Biodiversity Challenge

Biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, with 420 million hectares of forest lost in recent decades and global species populations dropping by 69% since 1970. This loss threatens ecosystems, human health and economic stability while widening a $711 billion annual financing gap.

Addressing the crisis requires disruptive innovation to protect and restore nature, particularly across forest landscapes that host over 80% of terrestrial species. The Biodiversity Challenge, launched by UpLink in collaboration with the Forum's Forest Future Alliance and Mercuria, sought solutions to enhance monitoring, mobilize finance and strengthen local value chains to conserve and regenerate ecosystems.