IUCN Report Highlights Need for Policy Overhaul to Balance Agriculture and Biodiversity

A new flagship report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) calls for better-designed and more targeted policies to benefit both biodiversity and agriculture, urging countries worldwide to adopt and implement these measures. The report, which examines the complex relationship between agriculture and conservation, offers a comprehensive approach to feeding the global population while preserving critical natural habitats and species.

The report, titled Agriculture and Conservation, reveals that 34% of species assessed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ face direct threats from agriculture. This is primarily due to the conversion of natural habitats into croplands, pasturelands, and plantations. Moreover, species are also impacted by indirect agricultural activities, including overuse of freshwater resources, introduction of invasive species, pollution from soil erosion and agrochemicals, and climate change. However, 17% of species rely on agroecosystems as their habitat, showing the dual role agriculture can play in both threatening and supporting biodiversity.

The report also finds a positive correlation between the level of agricultural support provided by countries and the number of species endangered by agricultural practices.

Despite these challenges, the flagship report argues that aligning agriculture and conservation does not necessarily conflict with food production or economic goals. Although trade-offs exist, the report emphasizes that improved land use and management can enhance biodiversity, combat climate change, and support economic development. Achieving these changes requires restructuring incentives for landowners and stakeholders, using tools like payments for ecosystem services, reforms in laws and regulations, and other institutional changes. While the process is not without obstacles, the report highlights the potential for significant benefits. Research cited in the report suggests that policies promoting biodiversity and ecosystem services could boost global GDP by USD 150 billion annually, whereas continuing with current practices could result in an annual economic loss of over USD 100 billion.

The report, co-edited by IUCN Chief Economist Juha Siikamäki and Chief Scientist Thomas Brooks, with input from 32 experts, emphasizes that sustainable agriculture depends on creating synergies with nature. Protecting and restoring agricultural lands in a way that enhances natural capital while maintaining food security and supporting local economies and climate goals is crucial. The transition to sustainable agriculture, the report states, will require managing trade-offs and reforming food policies, such as reducing food waste and promoting healthier, more sustainable diets, which could significantly advance conservation efforts.

To illustrate these points, the report includes 15 case studies from countries like Vietnam, Guatemala, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and the Republic of Korea. These case studies, which draw from IUCN’s global network of governments, non-governmental organizations, Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations, and conservation experts, are a key feature of the report and showcase real-world applications of its recommendations.

The release of the report coincides with IUCN’s establishment of a dedicated Food and Agricultural Systems team at its headquarters in Gland, Switzerland. This initiative builds on previous IUCN resolutions related to agriculture and food systems and follows a series of earlier reports, including Common Ground and Approaches to Sustainable Agriculture. A related report on the environmental, economic, and social impacts of vegetable oil production, trade, and consumption was also published in May 2024.

This new flagship report is the second in IUCN’s “Living Nature in a Globalised World” series, which addresses critical global challenges and explores the role of nature in these contexts. The first report, released in 2021, focused on the intersection of conflict and conservation. The series combines new data analysis, modeling, and synthesis of research, along with case studies from around the world, to provide insights into the most pressing environmental issues of today.

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