Can protecting biodiversity save the world?

Protecting biodiversity isn’t just about keeping nature beautiful—it’s vital to our communities, the climate, and a vast range of economic activities. The United Nations set a goal of conserving 30 percent of the planet by 2030, but the needed conservation efforts are just as complex and varied as the globe’s flora, fauna, and trillions of microbiomes. However, the consequences of failure include threats to the 80 percent of the human diet provided by plants, the 20 percent of animal protein provided by fish, and the biodiversity that helps protect us from diseases that originate in animals. For today’s International Day of Biological Biodiversity, explore our insights to learn more about:

  • our coastlines as climate regulators
  • how biodiversity is key to business
  • hyperlocal maps where conservation can have the most impact
  • how to save the planet’s fish supply

Valuing nature conservation

Blue carbon: The potential of coastal and oceanic climate action

Why investing in nature is key to climate mitigation

Reduced dividends on natural capital?

Precision fisheries: Navigating a sea of troubles with advanced analytics

Decarbonizing the world’s industries: A net-zero guide for nine key sectors

The rising risk of a global food crisis

Forward Thinking on the growing role of business in the net-zero transition with Claire O’Neill

Rethinking meat: A leader in the cultivated meat industry envisions the future

McKinsey for Kids: Hungry fish, baffled farmers, and what happened next

McKinsey for Kids: A tiger’s tale about what nature is really worth