Biodiversity loss poses a major threat to the global economy and human well-being. Here is a three-part summary of figures and sources.
1. Current and future costs of biodiversity loss (business-as-usual scenario)
- Global economic cost: The degradation of natural ecosystems costs the global economy an estimated $5 trillion per year. This loss affects the availability of natural resources, increases the cost of raw materials and disrupts supply chains.
- Impact on global GDP: The collapse of certain ecosystem services, such as pollination and fishing, could reduce global GDP by £2.7 trillion per year by 2030.
- Economic dependence on nature: Approximately £44 trillion of economic value generated, or more than half of global GDP, depends moderately or heavily on nature and ecosystem services.
- Cost of invasive alien species: The global economic cost of invasive alien species exceeded £30 billion per year in 2019, quadrupling every decade since 1970.
2. Possible solutions, associated costs and expected benefits
a) Protecting and restoring ecosystems
- 30×30 target: Protecting 30% of land and oceans by 2030 is a central objective of the Kunming-Montreal Agreement. Currently, only 8.35% of the seas and 17.5% of the land are protected.
- Investments required: Implementing the 30×30 target would require an estimated £140 billion per year in investments. However, only £18 million has been contributed so far.
b) Reforming harmful subsidies
- Harmful subsidies: Between €34 and €48 billion per year in European subsidies support activities that have a negative impact on biodiversity, particularly intensive agriculture.
- Redirecting funding: Redirecting just 7.7% of ‘negative’ financial flows could close the funding gap for nature-based solutions.
c) Agroecological transition
- Transforming food systems: WWF recommends a transition to agroecology, a reduction in meat consumption and better distribution of food to preserve biodiversity.
d) Ecological corridors
- Habitat connectivity: The creation of natural corridors promotes wildlife movement, pollen and seed dispersal, and genetic exchange between populations, thereby strengthening ecosystem resilience.
3. Comparative summary: inaction vs. action
| Inaction (scénario actuel) | Action climatique ambitieuse | |
| Annual economic cost | $5 trillion | Investissements de Investments of $200 billion/year |
| Impact on global GDP | $2.7 trillion/year reduction by 2030 | Sustained economic growth thanks to ecosystem service |
| Economic dependence | $44 trillion depends on nature | Preservation of natural functioning (without the need for human intervention or repair) and essential ecosystem services |
| Harmful subsidies | €34–48 billion per year | Reorientation towards biodiversity-friendly activities |
| Expected benefits | Increasing economic and ecological losses | Creation of 395 million jobs and $10.1 trillion in new business opportunities per year by 2030 |
Biodiversity loss incurs considerable economic costs and threatens the stability of the ecosystems on which humanity depends. Ambitious actions, such as habitat protection, subsidy reform and agroecological transition, are essential to reverse this trend. These measures require significant investment, but the long-term economic and ecological benefits far outweigh the initial costs.
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