WWF’s Living Planet Report reveals two-thirds decline in wildlife populations on average since 1970

An average 24 percent decline in Europe and Central Asia

LONDON -- Global populations* of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish have suffered an average 68 per cent decline in less than half a century, according to WWF’s Living Planet Report 2020, released today. This is due in large part to the very same environmental destruction which is contributing to the emergence of zoonotic diseases such as Covid-19.

The Living Planet Report 2020 presents a comprehensive overview of the state of our natural world through the Living Planet Index (LPI), which tracks trends in global wildlife abundance, and contributions from more than 125 experts from around the world. The LPI, provided by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), shows that factors believed to increase the planet’s vulnerability to pandemics - including land-use change and the use and trade of wildlife - were also some of the drivers behind the 68 percent average decline in global vertebrate species populations between 1970 and 2016.

In Europe and Central Asia, there has been an average 24 percent decline during the same time span.

“These findings are devastating, and a stark reminder that a healthy planet is a precondition for a healthy human society, and that the European Green Deal is as relevant as ever. Urgent action is needed to halt and reverse the loss of nature and tackle climate change, both within the EU and globally,” said Ester Asin, Director of WWF’s European Policy Office.

The Living Planet Report shows that the main cause of the dramatic decline in species populations on land observed in the LPI is habitat loss and degradation, including deforestation, driven by how we as humanity produce food.

The EU is the world’s second-largest market for forest-risk commodities, such as soy and beef, after China. While the EU imports less soy than China, studies show its soy imports carry a greater risk of being linked to deforestation.

Freshwater species most threatened on the planet

The LPI shows that wildlife populations found in freshwater habitats have suffered a decline of 84 per cent - the starkest average population decline in any biome. These findings follow the bleak news that populations of migratory freshwater fish species have plummeted globally by 76% on average since 1970, including a 93% collapse in Europe.

With the Water Framework Directive having recently been given the final sign-off, the EU must now invest in full implementation and enforcement, which includes eradicating the misuse of the exemptions provided under the law - particularly when these allow more hydropower projects to go ahead.

Climate change exacerbating biodiversity loss

Climate change is projected to become one of the key drivers of biodiversity loss in the coming decades. At the same time, nature loss can adversely affect climate – for example, deforestation increases greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, it is essential that the climate and biodiversity crises are addressed together.

The new EU climate law - a key component of the European Green Deal - could be a milestone in our fight against climate change. The law must include a 65% emissions reduction target for 2030 and an independent scientific body to scrutinise EU climate policy. In addition, the law must ensure all policies align with the EU’s climate targets by 2021.

“The findings of this report, and the Covid-19 crisis have demonstrated quite how closely human and planetary health are linked. Now is the moment for our politicians to put their money where their mouth is, by earmarking half of the EU recovery fund for environment and climate action, and ensuring that not a penny will go to fossil fuels and other harmful sectors,” concluded Ester Asin.

Commenting on report’s findings, Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General at Emirates Nature-WWF, said, "Today, more than ever before we urgently need to take action and work alongside organisations, governments and individuals to shift environmental patterns and help build a resilient future. This action is needed not only to bolster the economy but to also ensure future generations’ security. During this fast-evolving pandemic, we saw clear indications of the changes that can help us start to restore our environment if we let it stabilise. At the root of this action is a fundamental change to our lifestyles."