8 <strong>G7</strong> ELMAU PROGRESS REPORT2. The global status of biodiversity,the drivers of biodiversity loss andimpacts on human well-beingKey messages• <strong>Biodiversity</strong> – the variety of genes, species and ecosystems – underpins renewable natural capital and thedelivery of nature’s services. It enables a host of <strong>vital</strong> services, including clean water, flood protection, croppollination, air quality and resilience to drought as well as providing resources to support economic growth.• Ecosystems and the goods and services they provide <strong>for</strong>m the <strong>foundation</strong> on which every society andeconomy is built, which is crucial not only <strong>for</strong> securing economic growth but <strong>for</strong> supporting livelihoods,including <strong>for</strong> the poorest.• Although it is inherently difficult to assess the global status of biodiversity, most indicators used to measurebiodiversity show negative trends: <strong>Biodiversity</strong> continues to be lost at an alarming rate.• A major reason <strong>for</strong> this continued loss is the still increasing pressure from population and economic growth,preferences regarding consumption, and decisions that enhance pressure on biodiversity through climatechange, land-use change, overexploitation, introduction of alien species and pollution.• Conserving biodiversity and its services requires activities aimed at direct protection but also measuresthat address the underlying drivers of biodiversity loss. Conservation is not in conflict with, but rather isthe cornerstone of, careful management of a nation’s natural resources.Ecosystems and the goods and services they provide <strong>for</strong>m the<strong>foundation</strong> on which every society and economy is built.<strong>Biodiversity</strong> underpins renewable natural resources andthe delivery of nature’s services. Although increasinglyrecognized as the basis <strong>for</strong> livelihoods as well as economic<strong>development</strong>, biodiversity and the services it provides tohuman societies continue to be depleted. The underlyingdrivers <strong>for</strong> biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation are<strong>for</strong>emost associated with human use of natural resourcesand economic <strong>development</strong>, which can lead to overexploitation;pollution; change, conversion and destruction ofecosystems; and increasingly with changes due to climatechange and introduced species. Acting on this continuedloss has long been recognized as a priority in internationalenvironmental policy (e.g., SCBD 1992), including by the<strong>G7</strong> (see Chapter 1). The report uses the framework of theConvention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to outline thesecomplex interrelationships and to provide the basis <strong>for</strong>the presentation of the actions taken by the <strong>G7</strong>.2.1 The importance of biodiversity <strong>for</strong> humanwell-being and poverty reductionAccording to the CBD, biological diversity – or “biodiversity”– is the “variability among living organisms from all sourcesincluding, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquaticecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they arepart: This includes genetic diversity and diversity withinspecies, between species and of ecosystems”(SCBD 1992). 1This broad definition makes clear that its conservation anduse affect nearly every part and level of society, and anysector of decision-making and economy. For instance,genetic diversity of plants and animals in agriculture is key<strong>for</strong> <strong>sustainable</strong> and resilient food production (e.g., FAO2010b).<strong>Biodiversity</strong> underpins ecosystem services. The MillenniumEcosystem Assessment distinguishes four types of ecosystemservices (MA 2005). First, provisioning services in which
<strong>G7</strong> ELMAU PROGRESS REPORT9biodiversity and ecosystems provide society with products,<strong>for</strong> example, wood and other biomass <strong>for</strong> energy production(e.g., Kontoleon et al. 2008). Second, services “regulating”the natural environment by slowing the runoff ofrainwater and providing stable flows during dry seasons.Third, many ecosystems have a cultural value, in the sensethat people enjoy ecosystems, which provide meaningto life as well as scenery <strong>for</strong> traditional ceremonies andcelebrations. Fourth, supporting services, referring to theunderlying ecosystem interactions and processes that supportbiodiversity and other ecosystem services, <strong>for</strong> examplethrough the recycling of nutrients. Ecosystem servicesare of direct importance to human well-being by providingthe materials and safe surroundings <strong>for</strong> a healthy life inwhich individuals have the freedom to make their ownchoices (see Figure 2.1).The Global <strong>Biodiversity</strong> Outlook reports (SCBD 2001, 2006,2010, 2014) acknowledge how biodiversity loss impacts onecosystem functions, making ecosystems more vulnerableto shocks and disturbances, less resilient and less capableof providing ecosystem services <strong>for</strong> human well-being(see Figure 2.1).<strong>Biodiversity</strong> and ecosystem services are indeed crucial <strong>for</strong>most aspects of today’s economy, although often not visible,as outlined by the G8+5-initiated study on The Economicsof Ecosystem and <strong>Biodiversity</strong> (TEEB) (see Section 4.3).Figure 2.1 <strong>Biodiversity</strong>, ecosystem functioning, ecosystem services and drivers of changeINDIRECT DRIVERS OF CHANGEDemographic Science and technologyEconomic Cultural and religiousSociopoliticalHUMAN WELL-BEINGBasic Material <strong>for</strong> good lifeHealthSecurityGood social relationsFreedom of choice and actionDIRECT DRIVERS OF CHANGEClimate ChangeNutrient loadingLand use changeSpecies introductionOverexploitationBIODIVERSITYNumberCompositionRelative abundance InteractionsECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONSECOSYSTEM GOODS AND SERVICESGOODS (provisioning services)Food, fiber and fuelGenetic resourcesBiochemicalsFresh waterREGULATING SERVICESInvasion resistanceHerbivoryPollinationSeed dispersalClimate regulationPest regulationDisease regulationNatural hazard protectionErosion regulationWater purificationCULTURAL SERVICESSpiritual and religious valuesKnowledge systemEducation and inspirationRecreation and aesthetic valuesSUPPORTING SERVICESPrimary productionProvision of habitatNutrient cyclingSoil <strong>for</strong>mation and retentionProduction of atmospheric oxygenWater cyclingSource: SCBD (2006)
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