Contributed by the Convention on Biological Diversity

– UN ’s Global Biodiversity Outlook 5 report outlines eight major transitions needed to slow, then halt nature’s accelerating decline.

– Final report card on Aichi Biodiversity Targets, set in 2010: 6 of world’s 20 goals “partially achieved” by 2020 deadline.

– Towards a landmark new global post 2020 biodiversity framework: GBO 5 synthesizes scientific basis for urgent action.

– Bright spots include: extinctions prevented by conservation, more land and oceans protected, fish stocks bounce back in well managed fisheries.

15 September 2020 Despite encouraging progress in several areas, the natural world is suffering badly and getting worse. Eight transformative changes are, therefore, urgently needed to ensure human wellbeing and save the planet, the UN warns in a major report.

The report comes as the COVID 19 pandemic challenges people to rethink their relationship with nature, and to consider the profound consequences to their own wellbeing and survival that can result from continued biodiversity loss and the degradation of ecosystems.

The Global Biodiversity Outlook 5 (GBO 5), published by the UN Convention on Biological Diversity ( offers an authoritative overview of the state of nature.

It is a final report card on progress against the 20 global biodiversity targets agreed in 2010 with a 2020 deadline, and offers lessons learned and best practices for getting on track.

This flagship report underlines that humanity stands at a crossroads with regard to the legacy we wish to leave to future generations. Many
good things are happening around the world and these should be celebrated and encouraged. Nevertheless, the rate of biodiversity loss is unprecedented in human history and pressures are intensifying. Earth’s living systems as a whole are being compromised. And the more humanity exploits nature in unsustainable ways and undermines its contributions to people, the more we undermine our own well being, security and prosperity.

As nature degrades, new opportunities emerge for the spread to humans and animals of devastating diseases like this year’s coronavirus. The window of time available is short, but the pandemic has also demonstrated that transformative changes a re possible when they must be made.

The decisions and level of action we take now will have profound consequences for good or ill for all species, including ours.

CBD Executive Secretary, Elizabeth Maruma Mrema.

With respect to the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, set in 2010, the analysis based on the 6th set of national reports to the CBD and the latest scientific findings shows that seven of 60 elements success criteria within the 20 targets have been achieved and 38 show progress. In the case of 13 elements, no progress was made, or a move away from the target was indicated, and for two elements the level of progress is unknown. The report concludes that, overall, of the 20 targets, six of them ( 11, 16, 17, 19 and 20) were partially achieved by the 2020 deadline.

Read the full Press Release Here