contributors to biodiversity governance.
Today, at UNCCD COP16, an event will spotlight the vital role of Indigenous Peoples in ecosystem restoration. It also seeks to emphasize to policymakers and Member States the need for meaningful representation and active involvement of Indigenous Peoples in restoration agendas.
