Species conservation in the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework: Science brief

In OEWG-3 in Geneva, the decision was made to remove the 2030 milestones as a structural element while recognising the importance of retaining the content of the milestones of Goal A in particular. [...] The two metrics helpfully capture different dimensions of the species component of biodiversity: species’ population abundance describes the numerical profusion of species populations, while extinction risk describes the probability of a species persisting into the future (typically considered at a global or national scale). [...] Extinctions resonate with the public, with global extinction being the ultimate irreversible loss of biodiversity and unique genetic material, while the concept of abundance conveys a sense of a plentiful, numerical profusion of nature and is easy to grasp and understand. [...] Practically, to achieve this aim, and to genuinely bend the curve of biodiversity loss, would involve the recovery of the average population abundance of species to 1970s levels, among other indicators of success. [...] 26 Calculations assume that the number of species down-listed to Near Threatened from each of the three threatened categories (Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable) is proportional to the number of species in that category, and the same proportion of Near Threatened species is down-listed to Least Concern.