Swedish Development Cooperation Agency

The Biodiversity Challenge

Biodiversity is declining at unprecedented rates globally, with serious consequences for human wellbeing. According to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), around 1 million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction, more than ever before in human history.

The drivers of biodiversity loss are varied and interconnected:

• Changes in land and sea use
• Direct exploitation of organisms
• Climate change
• Pollution
• Invasive alien species

This unprecedented loss of biodiversity undermines nature's ability to provide essential services, including food security, clean water, disease regulation, and climate regulation. The poorest communities are often most affected by biodiversity loss, as they rely directly on natural resources for their livelihoods.

Sida's Strategic Approach

Sida's biodiversity work is guided by Sweden's Strategy for Sustainable Development and follows the Convention on Biological Diversity. Our strategic approach emphasizes:

Integrating Biodiversity in All Sectors

We promote the mainstreaming of biodiversity considerations across all development sectors, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, infrastructure, and urban planning. This ensures that development activities support rather than undermine biodiversity conservation.

Ecosystem-based Adaptation

Sida supports ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation, which harness the natural capacity of ecosystems to buffer communities against climate impacts such as floods, droughts, and storms. Healthy ecosystems provide cost-effective solutions to climate challenges.

Rights-based Approach

Our work respects and promotes the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, who are often the most effective stewards of biodiversity. We support their participation in decision-making processes and recognize their traditional knowledge systems.

Poverty-Environment Linkages

We explicitly address the connections between environmental degradation and poverty, ensuring that our interventions benefit both people and the planet. Sustainable management of natural resources is essential for long-term poverty reduction.

Key Initiatives and Programs

Strategic Partnerships

Sida recognizes that effective biodiversity conservation requires collaboration with a wide range of partners. We work with:

• Multilateral organizations including the Global Environment Facility, World Bank, and UN Environment Programme
• International conservation NGOs such as WWF, Conservation International, and Fauna & Flora International
• Research institutions and universities to generate and apply knowledge
• Private sector partners to promote sustainable business practices
• Government agencies in partner countries to strengthen institutional capacity
• Indigenous peoples' organizations and local community groups

Impact and Results

Sida's biodiversity and ecosystem work has achieved significant results across multiple regions:

Africa

In Eastern Africa, Sida's support has contributed to improved management of transboundary ecosystems, including the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem and the Congo Basin. Our programs have helped reduce poaching, restore degraded lands, and strengthen community-based natural resource management. Over 2 million hectares of forest have been conserved or restored in the Congo Basin with Swedish support.

Asia

In Southeast Asia, Sida has supported innovative approaches to coastal ecosystem management and sustainable fisheries. Our work in the Mekong region has integrated biodiversity considerations into water resource management and infrastructure development planning. We've helped establish community-managed forest areas covering over 500,000 hectares in the region.

Latin America

In Latin America, Sida works to protect critical ecosystems including the Amazon rainforest, Andean Highlands, and Mesoamerican coral reefs. We support indigenous-led conservation initiatives and promote sustainable production systems that reduce pressure on biodiversity. Our programs have contributed to the recognition of indigenous rights to over 8 million hectares of territory.

Global Impact

Through our support to multilateral organizations and global initiatives, Sweden contributes to biodiversity conservation impacts beyond our bilateral programs. This includes funding for protected areas in over 80 countries, support for global species conservation efforts, and contributions to international environmental agreements.

Looking Forward

The coming decade will be critical for biodiversity conservation. Sida is committed to scaling up our support and ensuring that biodiversity considerations are integrated across all development cooperation sectors.

We will continue to advocate for ambitious global biodiversity targets and support their implementation at national and local levels. Our work will emphasize nature-based solutions to climate challenges, sustainable management of natural resources, and equitable approaches that benefit local communities.

Sweden's support for biodiversity and ecosystems represents our commitment to a sustainable future for all. Working together with partners around the world, we can protect and restore the natural systems on which we all depend.