Living Planet Report 2026: Global Wildlife Decline and Biodiversity Conservation

Why in News?

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has released its Living Planet Report 2026, which assesses long-term changes in wildlife populations and the condition of biodiversity.

What is the Living Planet Index?

• The Living Planet Index (LPI) tracks changes in the population sizes of monitored vertebrate species.
• It covers amphibians, birds, fish, mammals and reptiles across terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems.
• The index was developed by WWF in 1998, while the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has managed it in partnership with WWF since 2006.
• It measures the average change in population size, not the total number of animals lost.

Key Findings

• The average size of monitored vertebrate populations declined by 73% between 1970 and 2022.
• The assessment covered 35,803 populations belonging to 5,790 species.
• Freshwater ecosystems recorded the sharpest decline at 85%, followed by terrestrial ecosystems at 69% and marine ecosystems at 59%.
• Regionally, the largest declines occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean (95%), followed by Africa (80%) and Asia-Pacific (49%).
• Major drivers include habitat loss, overexploitation, climate change, invasive species, pollution and disease.
• Food production and consumption are major contributors to biodiversity loss because agriculture drives habitat conversion, resource extraction and greenhouse-gas emissions.
• However, successful conservation programmes show that wildlife populations can recover. Examples include tigers, green turtles, bluefin tuna and southern African elephants.
• Global wild tiger numbers increased from about 3,200 in 2010 to nearly 5,700 in 2025.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

• The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a legally binding international agreement focused on biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
• It was opened for signature at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (Rio Earth Summit) in Rio de Janeiro. 
• The CBD currently has 196 Parties. 
• It covers biodiversity at three major levels: 
  • Ecosystems 
  • Species 
  • Genetic resources 

Three Main Objectives

• Conservation of biological diversity, including genetic, species and ecosystem diversity. 
• Sustainable use of biological resources. 
• Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources. 

Institutional Framework

• The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the CBD's main decision-making body. 
• The COP consists of governments that are Parties to the Convention. 
• It meets every two years to review progress, establish priorities and adopt work programmes. 
• The CBD Secretariat is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. 

Major Protocols

• Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety 
  • Adopted in 2000 and entered into force in 2003. 
  • Regulates the transboundary movement of living modified organisms (LMOs). 
  • Focuses on protecting biodiversity from potential risks associated with LMOs. 
• Nagoya Protocol 
  • Adopted in 2010. 
  • Provides a legally binding framework for access to genetic resources and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilisation.

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

• WWF is an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) working for environmental conservation, biodiversity protection and reduction of human pressure on nature. 
• Established: 1961 
• Headquarters: Gland, Switzerland 
• Founders: Sir Peter Scott, Max Nicholson and others. 
• Global presence: Works in 100+ countries through conservation programmes and partnerships. 

Objectives

• Conservation of biodiversity and wildlife. 
• Protection of forests, water and marine resources. 
• Promotion of the sustainable use of natural resources. 
• Reduction of pollution and climate change. 
• Prevention of deforestation and habitat destruction. 
• Promotion of sustainable food production and consumption. 
• Promotion of environmental awareness and sustainable development.

Major Initiatives and Reports

• Publishes the Living Planet Report, which assesses trends in global wildlife populations. 
• Maintains the Living Planet Index (LPI) in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). 
• Organises global awareness campaigns such as Earth Hour. 
• Supports innovative conservation approaches such as Debt-for-Nature Swaps. 
• Uses AI, sensors and camera-trap technologies for wildlife monitoring and conservation. 

WWF-India

• Established: November 1969 
• It was established as a charitable public trust for conserving India's natural heritage and ecological diversity. 
• National Secretariat: New Delhi. 
• It works on wildlife conservation, forests, freshwater, sustainable agriculture, climate change and environmental education. 

Practice Question

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Living Planet Index (LPI), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF):

1. The Living Planet Index measures the absolute number of individual vertebrate animals lost from monitored populations over a given period. 
2. The Cartagena Protocol deals with biosafety, while the Nagoya Protocol focuses on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing. 
3. The Living Planet Index was developed by WWF in 1998 and has been managed by the Zoological Society of London in partnership with WWF since 2006. 
4. WWF is an intergovernmental organisation established under the Convention on Biological Diversity. 

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: (a) 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

• The Living Planet Index measures the average change in the population size of monitored vertebrate species, not the absolute number of animals lost. Hence, Statement 1 is incorrect. 
• The Cartagena Protocol deals with biosafety and the safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms, while the Nagoya Protocol deals with access to genetic resources and fair benefit-sharing. Hence, Statement 2 is correct. 
• The Living Planet Index was developed by WWF in 1998, and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has managed it in partnership with WWF since 2006. Hence, Statement 3 is correct. 
• WWF is an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) established in 1961; it is not an intergovernmental organisation created under the CBD. Hence, Statement 4 is incorrect.