Syllabus

GS 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Context:

On June 23, 2025, the IBAT (Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool) Alliance announced that its 2024 investment in biodiversity data had reached a record level of $2.5 million.

More on the News

  • It observed an increase from previous investment of $1.2 million in 2023.
  • This increased investment signifies that more money will go back into keeping three of the world’s most important biodiversity databases up to date and running smoothly. These include:
    • The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA)
    • The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
    • The World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas (WDKBA)

Significance

  • It helps us better understand the condition of nature worldwide and take real steps to protect plants, animals and their habitats, according to BirdLife International.
  • This will provide reliable, science-based global biodiversity data that can be used for accurate checks and reports, helping people take effective action to protect nature.
  • The increase in funding shows that businesses and financial institutions worldwide are putting money into trusted biodiversity data and using it to guide their decisions.
  • “Over 200 private sector organisations used IBAT data by year-end, helping fund and improve biodiversity datasets.”
  • Provide Support for Global Biodiversity Targets
    • IBAT data is used for:
      • Early biodiversity risk screening
      • Setting conservation goals
      • Measuring progress towards:
      • Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
      • UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

About IBAT

  • A collaborative partnership of four leading conservation organizations: BirdLife International, Conservation International (CI), IUCN, and UNEP-WCMC.
  • Founded in 2005 by Conservation International (CI) and UNEP-WCMC to provide a unified biodiversity data tool for decision-makers.
  • It officially launched in 2008 at the IUCN World Conservation Congress as “IBAT for Business”, targeting corporate and development-sector users.
  • Roles & Contributions
    • BirdLife International: Expertise in Important Bird & Biodiversity Areas (IBAs).
    • Conservation International: Early initiative co-developers.
    • IUCN: Responsible for the IUCN Red List and global conservation standards.
    • UNEP-WCMC: Hosts and updates WDPA, manages IBAT platform
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