- The steepest decline is shown in the freshwater index, 85%
- The world is approaching irreversible environmental tipping points driven by nature loss and climate change.
- We have the power-and opportunity-to change the trajectory
The Living Planet Index (LPI), provided by ZSL (Zoological Society of London), includes almost 35,000 population trends of 5,495 species from 1970-2020. The strongest decline is reported in freshwater ecosystems 85%, followed by terrestrial 69% and marine 56%. Habitat loss and degradation, driven primarily by our food systems, is the most reported threat to wildlife populations around the world, followed by overexploitation, invasive species and disease. Pollution is an additional threat for wildlife populations in Asia and the Pacific, which have recorded a staggering 60% average decline.
Declines in wildlife populations can act as an early warning indicator of increasing extinction risk and the potential loss of healthy ecosystems. When ecosystems are damaged, they can become more vulnerable to tipping points - being pushed beyond a critical threshold resulting in substantial and potentially irreversible change. Potential global tipping points, such as the dieback of the Amazon rainforest and the mass die-off of coral reefs, could create shockwaves far beyond the immediate area impacting food security and livelihoods.
Kirsten Schuijt, Director General of WWF International, said: “Nature is issuing a distress call. The linked crises of nature loss and climate change are pushing wildlife and ecosystems beyond their limits, with dangerous global tipping points threatening to damage Earth’s life-support systems and destabilize societies. The catastrophic consequences of losing some of our most precious ecosystems, like the Amazon rainforest and coral reefs, would be felt by people and nature around the world.”
The decline of the three vulture species in India—white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis), Indian vulture (Gyps indicus), and slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris)—is alarming. Research shows that these species have seen dramatic population decreases, particularly between 1992 and 2002. A 2022 nationwide vulture survey by BNHS highlights the extent of this decline: the white-rumped vulture population has dropped by 67%, the Indian vulture by 48%, and the slender-billed vulture by a staggering 89% compared to their populations in 2002. This situation underscores the urgent need for conservation measures to protect these critical scavengers and maintain ecological balance.
Despite a decline in many wildlife populations in India, some populations have stabilized and shown recovery, largely due to proactive government initiatives, effective habitat management, and robust scientific monitoring, combined with community engagement and public support. Notably, India is home to the largest population of wild tigers globally. The All-India Tiger Estimation 2022 estimated a mean of 3,682 tigers, a significant increase from the 2,967 estimated in 2018.
Additionally, the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) recently launched the first Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI), which systematically evaluated 70% of their potential range. This assessment estimated the snow leopard population at 718. It also provides insights into their distribution and the key threats they face, to further strengthen the conservation efforts for these magnificent creatures.
The Living Planet Report 2024 highlights that ecological degradation combined with climate change increases the likelihood of reaching local and regional tipping points. For example, rapid urban expansion in Chennai has resulted in an 85% decline in the area of wetlands. Vital services that the wetlands provided – including retaining water, recharging groundwater and flood regulation – were radically diminished, leaving the people of Chennai vulnerable to both droughts and flooding - made worse by climate change. Recognizing their importance to the people of Chennai, the government is now restoring the wetlands and associated natural drainage systems. Launch of the Tamil Nadu Wetland Mission, declaration of Pallikarani marsh (largest wetland in Chennai) as a Ramsar site, programmes like the Integrated Urban Flood Management for Chennai Kosathaliyar basin, and City of 1000 tanks are some of the initiatives in this direction.
Ravi Singh, Secretary General & CEO, WWF-India said “The Living Planet Report 2024 highlights the interconnectedness of nature, climate and human well-being. The choices and actions we make over the next five years will be crucial for the planet's future. WWF-India is committed to fostering collaboration across governments, businesses, communities and individuals to ensure that our policies and practices in climate, nature conservation and sustainable development are aligned and effective in addressing this pressing challenge. Together, we can forge a path toward a more resilient and thriving world for all.”
Countries have agreed on ambitious global goals to halt and reverse nature loss (the Global Biodiversity Framework), cap global temperature rise to 1.5ºC (the Paris Agreement), and eradicate poverty (the UN Sustainable Development Goals). But the Living Planet Report says national commitments and action on the ground fall far short of what’s required to meet targets for 2030 and avoid dangerous tipping points.
The report states that the only way to make progress on the global goals of halting and reversing nature loss by 2030 and addressing the drivers of climate change is by transforming our energy, food and finance systems. At the same time, we must scale-up effective and inclusive conservation action, taking account of the rights, needs and values of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Ecosystem based adaptation (EbA) - approaches which benefit biodiversity, climate and human well-being at the same time - hold enormous potential.
Notes to Editors
- *The Living Planet Index shows an average 73% decline in monitored vertebrate wildlife populations (mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish). The percentage change in the index reflects the average proportional change in monitored animal population sizes at sites around the world, not the number of individual animals lost, nor the number of populations lost.
- The LPR 2024 is the 15th edition of WWF's biennial flagship publication.
- Please note that successive iterations of the LPI are not directly comparable as they contain different sets of species. It is also important to note the significance of the 1970 baseline for the various regions monitored.
About WWF
WWF is an independent conservation organization, with over 30 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
About ZSL
Founded in 1826, ZSL is an international conservation charity, driven by science, working to restore wildlife in the UK and around the world; by protecting critical species, restoring ecosystems, helping people and wildlife live together and inspiring support for nature. Through our leading conservation zoos, London and Whipsnade, we bring people closer to nature and use our expertise to protect wildlife today, while inspiring a lifelong love of animals in the conservationists of tomorrow.
For further information and interview requests, please contact:
Komal Chaudhary| Senior Manager, Media & PR-WWF India
kchaudhary@wwfindia.net
