The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development covers 17 goals, the 15th of which is “Life on Land,” namely: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Under this major goal, there are 12 targets, the 15.5 of which is “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.”

● Current Situation

The World

23% of Earth’s natural habitats could be gone by 2100, study finds

Habitat loss is probably the greatest threat to the variety of life on this planet today. It is identified as a main threat to 85% of all species described in the IUCN’s Red List (those species officially classified as “Threatened” and “Endangered”).

As people around the world increasingly disturb natural habitats and convert them to agricultural and urban areas, the way that local communities interact with the animal species around them also changes. Climate change and global food demand could drive a startling loss of up to 23%of all natural habitat ranges in the next 80 years, according to new findings published in Nature Communications. “Whether these past trends in habitat range losses will reverse, continue, or accelerate will depend on future global carbon emissions and societal choices in the coming years and decades,” study leader Andrea Manica, a professor at the University of Cambridge's Department of Zoology, explained.

Source: wwf.panda.org, weforum.org, zsl.org

China

The trend of biodiversity loss in China has not been curbed yet

China has established the BRI  International Green Development Coalition, and more than 40 countries have become partners to cooperate in biodiversity protection, global climate change governance and green transition. 

Under the framework of “South-South Cooperation,” China actively provides support for biodiversity conservation in developing countries. 

In addition, China has also established the Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to carry out joint scientific investigations, major scientific research, policy consultation and personnel training. China has established the China-Africa Environmental Cooperation Center to promote environmental technology cooperation and share opportunities for green development.

However, Wang Zhibin, director of the Natural Ecological Protection Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, pointed out that although ecological protection has achieved certain results, the situation of ecological protection in the country is still very severe. The quality and function problems of ecosystems in some areas are prominent, and the trend of biodiversity loss has not yet been curbed effectively. The problem of ecological damage still occurs from time to time, and the pressure and threatening posed by irrational resource development and utilization on the ecological space still exist. China will continue to strengthen ecological protection supervision, and continuously improve the ability of ecological protection supervision, so as to guard the boundaries of natural ecological security, and to build a solid foundation for a beautiful China.

Source: chinasei.com.cn, cenews.com.cn

●Cases

The World

Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative

Like many grasslands around the world, the vast steppes of Central Asia are in decline due to factors like overgrazing, conversion to arable land and the shifting climate.

In Kazakhstan, the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative has been working since 2005 to restore the steppe, semi-desert and desert ecosystems within the historic range of the Saiga, a once abundant antelope critically endangered by hunting and habitat loss.

In fact, the Saiga population had plunged to 50,000 in 2006 but rebounded to 1.3 million in 2022. As well as reviving and protecting the steppe, the initiative has helped conserve wetlands that are a vital stopover for an estimated 10 million migratory birds. Among the key bird species are the sociable lapwing, the red-breasted goose, the white-headed duck and the Siberian crane.

Source: unep.org

15 habitat loss solutions you need to know 

What really is habitat loss and why should we care? Habitat loss is the destruction of natural habitats, which can lead to the extinction of plant and animal species. It is one of the leading drivers of biodiversity loss, and it is happening all over the world at an alarming rate.

There are many reasons why we should care about habitat loss. For one, it is happening on a massive scale, and at the current rate of destruction, we could lose up to 50% of all plant and animal species by the end of the century.

This would be a devastating loss not only for the species themselves but for us as well since we rely on biodiversity for our food, water, and medicine.

Habitat loss is also one of the main drivers of climate change. As forests are destroyed and carbon-absorbing plants die, greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere, causing the Earth to warm.

So how do you promote habitat conservation? Here are 15 solutions to prevent habitat loss.

1. Reforestation and supporting reforestation projects.

2. Recycle waste at home.

3. Create compost from organic waste.

4. Cut out the use of single-use plastic.

5. Control invasive species.

6. Donations to sustainable causes.

7. Switch to eco-friendly appliances.

8. The control and regular monitoring of water quality.

9. Reduce the use of fossil fuels.

10. Decrease your energy consumption.

11. Buy sustainable products.

12. Invest in sustainable eco funds.

13. Responsible fishing, always.

14. Get the most out of your own habitat.

15. Cooperation between local communities and the local government.

Source: ourendangeredworld.com

China

From a “wildlife habitat” to an ecological city

Shanghai, connected to the Yangtze River and the sea, is located at the estuary of the Yangtze River. It is an important transit point on the “East Asia-Australasia Flyway” of migratory birds. It is rich in wild animals, especially wild birds. At present, the city monitors and records 150 species of national key protected wild animals, more than 325 species of terrestrial wild animals with important ecological, scientific and social values, and 46 species of local key protected wild animals. There are four nature reserves and22 municipal animal habitats. On June 20, 2023, the third meeting of the Standing Committee of the 16th Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress voted to pass the “Regulations on the Protection of Wild Animals in Shanghai.” A highlight of the legislation is to establish a system of municipal wildlife habitats. As Shanghai wants to become an ecological city, what the “wild animal habitats” will lead to is a new landscape of ecological civilization, where sand gulls gather, fish swim in the shallow bottom, and all species live freely.

Source: paper.xinmin.cn

Shenzhen as a “Biodiversity Charming City” protects biological reproduction through “double iron lines”

Ecological space is the basis for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Shenzhen makes full use of the three major means of nature reserves, ecological protection red lines, and land space planning, in a bid to maximize the protection of ecological space. In terms of the construction of the nature reserve system, Shenzhen has built 27 nature reserves, of which terrestrial nature reserves cover an area of 477 square kilometers, accounting for 24% of the total area. In terms of delimiting the ecological protection red lines, it took the lead in the country to divide nearly 50% of the city area into the basic ecological control line. On this basis, it adheres to the principle of “all duelines should be delimited and all due areas should be retained” by including 24% of the land area and 19% of the sea area within the ecological protection red lines. With the implementation of the “double iron lines” management, the integrity of the ecosystem has been effectively protected.

Shenzhen takes the opportunity of building itself into a model of ecological civilization, continues to promote the construction of ecological civilization, and comprehensively improves the quality of the ecological environment. In terms of biodiversity protection, Shenzhen has carried out unique explorations. Therefore, following the establishment of the world’s first “International Mangrove Center” in Shenzhen, Shenzhen has got another “international ecological business card” - the title of “Biodiversity Charming City.” The city was alsoincluded in the Cities With Nature initiative.

Source: sztqb.sznews.com

●Background

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) initiated by the United Nations

On January 1, 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including 169 targets, of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — adopted by world leaders in September 2015 at an historic UN Summit — officially came into force. Countries will mobilize efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind.