2024 has proven to be a busy year for the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC). From advocating for biodiversity at UN global conferences, to publishing cutting-edge scientific research and providing data and insights for informed decision-making – our remit has been wide and varied as we continue to support countries towards achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), for a future where we live in harmony with nature.

The latest findings show that this struggle is more urgent than ever. In the last 50 years wildlife populations have shrunk by around 73 per cent on average, and more than one in three tree species around the world are facing extinction. Meanwhile, over 100 million hectares of land are degraded every year through urbanization, deforestation and overexploitation. The loss of nature is part of the triple planetary crisis that we are facing, alongside climate change, and pollution and waste.  

Although these figures are daunting, there is still cause for hope. There were four major Conferences of the Parties (COPs) which took place this year, significantly amplifying the environmental agenda and highlighting the complex links between nature, people and the planet. Meanwhile, initiatives around the globe are effecting real change, and we should take these efforts as examples as we begin the new year.

Below, we present a few of UNEP-WCMC’s contributions to addressing biodiversity loss from 2024 and explore what they mean for people and for nature.

1. We quantified the plight faced by migratory species in a landmark UN report

Earlier this year, we launched the first-ever State of the World’s Migratory Species Report. This comprehensive assessment provides a vital global overview of the population status of migratory animals – from the wandering albatross to the snow leopard and the hammerhead shark.

The findings of the report are striking: it shows that almost half (44 per cent) of CMS-listed species are showing population decline, and more than one in five (22 per cent) are threatened with extinction.

The evidence is clear that human activity has had a huge impact on these migratory species. However, the report provides a set of practical recommendations for action and also gives examples of successful conservation initiatives – such as those in Kazakhstan, which have brought the Saiga antelope back from the brink of extinction.

Read the full State of the World’s Migratory Species Report here.

2. We revealed that countries need to work faster to achieve 30 per cent protection of the planet by 2030

UNEP-WCMC experts provided an essential overview of the world’s protected and conserved areas with the launch of the Protected Planet Report 2024, produced in collaboration with IUCN.

The report is based on data from the World Database on Protected Areas and serves as the first global stocktake of these areas since agreement of the historic Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in 2022. It shows that while progress has been made, it has been limited. With 17.6 per cent of land and inland waters and 8.4 per cent of marine and coastal areas now being protected, there remains significant ground to be covered if we are to achieve the GBF’s ambitious Target 3 in protecting 30 per cent of the world by 2030, or ‘30x30’.

Furthermore, the report highlights the fact that protected and conserved areas are not always established in the locations that most need conserving, and that quality is of as much concern as quantity when it comes to governing these areas.

Read the full Protected Planet Report 2024 here.

3. We concluded a major research project into trade and sustainability, with global impacts

Agricultural commodities, wild meat and the wildlife trade are vital for the economies and livelihoods of many local communities, but they can also cause many environmental and social issues. For example, the production of resources such as rubber and soy can lead to widespread deforestation. The TRADE Hub was an ambitious, five-year multidisciplinary research project that sought to further explore these issues and find practical, on-the-ground solutions.

Funded by the UK Research and Innovation’s Global Challenges Research Fund and led by UNEP-WCMC, the TRADE Hub operated as a partnership between more than 50 organizations and across more than 15 countries. Key achievements of the project included influencing trade policy through data mapping, spearheading behavioural change in the consumption of wild meat and raising awareness of the struggles of coffee and cocoa farmers through the award-winning documentary, A Smallholder’s Voice.

Read the TRADE Hub Impact Report here.

4. We brought together 175 stakeholders and experts to galvanize private sector action on nature loss

This summer, the Centre hosted its first Nature Action Dialogues, a dynamic event that saw 175 private sector stakeholders and nature experts come together for two days of insightful discussion. The aim was to bridge the gap between business and biodiversity, exploring how the private sector can tailor approaches to respect planetary boundaries whilst meeting societal needs.

The Dialogues proved to be a fantastic learning experience for all involved. They also provided an opportunity for private sector stakeholders to learn more about the expert support and guidance that UNEP-WCMC is able to offer, for example through the Proteus Partnership, and tools such as the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT), which businesses can use to access essential data to inform their strategy decisions.

We are pleased to be hosting the second edition of the Nature Action Dialogues in Cambridge from 25-26 March, 2025. Find out more and register for the event here.

5. We co-developed an innovative training course to help countries harness the power of nature

As the impacts of climate change continue to intensify, adaptation measures by countries become all the more important. However, National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) have often neglected the role that nature can play in these measures, which can hamper their effectiveness and cause further damage to the environment.

To help address this issue, experts at UNEP-WCMC co-developed a new free training course that encourages policymakers and government officials to rethink their approach to this process. ‘Bringing Nature into National Adaptation Planning’ is an engaging and immersive course that aims to demystify key terms such as ‘nature-based solutions’, provide applied examples of these solutions in action and demonstrate how nature can be incorporated into each stage of the NAP process.

Find out more about the course and how to enrol here.

