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