Protection of global freshwater biodiversity through German development cooperation

The biodiversity crisis is one of the top 3 risks facing humanity, according to the World Economic Forum's Risk Report. Freshwater species are not only the most endangered, but are also less protected than species of terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Successful protection of rivers, peatlands or lakes is a cross-sectoral policy challenge and requires, in addition to expanding nature conservation measures, more sustainable water management as well as a transformation of agriculture and the energy sector. As one of the world's largest development cooperation (DC) donors, Germany plays an important role in global efforts to safeguard freshwater biodiversity. The project, commissioned by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), aimed at raising awareness for the freshwater biodiversity crisis among actors of German DC and at strengthening German conservation efforts in the Global South.

In order to implement these goals, adelphi developed a policy brief that shows actors in German development cooperation ways to implement the post-2020 Global Framework on Biodiversity. The framework was finalised at the UN Summit on Biodiversity in Montreal in December 2022 and forms the most important policy framework for global biodiversity conservation. Its implementation will be crucial to slow the rapid loss of species. In addition, adelphi developed factsheets that demonstrate the multiple synergies intact rivers, peatlands or lakes offer for achieving the UN sustainability agenda. By providing diverse services such as drinking water or food, freshwater ecosystems are crucial for a sustainable future, especially in countries of the Global South, where many livelihoods depend on them.