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Spotlight on nature and biodiversity

Ocean Image Bank/Gregory Piper

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.

This feed will keep you up to date on the latest news from the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2 to 13 December 2024.

09 Dec 2024 10:31

Explore the virtual peatland pavilion at UNCCD COP16

Peatlands in the Isle of South, UK

Photo: Walter Frehner/Unsplash

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.

Last updated at
07 Dec 2024 12:00

Rethinking ecosystem restoration from the ground up: a celebration of indigenous and community stewardship

Indigenous peoples' activist
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.

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07 Dec 2024 09:00

Restoration for resilience: greening beyond borders with evidence-based research

Greening Saudi Arabia project

Photo: Photo: UNEP/Duncan Moore

Taking place today at UNEP’s pavilion at the UNCCD COP16 is an event highlighting the crucial role of evidence-based research in advancing restoration initiatives while facilitating the transfer of knowledge and best practices among nations.

By showcasing Saudi Arabia’s contributions and aligning these efforts with Vision 2030, the event will emphasize how global partnerships and innovative approaches can accelerate progress toward ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation.

Last updated at
06 Dec 2024 13:30

Funding call for proposals available now

The Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF) is a new Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) which aims to support developing countries in accelerating implementation of their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).

At the Sixteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16) in Cali, Colombia, in October, the KBF announced its first full-size Call for Proposals, as well as an Expression of Interest (EoI) process to form the Fund's Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG), an independent expert body which provides technical support to the Fund's decision-making body.

We are pleased to announce that the guidance and application documents under the Call for Proposals and ITAG EoI have now been published and are available. Share these widely with your networks and appropriate individuals.

Last updated at
06 Dec 2024 10:17

UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Your ideas for the next 5 years

UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration sign in Ireland

The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration has made remarkable strides, uniting 280 global partners, establishing 17 UN World Restoration Flagships, and setting an ambitious goal of restoring 200 million hectares of degraded land. Its initiatives span various sectors, from the Freshwater Challenge to the innovative Generation Restoration Cities program.

Launched alongside World Environment Day in 2021, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration has reached hundreds of millions worldwide, transforming "ecosystem restoration" from a niche concern into a trending global movement.
 

Last updated at
05 Dec 2024 18:14

Five reasons why soil health is declining worldwide

land restoration project in Senegal

Photo: UNEP/Jack Hewson

Today is Agra-food system day at the UNCCD COP16. Soil is the foundation of the global food system. And, according to a recent study in the journal Nature, it is home to nearly 60 per cent of all species. But every year, the world loses billions of tonnes of topsoil to overgrazing, deforestation, pollution and other threats. 

At the UNCCD COP16, negotiators are slated to discuss commitments that nations have made to stem the loss of soil and achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030.

On World Soil Day, celebrated annually on 5 December, here are five key reasons for the decline in soil health and potential solutions. 

Last updated at
05 Dec 2024 13:23

Building resilience through restoration: partnering for climate


At a UNCCD COP16 side event today, stakeholders explored the intersection of land restoration and climate adaptation. The discussion emphasized the role of land restoration in building climate resilience and addressed challenges such as funding limitations, policy barriers, and community engagement. 

Ecosystems face severe pressures, including biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and deforestation, which intensify climate impacts. Integrating land restoration with climate adaptation offers a powerful solution to these crises.

Restoring degraded lands not only revitalizes ecosystems but also strengthens their resilience to climate shocks, supporting sustainable development for vulnerable communities. By rebuilding natural systems, these efforts reduce climate risks, enhance food security, and foster biodiversity.

Last updated at
05 Dec 2024 13:03

Land Restoration Moonshot: Success Stories - UNCCD COP16

Mangrove restoration in Sri Lanka

Photo: UNEP/Todd Brown

Watch this session and take you on a journey across the globe, spotlighting groundbreaking land restoration initiatives and flagship projects. Through compelling video footage and a dynamic panel discussion with on-the-ground implementers, gain unique insights into transformative efforts to restore our planet's ecosystems. Don’t miss this opportunity to see impactful stories and innovations in action. 

Last updated at
05 Dec 2024 11:45

Experience the beauty of ecosystem restoration at UNEP’s pavilion

 

Man engages with virtual reality

Visitors from over 190 countries can experience the impact of ecosystem restoration through virtual reality.

At the UNEP pavilion, two immersive films bring these efforts to life: one highlights the return of mountain gorillas in East Africa, while the other focuses on snow leopards in Central Asia.

If you're attending UNCCD COP16, visit the UNEP pavilion to explore these stories firsthand!

Last updated at
04 Dec 2024 15:11

Fashion4Land: Unravelling the environmental impact of fibres

Event poster
A side event at UNCCD COP16 will feature a panel of experts and high-level speakers to explore the link between fashion and land degradation. The discussion will examine how fiber choices—natural and synthetic—affect land use and soil health.

The panel will also address the fashion value chain’s environmental impact, showcasing sustainable practices and emphasizing the role of policies, market mechanisms, and innovations in promoting land-friendly fashion.

The fashion industry significantly influences land use, soil health, and degradation. Different fibers pose distinct challenges: cotton depletes soil resources, wool and cashmere contribute to overgrazing and desertification, synthetic fibers pollute through microplastics, and wood-based fibers can drive deforestation.

While alternative materials like agricultural waste fibers hold promise, they remain niche and lack widespread adoption. The industry's scale, fast-paced consumption, and reliance on resource-intensive materials strain natural systems, intensifying land degradation and challenging sustainable production practices.

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Topics

Related Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 1

Goal 1: No Poverty
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Goal 2

Goal 2: Zero Hunger
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Goal 3

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being
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Goal 6

Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
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Goal 8

Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
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Goal 12

Goal 12: Sustainable Consumption and Production
+

Goal 13

Goal 13: Climate Action
+

Goal 14

Goal 14: Life Below Water
+

Goal 15

Goal 15: Life on Land
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