Be part of the plan International Day for Biological Diversity 2024

Knuckles – Sri Lanka

Mangrove Blue Flycatcher – Sri Lanka

Nature is life. Nature is interconnected, intertwined and indivisible with human life, our societies and economies. Yet, the world over, land, seas, air, freshwater and wildlife are being destroyed at an alarming rate. 

On average, wildlife populations have declined almost 70 percent since 1970. Wild mammals have declined as a share of the global mammal biomass to just 4 percent as at 2015. 

Around 60 percent of global GDP is at least moderately dependent on natural resources, yet resource extraction and processing cause over 90 percent of global biodiversity loss.  The world is currently witnessing the dual crisis of catastrophic nature loss and climate change—a massive transgression on two key planetary boundaries. 
Sri Lanka is a perfect example of a paradise at the nexus of climate change and biodiversity loss. Sri Lanka is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, ranking within the top 10 countries, consecutively over the recent years.   On average, Sri Lanka experiences US $ 313 million in annual disaster losses, due to acute climate-vulnerability.

Sri Lanka’s unique biological diversity is facing general decline, as well. Twenty-seven percent of 240 identified species of birds are threatened, along with 66 percent of amphibian species, 56 percent of mammals, 49 percent of freshwater fish species and 59 percent of reptiles.

In particular, one of Sri Lanka’s well-known and flagship species, the elephant, has been affected by a population decline. As for flowering plants, 1,385 species of the 3,154 identified species are classified as threatened, the high majority of which (594) are endemic to Sri Lanka. From 2001 to 2023, Sri Lanka lost 222 kha of tree cover, equivalent to a 5.6 percent decrease in tree cover since 2000.  

The world over, resources have been gradually shrinking and Sri Lanka is no stranger to this, especially, given the cascading impacts of the economic crisis. A Finance Needs Assessment conducted in 2018 by the Biodiversity Financing Initiative (BIOFIN) found that Sri Lanka would need approximately Rs.31 billion (US $ 190 million) within 2018-2024 period with the caveat that the government will maintain its current level of investments for the period. 
The Climate Prosperity Plan submitted to the UNFCCC as the country’s long-term low GHG emission strategy requires US $ 26 billion, US $ 6.5 billion per year, if we are to successfully mitigate and adapt to climate change—a startling reckoning for the country on both fronts. 

It is in this context that we mark 2024’s International Day for Biological Diversity. This year, the day serves as a call to action: ‘Be Part of the Plan’. 

Given the current state of affairs, it is evident that there is an imminent need to forward catalytic actions towards halting and reversing biodiversity loss and to accelerate the mobilisation of resources towards countries, those like Sri Lanka, to reach their biodiversity targets and commitments. 

There is a need for more bold, more imaginative and more ambitious solutions. For instance, the BIOFIN initiative—a UNDP-managed global collaborative partnership—works towards improving biodiversity outcomes using finance and economics to bridge the financing gap by mobilising innovative financing for investments in biodiversity. 

The National Sustainable Tourism Certification Scheme, one of BIOFIN’s 16 financial solutions for Sri Lanka, has been the catalyser in mobilising more than Rs.500 million from various stakeholders for investments in sustainable tourism, —a clear example of innovation paying it forward.

With renewed ambition, UNDP’s Nature Pledge commits to provide accelerated and upscaled support to over 140 countries to reach their ambitious targets in the historic Global Biodiversity Framework. Another example was BIOFIN’s support to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to initiate the Sustainable Finance Roadmap, which paved the way to promoting sustainable financing among commercial banks in the country.

All these innovative steps in the right direction will lead to sustainable management of services provided by ecosystems and biodiversity, which will ultimately lead to conserve and promote human well-being, enhance ecosystem services and create sustainable livelihoods for Sri Lanka’s people. 

Each one of us has a role to play in conserving biodiversity, whether by adopting sustainable practices in our daily lives, supporting conservation initiatives or advocating for policies that prioritise nature conservation. By working together, we can ensure a sustainable future where biodiversity thrives, enriching and sustaining life for generations to come—Be Part of the Plan!

Sri Lanka 

• Among top 10 climate-vulnerable countries in the world 
• Experiences US $ 313mn in annual disaster losses
• 27% of 240 identified species of birds threatened
• 66% of amphibian species threatened
• 56% of mammals threatened
• 49% of freshwater fish species threatened 
• 59% of reptiles threatened
• Elephants affected by a population decline
• Out of 1,385 species of flowering plants, 3,154 classified as threatened – high majority of which (594) endemic to Sri Lanka
• 2001-2023, Sri Lanka lost 222 kha of tree cover