Global Environmental Biosecurity Initiative
The Global Environmental Biosecurity Initiative strengthens international biosecurity to protect nature.
- Identify Gaps: We will review current international systems to find gaps and areas for improvement.
- Identify Needs: We will confirm the necessary information, tools and resources.
- Secure Change: We will partner with sympathetic countries and institutions to secure the funding and changes needed.
Why it’s urgent
Humans are increasingly moving living organisms around the world through trade and travel. This allows invasive plants, animals and pathogens to severely disrupt ecosystems and harm native biodiversity. As a result, the threats from invasive species are growing significantly worldwide.
Invasive species have contributed to 60 per cent of global plant and animal extinctions and cost over $423 billion per year. They are considered the single greatest threat to biodiversity for most island nations because island ecosystems are often isolated, leaving native species to evolve without the natural predators or competitors found on continents.
As a ‘wicked issue’ that is worsening, there’s an urgent need to accelerate action at all levels. Improving international processes will better support outcomes on a local, national and regional scale. Our work directly supports Target 6 of the 2030 Global Biodiversity Framework, a collective goal agreed upon by nations to reduce the impacts of invasive species.
Why focus on biosecurity?
Prevention and preparedness are the most cost-effective ways to address invasive species risks. While international biosecurity arrangements already exist for human diseases and agriculture, more comprehensive systems are needed to address invasive species that impact nature.
This could mean a greater focus on:
- managing deadly animal diseases like chytrid fungus, which has caused catastrophic declines in amphibian populations globally.
- preventing shipping container ‘hitchhikers’ such as invasive ants and toads, or pests and diseases of trees.
- limiting the trade in dangerous garden plants, pets and aquarium fish, often via e-commerce.
Get involved
Do you want to help protect our planet’s biodiversity from invasive species?
We’re looking for partners and supporters to provide technical and strategic advice, and to contribute funds.
CLICK HERE to fill out the form to register your interest or to stay in touch.
The Global Environmental Biosecurity Initiative is being led by Andrew Cox at 4nature. Andrew has extensive experience in invasive species and biosecurity policy, and is a member of the IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group and an ambassador of the Invasive Species Council (Australia). 4nature is an international eNGO based in Australia.