Biodiversity and the Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 1 – No Poverty

Ecosystem services such as pollination, water purification and soil formation are vital for key economic sectors like agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and tourism. For poor rural communities, ecosystem services and non-marketed natural goods provide 50% to 90% of their livelihoods. Protecting biodiversity helps sustain these resources, reducing poverty and preventing vulnerable populations from falling deeper into it.

SDG 2 – Zero Hunger

Biodiversity plays a critical role in ensuring food security and improved nutrition. It supports essential ecosystem services such as soil fertility, water quality, and pollination, all of which are fundamental to sustainable agricultural production. Farmland biodiversity enables the development of crops and livestock that are more resilient to climate change, pests, and diseases. That way, biodiversity strengthens the resilience of food systems and ensures long-term agricultural productivity.

SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being

Biodiversity supports medicine, with many modern drugs and traditional remedies derived from plants and animals. In agriculture, diverse ecosystems reduce the need for harmful pesticides and chemicals, leading to healthier environments, improved air, water, and soil quality, and reduced exposure to pollution. Biodiversity also regulates water flow and quality, helping to prevent waterborne diseases. 

SDG 4 – Quality Education

Educating people about biodiversity and ecosystems is vital for fostering sustainable development and lifestyles. Indigenous and traditional knowledge offer valuable insights for conserving biodiversity, and these should be included in education programs, especially those related to agriculture.

SDG 5 – Gender Equality

In many communities, especially rural and indigenous ones, women play a central role in managing biodiversity through farming, seed saving, gathering wild plants, and using traditional knowledge. Ensuring women’s equal access to land, resources, and decision-making in biodiversity conservation supports gender equality and strengthens sustainable ecosystem management.

SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation

Healthy ecosystems are vital for reliable water supplies, maintaining water quality, and safeguarding against natural hazards. For example, wetlands store surface and groundwater, sustain river flows during dry periods, and reduce flooding risks in rainy seasons. Forests and grasslands protect watersheds, preventing erosion and preserving water sources.  

SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy

Nearly 3 billion people use natural materials like wood, charcoal, coal, and animal waste for cooking and heating. Bio-energy, produced from renewable biomass such as forestry byproducts and agricultural residues, and natural sources like rivers (hydropower), offers a cleaner and more affordable way to meet energy needs. Protecting biodiversity helps ensure these resources remain available and supports cleaner energy for everyone.

SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth

Ecosystem services are the foundation of key economic sectors like agriculture, forestry, fisheries, tourism, and pharmaceuticals. These industries provide jobs and income for millions of people worldwide. When we conserve and restore biodiversity, ecosystems function more effectively, leading to higher productivity, more efficient use of resources, and long-term economic stability. In this way, healthy ecosystems support decent work and inclusive, sustainable economic growth.

SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Biodiversity contributes to modern infrastructure by offering natural, cost-effective alternatives to traditional built systems. Ecosystems such as mangrove and floodplain forests act as natural barriers, reducing the impact of coastal flooding and erosion threats that are increasing with climate change. In cities, green spaces like parks, trees, and wetlands help manage stormwater, reduce runoff, and improve resilience to extreme weather. These nature-based solutions can be more adaptable, durable, and affordable than conventional infrastructure.

SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities

Biodiversity is essential to the well-being and livelihoods of many marginalised and vulnerable groups, including indigenous people and local communities. These groups often rely directly on biodiversity for food, medicine, income, and cultural practices, and are also key custodians of biodiversity and traditional knowledge. Recognising their roles and ensuring fair, inclusive access to natural resources helps reduce social and economic inequalities.

SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities

Integrating biodiversity into urban development can make cities more sustainable, resilient, and healthy places to live. For example, strategically planted trees can lower urban temperatures, improve air quality, and reduce energy use for heating and cooling. Protecting biologically rich heritage sites in and around cities also helps protect both cultural identity and ecological value.

SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production

All goods and services rely on natural resources for their production, and this process directly affects biodiversity. When consumption and production are not sustainable, they degrade ecosystems and reduce nature’s ability to continue providing essential services. Shifting to more resource-efficient and less polluting production methods protects biodiversity and improves quality of life. 

SDG 13 – Climate Action

Biodiversity is essential for mitigating and adapting to climate change. Diverse ecosystems, such as forests, oceans, and peatlands, serve as natural carbon sinks, absorbing and storing large amounts of greenhouse gases. In addition diverse agricultural systems are better equipped to adapt to changing weather conditions. However, climate change is also a major driver of biodiversity loss, creating a cycle of growing vulnerability.

SDG 14 – Life Below Water

Biodiversity supports all fishing and aquaculture activities, as well as the harvesting of species used for food and medicine. Since aquaculture currently relies on a limited number of species, wild fish populations remain crucial for maintaining aquaculture stocks. Protecting marine biodiversity through conservation efforts, such as marine protected areas, and sustainable management ensures that oceans and seas continue to provide resources for current and future generations.

SDG 15 – Life on Land

In Europe, farmland is the dominant land use, and the way it’s managed plays a critical role in conserving biodiversity. Farmers have a powerful opportunity to help halt biodiversity loss through Biodiversity-Friendly Farming (BFF) practices that keep the land productive and support the natural balance we all depend on. On the other hand, forests cover nearly a third of the Earth’s land and provide homes to more than half of all land plants and animals, making them vital for biodiversity. Yet, forest loss threatens these essential habitats, so increasing protected areas and restoring damaged lands is key to bringing back biodiversity and strengthening ecosystem health.

SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Wildlife trafficking, illegal fishing, and illegal logging damage nature, help criminal groups grow stronger, and put global security at risk. Conflicts over natural resources and environmental damage often cause social unrest and violence, which tend to affect vulnerable communities the most. To create peaceful and fair societies, it’s important to have strong laws, treat everyone fairly, and involve communities in managing nature and resources. When these ideas are put into practice, countries can reduce inequality, protect the environment, and build trustworthy institutions that support sustainable development.

SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

Protecting and restoring ecosystems can only succeed when farmers, advisors, researchers, policymakers, and civil society work together, share knowledge, and pool resources. International cooperation plays a vital role in funding conservation efforts, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, and supporting biodiversity-friendly policies worldwide. 

Our project FarmBioNet, a three-year Horizon Europe initiative involving 19 partners from 13 countries. It brings together farmers, foresters, researchers, advisors, NGOs, and other key stakeholders within Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS). FarmBioNet establishes Farming and Biodiversity National Networks (FaB NNs) to serve as hubs for sharing knowledge and best practices. By drawing on real-world biodiversity-friendly case studies, the project promotes the exchange of both traditional and scientific strategies to support sustainable agriculture.

.