International Day for Biological Diversity 2024

International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) 2024

Date:

22 May 2024

Theme:

Be part of the Plan

Official website:

https://www.cbd.int/biodiversity-day

“Be part of the Plan”, the theme of International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) 2024, is a call to action for all stakeholders to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, also referred to as the Biodiversity Plan.

The Biodiversity Plan offers opportunities for cooperation and partnerships among diverse actors.

Governments, indigenous peoples and local communities, non-governmental organizations, lawmakers, businesses, and individuals are encouraged to highlight the ways in which they are supporting the implementation of the Biodiversity Plan. Everyone has a role to play and therefore can Be Part of the Plan.

IDB 2024 is expected to increase the visibility momentum in the lead-up to the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16), to be held in Colombia from 21 October to 1 November 2024.

Background

Biological diversity is often understood in terms of the wide variety of plants, animals and microorganisms, but it also includes genetic differences within each species — for example, between varieties of crops and breeds of livestock — and the variety of ecosystems (lakes, forest, deserts, agricultural landscapes) that host multiple kind of interactions among their members (humans, plants, animals).

Biological diversity resources are the pillars upon which we build civilizations. Fish provide 20 per cent of animal protein to about 3 billion people. Over 80 per cent of the human diet is provided by plants. As many as 80 per cent of people living in rural areas in developing countries rely on traditional plant‐based medicines for basic healthcare.

But loss of biodiversity threatens all, including our health. It has been proven that biodiversity loss could expand zoonoses – diseases transmitted from animals to humans- while, on the other hand, if we keep biodiversity intact, it offers excellent tools to fight against pandemics like those caused by coronaviruses.

While there is a growing recognition that biological diversity is a global asset of tremendous value to future generations, the number of species is being significantly reduced by certain human activities. Given the importance of public education and awareness about this issue, the UN decided to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity annually.

Further resources

• UNEP’s spotlight on nature and biodiversity

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 15: Life on Land
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The article discusses the loss of biodiversity and the need for cooperation and partnerships to implement the Biodiversity Plan. These issues align with SDG 15, which focuses on protecting and restoring ecosystems and halting biodiversity loss. Additionally, SDG 17 emphasizes the importance of partnerships and collaboration to achieve sustainable development goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species
• Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources

The article highlights the need to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity through the implementation of the Biodiversity Plan. This aligns with Target 15.5 under SDG 15. Additionally, the article emphasizes the importance of cooperation and partnerships among diverse actors to support the Biodiversity Plan, which relates to Target 17.16 under SDG 17.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index
• Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, Indicator 15.5.1, which measures the Red List Index, can be used to assess progress towards Target 15.5 under SDG 15. The Red List Index provides information on the conservation status of species and can indicate whether efforts to protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species are effective. Indicator 17.16.1, which measures the number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks, can be used to track progress towards Target 17.16 under SDG 17. This indicator reflects the level of engagement and collaboration among stakeholders in implementing sustainable development goals.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: unep.org

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