Intelligence Briefing about Biodiversity

Critical Trends Impacting Plan International

• Accelerating biodiversity loss, including the sixth mass extinction, poses severe risks to ecosystems, human health, and community resilience (PMC NCBI).
• Ongoing habitat degradation and species decline are evident globally, from imperilled marine life like sharks and rays to terrestrial species in Wales, East Asia, and beyond (The Conversation, Wales Online, Farmonaut).
• Urban expansion, monoculture, and land degradation continue to threaten biodiversity and land productivity, underscoring the need for integrated land-use planning (Farmonaut).
• Recognition of ocean systems as vital for climate regulation and biodiversity offers new frameworks for conservation and sustainable livelihoods (SEI).
• Investment in nature-based solutions presents significant economic and social opportunities, especially in climate adaptation, food security, and community resilience (GCA).

Key Challenges, Opportunities, and Risks

• Challenges: Addressing species extinction, habitat loss, and ecosystem collapse amidst growing urbanization and climate stress; mitigating risks from invasive species and ecosystem imbalances.
• Opportunities: Leveraging international frameworks to better align biodiversity strategies with climate adaptation; fostering bioeconomy growth with bio-based chemicals and sustainable land use.
• Risks: Cascading impacts on food, water security, public health, and geopolitical stability; unpredictable climate extremes exacerbating vulnerabilities.

Scenario Development

• Best-Case: Coordinated global action leads to significant investment in nature-based solutions and strong biodiversity governance, halting species loss and restoring ecosystem services. Communities benefit from improved resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
• Moderate Progress: Partial implementation of biodiversity and climate strategies stabilizes some ecosystems, but urban expansion and monocultures continue to degrade others. Some species recover while others remain endangered.
• Worsening Crisis: Inadequate action results in accelerated biodiversity loss, ecosystem failures, and increased climate impacts, undermining food and water systems and exacerbating social vulnerabilities.
• Worst-Case: Unchecked environmental degradation and climate extremes trigger widespread ecosystem collapse with severe consequences for human health, economic systems, and geopolitical stability.

Strategic Questions for Senior Policy Advisors

• How can Plan International effectively integrate biodiversity considerations into its programs to enhance community resilience and well-being?
• What role could partnerships with international and national biodiversity initiatives play in amplifying impact?
• How might emerging bioeconomy opportunities be leveraged to support sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable populations?
• In what ways can nature-based solutions be scaled to address intersecting climate, food security, and biodiversity challenges?
• What strategies could mitigate the risks posed by ecosystem degradation on child health, education, and protection?

Actionable Insights and Considerations

• Plan International could prioritize programming that supports nature-based solutions to simultaneously address climate adaptation and biodiversity preservation, particularly in vulnerable regions.
• Investing in community education around biodiversity and ecosystem health could enhance local stewardship and reduce risks from habitat loss and environmental hazards.
• Strengthening collaboration with international biodiversity frameworks and local governments could help align interventions with national adaptation plans and financing mechanisms.
• Exploring partnerships in emerging sustainable bioeconomy sectors could create new livelihood opportunities while promoting environmental sustainability.
• Integrating ecosystem health indicators into monitoring and evaluation could improve early detection of risks impacting children’s well-being and inform adaptive program strategies.