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Spotlight on nature and biodiversity

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.

29 May 2024 22:44

Fourteen recommendations adopted at fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation

 

23 May 2024 15:34

New policy brief on sustainable food systems in China

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) initiative has launched the second of eight policy briefs to advocate for a sustainable food systems transition: "Promoting a Sustainable Agriculture and Food Sector in China." The brief explores the integration of ecological and economic strategies to enhance sustainable agriculture in China. It emphasises the importance of eco-friendly farming practices, efficient resource use, and the pivotal role of women in agri-food systems. Adopting a holistic systems-thinking approach, the policy brief aims to inform policies that balance environmental sustainability with economic development, ensuring long-term resilience and well-being for communities and ecosystems.

Take a look at the brief's full insights and policy recommendations.

20 May 2024 18:09

Biodiversity fund approves eighteen new project preparation grants

An elephant in Amboseli National Park, Kenya.
Photo: UNEP/Stephanie Foote

The Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) has allocated over $70 million for 18 new projects in 21 countries, including 13 Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States. This funding aims to sustain the momentum of the under-one-year-old fund at the Global Environment Facility to restore nature by 2030.

Read the press release.

15 May 2024 16:25

Second Global Meeting of National Focal Points

Event poster for the Second Global Meeting of  National Focal Points

The Montevideo Environmental Law Programme's mission is to advance environmental rule of law and strengthen global capacities to implement environmental law effectively. The second Global Meeting of National Focal Points for Montevideo Programme V will take place from 3–6 June 2024, at the United Nations Office in Nairobi.

The meeting will be held back-to-back with a global training on the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, scheduled for Thursday, 6 June 2024.  

13 May 2024 16:07

2024 World Wildlife Crime Report

Social media card for the 2024 World Wildlife Crime Report

Wildlife trafficking remains a massive issue, despite stricter laws and increased enforcement.

The third edition of the UN Office of Drugs and Crime's World Wildlife Report explores how engaging local people, combating corruption, and reducing demand for illegal wildlife items can aid in tackling the issue.

09 May 2024 13:58

Reviving one of the last places where tigers, rhinos, elephants coexist

Nepal’s Terai Arc Landscape is one of the last places where tigers, elephants, rhinos, and humans co-exist. In recent years, the country’s tiger population has tripled – but attacks were on the rise. Learn how the region found a new strategy to balance nature and human development.

The Terai Arc Landscape has been recognized as a World Restoration Flagship under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. These initiatives represent Earth’s frontiers of hope.

Watch the RESTORE documentary series to learn about winning solutions. 

30 Apr 2024 09:53

Quiz: How much do you know about degraded land, deserts and droughts?

People standing in front of vegetation during daytime
Photo: UNEP

This year’s World Environment Day, held on 5 June and hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, focuses on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience.

More than 2 billion hectares of land are degraded, affecting billions of people and threatening over half of global gross domestic product (GDP). Restoration improves livelihoods, lowers poverty, builds resilience to extreme weather and slows the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste

Take a quiz to find out how much you know about the biggest crises facing our ecosystems. 

24 Apr 2024 20:17

Communities unite to save high Andean forests, for water & climate

In the high Andes of Latin America, hundreds of communities are uniting across five countries to secure water sources and mitigate climate change. Learn how they do it – and why an old tree is a secret weapon in their fight.

Acción Andina has been recognized as a World Restoration Flagship under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Watch the RESTORE documentary series to learn about winning solutions.

22 Apr 2024 12:56

Share your hopes, fears and actions this Earth Day

 

19 Apr 2024 18:09

Five ways you can help save the environment this Mother Earth Day

A young woman tends to a cacao plant in the Philippines as part of a project to combat deforestation.
Photo: UNEP

Humanity is breaking all the wrong records on global warming. Fragile ecosystems face enormous pressure. More than 1 million plants, animals and other living things are at risk of being wiped out. Dirty air and chemical pollution threaten our land, ocean and health.

But International Mother Earth Day, on 22 April, is a reminder that there is a lot we can do, as individuals, to tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.

Each step counts. Each choice matters. Explore toolkits for taking environmental action.

Related Sustainable Development Goals