The Global Biodiversity Outlook 5 (GBO-5), launched by the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), warns, ‘humanity is at a crossroads’. Released on 15 September, the report comes as the COVID-19 pandemic challenges people to rethink their relationship with nature, and to consider the profound consequences to their own wellbeing and survival that can result from continued biodiversity loss and the degradation of ecosystems.
“This flagship report underlines that ‘humanity stands at a crossroads with regard to the legacy we wish to leave to future generations,’” said CBD Executive Secretary, Elizabeth Maruma Mrema.
The report is a final report card on progress against the 20 global biodiversity targets agreed in 2010 with a 2020 deadline, and offers lessons learned and best practices for getting on track. While the national reports to the CBD offer evidence that the types of transitions needed moving forward are beginning, Ms. Mrema points out that they need to be significantly scaled up, moving from being project driven to more systematic and broadened.
