The United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) identifies habitat destruction as one of the key drivers of the emergence and rapid spread of diseases such as COVID-19 from wildlife to people.
A new global map developed by scientists reveals that out of the total global terrestrial area (excluding Antarctica), 37% is classified as likely Natural, 25% as potential Natural, 17% as potential Modified, and 22% as likely Modified. This classification provides a more precautionary approach than that provided by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IBPES) assessment, which found that only 25% of the terrestrial environment remains unaltered by human actions.
This research adopts a broad definition of naturalness, helping to prevent near-natural habitats from being overlooked and damaged, and aligning with international business performance standards. As published in Biological Conservation, the global map reveals for the first time whether each 1km2 of land on Earth is classified as natural or modified. This new map can help businesses and investors to reduce their impacts on nature.
A very interesting and useful research at a time when everyone agrees on the necessity of having sustainable development models in all realms of our existence. To explore more, we had an interaction with Joe Gosling, lead author of the paper, from the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC).
Please tell us briefly about UNEP-WCMC.
UNEP-WCMC is a global centre of excellence on biodiversity, operating as a collaboration between UN Environment Programme and the charity WCMC. UNEP-WCMC works on the interface of science, policy and practice to help tackle the global nature crisis.
This data layer was created and the paper authored by a team of scientists from UNEP-WCMC, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the University of Queensland, and the University of Northern British Columbia.
How do you think mapping and location intelligence can help in creating a more sustainable world?
Mapping and location intelligence are some of the best tools we have to help us plan to efficiently. In order to progress sustainable development and reduce our impact on nature, decision-makers across all sectors need to know where things are and what is important, including natural habitats.
Also Read: Interview with Toby Wicks, Data Strategist, UNICEF
What was the objective behind creating this map?
This global screening layer was created to help businesses to reduce their impacts on precious natural habitats. This map covers swathes of land not previously included in typical screening data. The map can help businesses to identify natural terrestrial habitat early in screening processes and could also help investors, for example by supporting portfolio-level analysis of existing operations and supply chains to understand the scale of businesses’ presence in natural or modified habitats.
Is the map going to be available for public use?
The map is free for anyone to use and can be viewed and downloaded here.
How hopeful are you about businesses using such maps before making decisions?
Some businesses go to great lengths to understand and reduce their impacts on nature, but many could and should go further. This screening layer is an opportunity for both businesses and investors to better understand their impacts on natural habitats and to start addressing a risk which could otherwise go unnoticed and unmanaged until it may be too late: once natural habitat is converted, mitigation and restoration is costly and uncertain.
What do you think the geospatial community should do to make the business world more aware of their impact on nature?
The geospatial community is well-placed to enable and empower businesses to make positive decisions for nature. This screening layer is just one example of how developing tools and insights could help to encourage transparency within companies and supply chains and help businesses to better understand and reduce their impacts on the environment.
This global map fills significant gaps in current data and provides a holistic view of land’s biodiversity value. Building this data into decision-making will empower businesses and investors to better understand and reduce their impact on nature.
Jonny Hughes, WCMC Chief Executive Officer, UNEP-WCMC shares, “The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us in stark terms that human health is inexorably bound to ecosystem health. As we now seek to build back better from the pandemic, this new research will equip governments, businesses and investors with the data needed to make more informed decisions about where and how to invest in nature to optimise positive impact.”
Also Read: Geographic knowledge crucial for SDGs, Jack Dangermond @ Esri UC 2020
