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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.

01 Mar 2024 12:34

2030 Seagrass Breakthrough

This video by UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) President H.E. Razan Al Mubarak on World Seagrass Day highlights the 2030 Seagrass Breakthrough, an initiative announced at UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP28 that aims to establish a collective framework of action for seagrass conservation worldwide, aligning with global agendas. 

28 Feb 2024 12:07

Colombia unveils COP16 logo to the world and sends a message of 'Peace with Nature'

 

27 Feb 2024 15:45

Financing Nature-based Solutions for a better future

 

16 Feb 2024 15:07

New global initiative to protect and connect natural areas

Herd of elephants

Natural habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation are two of the most serious hazards to migratory wild animal species. A major new programme launched at the UN wildlife summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, aims to ensure that places important to migratory species are identified, protected, and connected. The Global Partnership on Ecological Connectivity (GPEC) was announced on the margins of the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP14) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).

Find out more

14 Feb 2024 15:56

Is the world making good on a landmark pact to protect nature?

Arctic fox with sea behind
Photo: UNEP/Stephanie Foote

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework consists of global targets to be achieved by 2030 and beyond to safeguard and sustainably use biodiversity. Ahead of the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), read this Q&A to discover the importance of the framework and whether countries are positioned to deliver on its promise. 

13 Feb 2024 10:09

Nature is staging a comeback: UN recognizes seven World Restoration Flagships

Collage of 2024 World Restoration Flagships
Photo: UNEP

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) have named seven initiatives from Africa, Latin America, the Mediterranean, and South Asia as UN World Restoration Flagships. These initiatives include ecosystems at the tipping point of outright degradation resulting from wildfires, drought, deforestation, and pollution. They are now eligible for technical and financial UN support.

The World Restoration Flagships awards are part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration – led by UNEP and FAO – which aims to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. 

Read the full press release

12 Feb 2024 19:00

Migratory species know no borders; nor should conservation efforts

UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen delivers a speech
Photo: UNEP/Duncan Moore

"Migratory species tell us how nature is doing. How our planet is doing. Tell us about the challenges that humanity creates for these migratory beings. Challenges of pollution, challenges of climate change, challenges of fragmentation of landscapes, challenges of walls and barriers, challenges of plastic debris, challenges of human activity on the ocean floor, challenges of ocean traffic and so much more." - Inger Andersen, UNEP Executive Director.

Read the full speech delivered at the opening ceremony of the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP14).

12 Feb 2024 18:23

Landmark UN report: The world’s migratory species of animals are in decline, and the global extinction risk is increasing

Birds flying in the air
Photo: Pixabay/Kranich17

The first-ever State of the World’s Migratory Species report reveals shocking figures of declining species populations. The report investigates the conservation status and population trends of migratory animals and highlights the latest information on their main threats and successful interventions to save them.

Read the press release.

09 Feb 2024 16:07

UN Environment Assembly to take on climate change, nature loss, pollution

Delegates will gather for the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), the world’s top decision-making body on the environment from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The assembly brings together 193 Member States, intergovernmental organizations, the broader UN system, civil society groups, the scientific community and the private sector to shape global environmental policy.

Delegates are expected to discuss how multilateralism can help tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate changenature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.

31 Jan 2024 20:50

GEF family of funds set for ambitious investments in nature

Two penguins
Photo: UNEP/Olle Nordell

The inaugural board meeting of the new Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) will be held during the 66th Global Environment Facility Council meeting from February 5–9.

The Global Environment Facility Council will decide on over $1 billion in funding for climate change adaptation, biodiversity, ocean health, pollution management, and other initiatives.

Related Sustainable Development Goals