A new flagship report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) urges countries to rethink their agricultural and conservation policies to protect biodiversity while ensuring food security. Titled “Agriculture and Conservation,” the report emphasizes that sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation can go hand in hand, benefiting both the planet and humanity.
IUCN Director General, Dr. Grethel Aguilar, highlights that agriculture, covering 37% of the world’s land, significantly affects biodiversity, with 34% of species on the IUCN Red List threatened by agricultural activities. However, sustainable practices can make agriculture resilient and contribute to a healthier planet. “Healthy nature means better agriculture, and sustainable agricultural practices mean a more resilient planet,” Aguilar noted.
The report presents both challenges and opportunities for countries. With innovative land use, better management, and incentive programs like “Payments for Ecosystem Services,” countries can balance food production with biodiversity conservation. The findings show that shifting policies could potentially add USD 150 billion annually to the global economy while avoiding losses of USD 100 billion per year.
The report draws on 15 case studies from diverse countries, including Vietnam, Guatemala, and Ethiopia, and incorporates insights from over 30 global experts. It emphasizes that agricultural reform will require managing trade-offs and broader food policy changes to achieve global biodiversity and conservation goals.
As part of this initiative, IUCN has established a Food and Agricultural Systems team at its headquarters in Switzerland to engage key stakeholders and drive global policy changes.
