Australia named as one of the world’s worst performers on biodiversity, says WWF
- Report examines whether climate commitments from 100 countries under the Paris agreement also offer benefits for nature
- Along with the United States and Canada, Australia was rated a zero because none of its commitments involved biodiversity measures
Australia has been named as one of the worst performers among a group of 100 nations due to the absence of biodiversity measures in our climate change commitments, according to a new report by WWF.
The report, published this week during the conference of parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Egypt, examines whether climate commitments from countries under the Paris agreement also offer benefits for nature and biodiversity.
While countries aren’t required to include biodiversity measures in their nationally determined contributions (NDCs), some activities, such as reducing deforestation and preserving habitat, have dual benefits for the climate and nature.
WWF is calling for more integration between the two.
“Given that resources are finite and that action in one area can have a knock-on effect in another, the best way forward is to take integrated action on climate, development and nature,” the report states.