Addressing the nature crisis: COP15 and the global post-2020 Biodiversity Framework

Author: Ellie Wood

PDF Published: Monday 11 Oct 2021 (SB 21-69)

Image showing genetic diversity, diversity between species, and diversity of ecosystems. Together these three levels of variation are known as 'biodiversity'.

Image: Figure 1: Biodiversity includes genetic diversity within species and variation between species and ecosystems

Image: Figure 2: Interactions are an important component of biodiverse ecosystems

Map of Scotland indicating locations of six habitat types: maerl beds in the Fetlar to Haroldswick Marine Protected Area, coastal machair at Loch Druidibeg, South Uist, blanket bog at Carn nan Tri-tighhearnan, Inverness, freshwater environments on the River Tay, temperate rainforests at Taynish National Nature Reserve in Argyll and urban greenspace in Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow.

Image: Figure 3: A snapshot of the variety of life found in Scotland

Diagram showing how ecosystem services such as nutritious food, opportunities for recreation, climate and flood regulation and fertile soils support human wellbeing. Aspects of human wellbeing include secure access to resources, personal safety, physical fitness, good mental health, enjoyment of nature and healthy foods.

Image: Figure 4: Ecosystem services support human wellbeing

Graph showing the extinction rate of vertebrates between 1500 and 2014 - with a strong acceleration in extinctions from 1700-1800 to present day. The greatest cumulative extinctions as a percentage of IUCN-evaluated species is experienced by mammals and birds.

Image: Figure 5: The vertebrate species extinction rate has accelerated since the Industrial Revolution and is now up to 100 times higher than it would be without extinctions caused by humans

A graph showing that average abundance of animal groups has been decreasing between 1970 and 2016. Average abundance of 20,811 populations representing 4,392 species monitored across the globe declined by 68%.

Image: Figure 6: Globally, populations of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles reduced in size by an average of 68% between 1970 and 2016

Bar chart showing average percentage declines in animal population abundance across different world regions between 1970 and 2016. The greatest declines have been in Latin America and the Caribbean at 94%, followed by Africa at 65%, Asia-Pacific at 45%, North America at 33% and Europe and Central Asia at 24%.

Image: Figure 7: Between 1970 and 2016, animal populations reduced in size in all regions of the world - with the greatest declines in Latin America and the Caribbean

Scale showing how nations and territories of the world rank for their biodiversity intactness - from 1 (least biodiversity intact) to 240 (most biodiversity intact). The figure shows that the UK ranks the lowest of the G7 countries for biodiversity intactness at 50% biodiversity intactness. Scotland ranks slightly higher than the UK as a whole, with 56% biodiversity intactness.

Image: Figure 8: National and regional biodiversity intactness rankings

Infographic showing key pressures on nature in Scotland from the State of Nature Scotland 2019 report: agricultural management, climate change, hydrological change, woodland management, pollution, invasive non-native species, urbanisation, upland management, marine climate change, fisheries.

Image: Figure 9: Drivers of biodiversity loss in Scotland

Policy areas for biodiversity mainstreaming in Scotland: rural policy, fisheries, forestry policy, climate policy, national planning.

Image: Figure 11: Key policy areas influencing Scotland's biodiversity

Timeline showing key events for the Convention on Biological Diversity since entering into force in 1993 and expectations ahead of its 2050 Vision of Living in Harmony with Nature. Thus far, biodiversity has continued to decline since the CBD came into force.

Image: Figure 10: Timeline of CBD events and targets (so far not achieved)

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