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Our News
Catastrophic 73% decline in the average size of wildlife populations in just 50 years reveals a ‘system in peril’ - WWF’s Living Planet Report
- Steepest declines in monitored wildlife populations recorded in Latin America and the Caribbean (95%), Africa (76%) and Asia–Pacific (60%)
- Report reveals a ‘system in peril’ as the world approaches dangerous, irreversible tipping points driven by nature loss and climate change
- WWF: What happens over the next five years will be crucial for the future of life on Earth but we have the power − and opportunity − to change the trajectory
The Living Planet Index, provided by ZSL (Zoological Society of London), monitors data and trends from nearly 35,000 populations of 5,495 species within the timeframe of 1970-2020. Notably, freshwater populations show the most substantial decline at 85%, followed by terrestrial at 69% and then marine at 56%. At a regional level, the fastest declines have been seen in Latin America and the Caribbean – a concerning 95% decline – followed by Africa (76%) and the Asia–Pacific (60%). Habitat loss and degradation, primarily driven by the food system, pose the greatest threat to wildlife populations globally, followed by overexploitation, invasive species and disease. Specific regions face additional challenges, such as climate change impacting wildlife populations in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a staggering 95% average decline.
Dr. Bosco Chan, Director of Conservation at WWF-Hong Kong, commented, "The precipitous decline in wildlife populations threatens ecosystem resilience and the benefits nature provides us—from food production to climate stability. The interlinked crises of nature loss and climate change are pushing wildlife and ecosystems beyond their limits, with dangerous global tipping points threatening to damage Earth’s life-support systems and destabilize societies. Hong Kong's diverse habitats and wildlife are a precious heritage we must protect. By embracing Nature-based Solutions (NbS), we can address environmental, social, and economic challenges while creating sustainable and resilient outcomes. This approach demonstrates that nature conservation is crucial for human well-being and sustainable growth."
Countries have already agreed on ambitious global goals to halt and reverse nature loss (the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework), cap global temperature rise to 1.5ºC (the Paris Agreement), and eradicate poverty (the UN Sustainable Development Goals). But the Living Planet Report says national commitments and action on the ground fall far short of what’s required to meet targets for 2030 and avoid dangerous tipping points.
The report highlights that the only way to make progress on the global goals is by addressing the drivers of climate change and nature loss by transforming our energy, food and finance systems. At the same time, we must scale-up effective and inclusive conservation action, taking account of the rights, needs and values of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
The international biodiversity (COP16) and climate (COP29) summits taking place this year are an opportunity for countries to rise to the scale of the challenge. WWF is calling for countries to produce and implement more ambitious national nature and climate plans (NBSAPs and NDCs) that include measures to reduce global overconsumption, halt and reverse both domestic and imported biodiversity loss and cut emissions. WWF-Hong Kong urges the Hong Kong Government to proactively embrace these global targets, by protecting invaluable wetlands and marine waters, unlocking greater public and private funding to allow action at scale and to better align national and local climate, nature and sustainable development policies and actions. Both government and businesses should act to rapidly eliminate activities with negative impacts on biodiversity and climate, and redirect finance away from harmful practices and towards activities that will deliver on the global goals.
To make Hong Kong a truly liveable and sustainable city, WWF-Hong Kong calls for the Hong Kong Government to take several key actions. These include developing a holistic wetland conservation plan for Hong Kong, quantifying ecosystem services of our marine waters to develop an integrated ocean management plan, strengthening measures against local wildlife crimes, accelerating carbon emission control measures, and embracing NbS in urban planning.
Nicole Wong, CEO of WWF-Hong Kong added: “Although we have global agreements and solutions to set nature on the path to recovery by 2030, but so far there’s been little progress on delivery and a lack of urgency. The decisions made and action taken over the next five years will be crucial for the future of life on Earth. The opportunity to restore our living planet lies in decisive actions taken now. We should systematically prioritize and implement NbS to cope with societal challenges such as climate change and disaster risks, enhance human wellbeing and optimize biodiversity benefits at the same time.”
