Conservation majors double biodiversity data funding

From the newsletter

The Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) Alliance, a coalition of four major global conservation organisations, has doubled its investment in biodiversity data from $1.2 million to $2.5 million. The announcement marks the highest annual funding for conservation data recorded by the alliance to date.

• The additional investment will be directed towards updating and maintaining three key global biodiversity databases: The World Database on Protected Areas, the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species and the World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas.

• Africa’s unique ecosystems and threatened species rely on credible data for protection. With this increased investment, IBAT will support African governments, researchers and NGOs in policy planning, impact assessments and global biodiversity reporting.

More details

• The Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) Alliance comprises the International Union for Conservation of Nature, BirdLife International, Conservation International and the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre. BirdLife International reports that increased funding will facilitate the regular updating of species assessments, improve existing data systems and incorporate new species groups into the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. The Red List is considered a leading global reference on extinction risk.

• The alliance noted that the expanded investment reflects a rise in demand for science-based biodiversity data by companies and financial institutions. By the end of 2024, more than 200 private sector entities had accessed IBAT data to support sustainability assessments and decision-making processes. IBAT data is used for risk screening, target setting and tracking progress against international biodiversity targets such as those in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

• Africa’s biodiversity spans iconic landscapes like the Serengeti-Mara, Cape Floristic Region and Congo Basin. Madagascar is a leader in plant endemism, while the Eastern Arc Mountains and West African forests are home to unique wildlife. Coastal coral reefs and deserts like the Karoo further contribute to the continent's rich and globally significant ecosystems, which are inhabited by hundreds of endemic species and are vital to global conservation priorities.

• The IBAT tool is essential for collecting and documenting data that supports efforts to assess how business operations impact biodiversity. It aids organisations in aligning with global regulatory and disclosure requirements and plays a crucial role in guiding on-the-ground conservation initiatives by identifying key biodiversity areas and threatened species.

• Reliable data is necessary for African governments to develop and implement effective conservation policies. This data is vital for understanding biodiversity status, identifying threats and monitoring the effectiveness of conservation efforts. Funding the IBAT tool ensures that the Red List remains an indispensable resource for governments, scientists and businesses. The investment will enhance the quality and accessibility of conservation data, supporting global biodiversity targets and interventions.

Our take

• Much of the biodiversity data comes from the Global South, yet is maintained and controlled by institutions in the Global North. This imbalance risks sidelining local expertise.

• IBAT funding must also support African universities, local research groups and civil society in data collection, interpretation and leadership.

• Only when African institutions are core data stewards can biodiversity protection become both just and effective.