Thistle blossom with a butterfly (Pieris brassicae, cabbage butterfly) on a set-aside field

Protecting biodiversity – ensuring survival

Biological diversity – the diversity of species and ecosystems – is the basis for the survival of humankind and indispensable for economic, social and cultural development. We need intact ecosystems for our food security and health, for safe drinking water and fertile soils, and for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

A Western Lowland Gorilla in Dzanga National Park in the tri-border region of Congo, Cameroon and Central African Republic.

Worldwide, the loss of species and ecosystems has accelerated dramatically in recent decades. Biodiversity loss is now one of the global risks that are expected to pose the biggest danger to human wellbeing and social cohesion. If we are to safeguard the basis for our livelihoods and survival and those of future generations, this trend must be stopped and reversed as quickly as possible.

The greatest biodiversity can be found in the Global South. Of the world's 17 most biodiverse countries, 15 are developing countries or emerging economies. And the impacts of ecosystem degradation, such as hunger and poverty, are also hitting people in developing countries and emerging economies particularly hard.

The expansion of non-sustainable agricultural production methods, too intensive use of natural resources, the spread of invasive species, growing urbanisation, the construction of technical infrastructure, pollution and climate change are all contributing to biodiversity loss and are making the achievement of internationally agreed biodiversity targets more difficult.

German activities

Black lechwe in Bangweulu Wetlands National Park, Zambia

In the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) adopted in 2022, the international community committed itself to ambitious goals for biodiversity conservation. The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is supporting the efforts of its partner countries to protect biodiversity, use it in a sustainable and equitable manner, and restore degraded and destroyed ecosystems. These efforts are being coordinated closely with activities to reduce hunger and poverty and with climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.

In line with the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, the BMZ is thus contributing to a social-ecological transformation towards lifestyles and economies that respect planetary boundaries. Our international activities are also in the interest of Germany's people and economy, because intact ecosystems worldwide are indispensable for many of our global supply chains for food, medication and raw materials, and also for a stable climate.

The BMZ's approach

The protection of ecosystems requires areas in which ecosystems and their numerous services for local people and people worldwide remain intact. That is why one target of the Global Biodiversity Framework is to protect 30 per cent of the earth's land and sea through the establishment of conservation areas. This will only be possible if there is close cooperation with local communities, and only if their human rights and land rights are respected.

Production of organic dry herbs in Bouarada, Tunisia

Biodiversity is a global public good. Among other things, biodiversity provides productive resources and food – which means that it is absolutely vital for our daily lives. Excessive use of ecosystems and ecosystem degradation lead to continuing biodiversity loss. In order to ensure that humankind will continue to be able to benefit from biodiversity, ways must be identified for using it in sustainable and equitable ways.

Gardener in a mangrove tree nursery. The trees are planted as erosion protection in the event of flooding.

Ecosystem degradation has devastating consequences for humankind. One key instrument for halting it is ecosystem restoration. This can uphold or restore ecological functions and contribute significantly towards climate change mitigation and adaption. That is why the international community made 2021 to 2030 the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Biodiversity and health
Implementing the One Health approach Internal link

Human health depends on diverse, thriving ecosystems and their services. And biological diversity is also crucial for preventing and fighting diseases and pandemics.
Biodiversity and climate
Strengthening ecosystems, tackling climate change Internal link

Biodiversity conservation is a fundamental prerequisite for success in climate change mitigation and adaptation. Healthy ecosystems store vast quantities of greenhouse gases and can mitigate the consequences of extreme weather events. They help to ensure that vital ecosystem services such as clean water and fresh air will continue to be available for everyone into the future.
Biodiversity and agriculture
Sustainable agriculture conserves biodiversity Internal link

Hunger still affects many millions of people worldwide. After the number of hungry people had declined for many years, it has been rising again since 2015 as a result of conflict, war and climate change-induced disasters. So it is absolutely vital for the survival of humankind to conserve natural resources in rural areas as a basis for agriculture. These resources include land and water, but also biodiversity.
Biodiversity and ecosystem services
Conserving biodiversity as a life-sustaining resource Internal link

Their biodiversity enables the Earth’s ecosystems to provide services that form the basis of human development and sustainable prosperity: species-rich ecosystems supply vital resources and ensure that we have fertile soils, clean drinking water and clean air.
Biodiversity and oceans
Protecting the oceans and using them sustainably Internal link

Coastal and marine ecosystems play a key role for climate action, disaster prevention, and food security. The German Development Ministry (BMZ) is involved in a broad range of activities for the protection, restoration and sustainable use of coastal and marine ecosystems.
Biodiversity and protected areas
Conserving ecosystems for the benefit of humankind Internal link

Intact ecosystems conserve genetic resources for future generations and play a key role for responding to climate change. Protected areas are refuges for ecosystems and biodiversity. The German Development Ministry (BMZ) therefore supports its partners' efforts to manage protected areas equitably, with the participation of local communities.

Natural heritage fund
Legacy Landscapes Fund Internal link

The Legacy Landscapes Fund combines public and private finance to provide long-term protection for outstanding natural landscapes.
Conserving marine biodiversity
Blue Action Fund Internal link

The aim of the Blue Action Fund is to improve protection of the world's oceans and coasts and thereby stem the dramatic loss of marine biodiversity. Local development is to be fostered and sustainable lifestyles are to be promoted.
African-German Partners for Ocean Knowledge
MeerWissen Internal link

The MeerWissen initiative strengthens partnerships between marine research institutions in Africa and Germany. It builds on the regional expertise of African partner countries and Germany’s internationally leading role in marine research.
Partnership for the implementation of national biodiversity strategies
NBSAP Accelerator Partnership Internal link

The BMZ-supported NBSAP Accelerator Partnership supports developing countries and emerging economies in doing their part to help conserve global biodiversity.

BMZ publications

Cover: Strategy Conserving nature and natural resources, protecting life on Earth

PDF | 04/2024 | 486 KB, 30 Pages | Accessible

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Germany’s Cooperation with Developing Countries and Emerging Economies in Support of the Convention on Biological Diversity for Sustainable Development