Biodiversity is a key player in a healthy and functioning ecosystem. By pollinating plants, insects make an important contribution to food production and therefore also to food security. Meanwhile, forests and plants store large quantities of CO₂ over the long term and purify the air, whereas wetlands and moors play their part by filtering water and improving water quality.
But biodiversity is on the decline around the globe. The situation is a cause for concern, as millions of plant, animal and insect species are now threatened with extinction – and there is no end in sight. More and more important habitats and natural areas are being destroyed by humans or by the changing climate.
If you want to put a number on it, 44 trillion US dollars (which is more than half of global economic output in terms of GDP) of economic value is potentially at risk as a result of biodiversity loss.
In addition to many other human impacts, climate change itself is also having a profound negative effect on biodiversity. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, habitat loss, water scarcity, crop losses, desertification, ocean acidification or an increase in extreme weather events: all these developments are putting pressure on local ecosystems, including the plants and animals that live there. This means that many species are being forced to leave their habitats just to survive, or are already on the brink of extinction.
Yes, the situation forms a vicious circle as the loss of biodiversity is exacerbating the climate crisis. This is because functioning ecosystems on land and in the oceans absorb a large proportion of man-made CO2 emissions.
Forests, for example, store a significant amount of carbon. However, if forested areas are destroyed through deforestation or succumb to fires, this releases the captured carbon as CO₂, which contributes to an increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Another example is moors and mangrove forests, which normally are carbon sinks. However, if they are degraded or even destroyed altogether, they can no longer fulfil this function. This means the integrity and functionality of ecosystems are crucial when it comes to stabilising the climate.
Biodiversity in Switzerland is suffering, too. The Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) estimates that around a third of all species and half of all habitat types in Switzerland are endangered. It’s biodiversity in waterways and on shore areas, in built-up areas and on agricultural land that is under the greatest pressure here.
Some of the most important causes are a lack of space and increasing soil sealing, the fragmentation of habitats by settlements and infrastructure, intensive agricultural use and excessive nitrogen and pesticide deposits.
In theory, the problem has been recognised. The government has committed to the long-term promotion of biodiversity. However, there is an issue translating this into practice. Nature conservation organisations recently called on the Federal Council to step up its efforts.
One thing is clear: the climate crisis and the loss of biodiversity are closely linked. Protecting biodiversity therefore makes a huge contribution to climate protection and should complement the decarbonisation of the economy and society.
There are numerous approaches that both reduce biodiversity loss and contribute to tackling the climate crisis. One example is nature-based solutions that focus on the protection, reconstruction and sustainable management of ecosystems.
Reforestation with native tree species or the renaturation of moors not only sequesters carbon from the atmosphere in the biomass; it also creates new, specialised habitats for countless animal and plant species.
These projects, for example the agroforestry programme throughout the entire German-speaking region or the restoration of raised moors in the Fribourg municipality of Niremont, show that protecting biodiversity is more than just a side effect – it’s a key part of nature-based solutions in the fight against climate change.
The promotion of biodiversity is also possible and effective in the private sphere. In addition to donations for (nature-based) climate protection projects, there are several ways private individuals can do their bit. For example, creating a natural garden or planting insect-friendly flowers on their balcony. However, other decisions, such as avoiding harmful products, consistently using climate-friendly technologies, travelling within Europe instead of overseas or electing environmentally conscious politicians also contribute to the fight against the biodiversity and climate crisis.
In your work life, you can work to protect both the climate and biodiversity by ensuring that your own organisation moves towards net zero. For example, by developing a comprehensive climate strategy or simply by implementing individual targeted measures to reduce your company’s CO2 emissions or by supporting effective climate protection projects. Educating employees and trainees and getting them engaged is another way to do this.
Sources:
Klimawandel und Biodiversitätsverlust gemeinsam angehen, Faktenblatt SCNAT 2021.
Arneth et al. 2020
WWF 2023
IPircle: lBES-IPCC Co-Sponsored Workshop on Biodiversity and Climate Change
WEF 2023 – Biodiversity loss poses a fundamental risk to the global economy | World Economic Forum
Six reasons why we need biodiversity - WUR
Jaureguyberry et al. – The direct drivers of recent global anthropogenic biodiversity loss | Science Advances
WWF 2022 – 13 Tipps für mehr Artenvielfalt auf dem Balkon und im Garten (wwf.de)
Ritchie et al. – Breakdown of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide emissions by sector -Our World in Data
IPCC 2024 – Hauptaussagen
Bundesamt für Umwelt (BAFU)
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