6. We supported multilateral discussions at milestone UN gatherings

This year was extremely important for the UN environmental agenda, with COPs taking place for the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD), the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

UNEP-WCMC had delegates on the ground at each of these events. Our experts supported in multilateral negotiations, provided guidance on key discussion points including monitoring and target indicators, and participated in a wide range of side events covering topics from climate resilience to responsible land stewardship and sustainable private finance. Read their reflections from CMS COP14, from CBD COP16, from UNFCCC COP29 and UNCCD COP16.

We also had a delegation at the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, the world’s top decision-making body on the environment. Our team organized and moderated events, provided briefing materials and participated in discussions at this important gathering.

7. We warned that nature degradation could reduce GDP significantly

Nature-related risks are as damaging to the economy as climate risks – or even more so – and yet they are not being sufficiently factored into financial and business decision-making.

This was the key message of a first-of-its-kind analysis led by the Green Finance Institute and contributed to by experts at UNEP-WCMC. The report, Assessing the Materiality of Nature-Related Financial Risks for the UK, found that degradation of ecosystems is slowing UK growth and productivity and could lead to a loss in GDP of an estimated 12 per cent as early as 2030. To put it into context, this projected loss is greater than those caused by the global financial crisis and by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Underpinning the analysis was an assessment of data supplied by the Bank of England on UK banks and insurers’ investments by sector. This was carried out using ENCORE, a powerful online tool co-developed by UNEP-WCMC which allows financial institutions to understand their dependencies and impact on nature.

Read the full Nature-Related Financial Risks for the UK report here.

8. We advanced the monitoring of Indigenous Peoples’ roles in biodiversity conservation and rights to biodiversity

Earlier this year, we co-hosted an ‘Expert Workshop on Traditional Knowledge Indicators’ in Cambridge. This three-day event brought together more than 30 Indigenous representatives to share their expertise. The focus was on reviewing and refining traditional knowledge indicators that would show the impact of Indigenous Peoples and local communities’ knowledge and practices in efforts to implement the GBF.  

As a result of the workshop, recommendations were taken forward for the inclusion of traditional knowledge indicators in the GBF monitoring framework. The recommendations were reviewed at CBD COP16 part one but are yet to be adopted, as the relevant decision was not agreed due to suspension of the COP. However, there are very good prospects for these to be included in the relevant decision at COP16 part two next year. This will be a huge step forward in encouraging and supporting countries to integrate indicators relating to the rights of Indigenous Peoples, emphasizing the importance of integrating traditional knowledge in national planning and reporting to the CBD.

Meanwhile, understanding and recognition of the conservation efforts of Indigenous Peoples and local communities was strengthened with the public launch of the ICCA Registry, an important resource hosted by UNEP-WCMC which provides vital data on the territories and areas protected by these groups.

9. We used ground-breaking research to reveal the distribution of more than 35,000 plants used by people

Plants are essential for human life, providing us with food, medicine, clothing and fuel. However, research undertaken by UNEP-WCMC in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, published in Science, has shown that the plants we use are not being adequately protected.

Analysing a first-of-its-kind map showing the global distribution of plants used by humans, the research team was able to pinpoint areas of plant richness and diversity. More than 11 million observations of plant species were recorded by botanists across the world, with innovative machine-learning algorithms then used to predict geographic distribution.

What became clear from the analysis is that areas with a high concentration of plants used by humans are largely unprotected. Swift action is required to conserve these vital environments so that we can continue to benefit from the plants that they sustain for future generations, and ensure the long-term diversity of plant populations.

10. We strengthened the case for green investment with our ‘Closing the Gap’ report

Investing in nature is often considered as a ‘nice-to-have’, and something to be taken into account once all other targets are met. However, the evidence is clear that nature is essential in order for humans to thrive.

What’s more, it makes sound business sense, as highlighted in our 2024 report, Closing the Gap: Investing in Natural Capital to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. The report, commissioned by the Green Growth Knowledge Partnership, examines how much countries would need to invest to meet key UN SDGs relating to nature, such as more efficient use of natural resources and reducing pollution.

The findings are remarkable: an estimated USD 7.4 trillion would need to be invested between now and 2030 to meet nine nature-related SDGs, but the return in terms of so-called ‘natural capital’ would be USD 152 trillion, or USD 20 for every dollar spent. This investment would avoid nearly 4.5 million premature deaths during the same timeframe; furthermore, it would provide an essential boost to low and lower-middle income countries.

Read the full Closing the Gap report here.

We are excited for the opportunities that 2025 will bring – new projects to be launched, new partnerships to be forged and new discoveries to be made. There is no denying that these are challenging times, but we remain steadfast in our mission to develop knowledge and capacity for a nature-positive world.

Be sure to keep up to date with UNEP-WCMC’s work by signing up for our newsletter. If you’re interested in finding out more about any of our projects or in pursuing a potential collaboration, please get in touch using the email address below.

Main image: Gray langur in Kanha Kisli National Park, India. Photo: Vincent van Zalinge / Unsplash