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.
15 Aug
2024
14:04
GFCR Supports Landmark ‘Debt-For-Nature’ Swap to Protect Indonesia’s Coral Reefs
In the heart of the Amazon, a forest-friendly model for development takes root
Credit: UNEP/Florian Fussstetter
Every year, the world loses enough forest cover to fill Portugal, with much of that deforestation happening in 20 tropical countries, including Brazil. In the wildlife rich Amazon, home to 9 per cent of mammals and 14 per cent of birds, deforestation is threatening the survival of tens of thousands of species. It is also driving climate change: when trees decay or are burned, they release carbon dioxide, a planet-warming greenhouse gas.
Brazil: a historical moment for urban and peri-urban agriculture
Credit: Ricardo Stuckert
Brazil endorsed the National Policy of Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture, which President Lula signed on 26th, July. The policy is part of a broader effort to increase food production in urban areas, in line with national programmes for urban agriculture and food security.
The new law seeks to promote food security, minimize waste, and expand local economies through better utilization of urban spaces. Key measures include technical support; financial support for farmers in the city; and the creation of unique credit facilities to encourage direct sales through local markets. In addition, the policy encourages environmental education, organic farming practices, and recycling of organic waste.
UNEP, through the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) initiative, collaborated with the Brazilian government on this policy. TEEB's coordination brought together stakeholders, including ministries, academia, and civil society, to advance the agenda of sustainable urban farming. The draft policy bill underwent rigorous consultations and revisions, until its final approval in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate – thus ensuring all stakeholder concerns were addressed.
The framework sets the stage for a sustainable future in urban agriculture by aiming to scale up food production in and around metropolitan areas while promoting environmental conservation and economic resilience.
29 Jul
2024
18:01
New policy brief on food systems transformation in India
Credit: The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Coinciding with India’s G20 Presidency, the TEEBAgriFood initiative in India focuses on transforming food systems by emphasizing the economic value of ecosystem services and biodiversity, underscoring the importance of integrating these into policy frameworks. The Promoting a Sustainable Agriculture and Food Sector in India brief, which includes results that support a strategy shift towards sustainable farming practices, calls for broad adoption of organic farming and agroforestry. This technique has shown potential for land restoration, improving soil health, enhancing water holding capacity and hence the health of watersheds, increasing agrobiodiversity, enhancing carbon sequestration, and supporting the empowerment of women in agriculture.
How halting deforestation can help counter the climate crisis
Credit: AFP/Valentin Flauraud
Every year, the world loses enough tree cover to fill Portugal. As countries prepare to update their national climate pledges in 2025, a key part of the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change, experts are urging them to include concrete targets to end deforestation and restore forests. Without those provisions, experts say, countries will be hard pressed to rein in a climate crisis that is shattering temperature records and unleashing a maelstrom of extreme weather around the world.
Five ways you can help save the environment this Mother Earth Day
Credit: UNEP/Todd Brown
The Biodiversity Plan, a 2022 global agreement to safeguard the natural world, is designed in part to make food systems more sustainable. Its 23 targets include conserving 30 per cent of land, sea and inland waters by 2030.
As nations move to implement the plan, non-profit groups and farmers around the world are already working to make agriculture more planet friendly. Here is a look at how they are doing that.
01 Jul
2024
13:45
Astrid Schomaker of Germany assumes role of UN Biodiversity Executive Secretary in Montreal
Assuming the role ahead of the sixteenth meeting of the CBD’s 196 Parties (COP 16), Ms. Schomaker brings extensive experience in international relations, negotiations, and global environmental policy-making and deep knowledge of the global sustainable development agenda and Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs).
28 Jun
2024
08:34
Republic of Azerbaijan to host World Environment Day 2026
World Environment Day, which Baku will host on 5 June 2026, is the largest global platform for environmental engagement and action. Established by the UN General Assembly in 1972, the Day inspires and is celebrated by millions of people worldwide, who participate in online and in-person activities and events around the world to accelerate environmental progress for people and planet.
27 Jun
2024
16:35
Media accreditation opens for UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Cali, Colombia
