The Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) Alliance on Monday, June 30, 2025, announced that its 2024 investment in biodiversity data reached a record level of $2.5 million – an increase from $1.2 million in 2023. The growth has reportedly consolidated IBAT’s position as a leading curator of authoritative biodiversity data.
This increase in investment – more than double the figure generated in 2023 – is said to be significant for two reasons.
First, it means that vital funds will be reinvested back into three of the world’s most authoritative biodiversity datasets, supporting critical updates and maintenance:
- The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA)
- The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- The World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas (WDKBA)
This ensures access to credible, science-based global biodiversity data for accurate screening and reporting, enabling meaningful action for nature. It also helps build a more complete picture of the state of nature globally, enhancing understanding of threats to biodiversity and driving tangible conservation action.
Secondly, the growth in funds demonstrates that businesses and financial institutions around the world are investing in authoritative biodiversity data and incorporating it into their decision-making. This is driving real action on the ground at an ever-increasing scale. By year end, over 200 private sector organisations had used IBAT to access biodiversity data, and in doing so provided critical funds that are used to further their development.
The datasets available through IBAT are used for early risk screening, setting goals and measuring progress towards global biodiversity targets such as those in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. They support businesses in understanding the impact of their activities on the natural world, in assessing these impacts, as well as dependencies and risks and aligning with regulatory and disclosure requirements.
IBAT was developed and is maintained by the IBAT Alliance, a coalition of four of the world’s most influential conservation organisations: BirdLife International, Conservation International (CI), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC).
This level of investment from IBAT has enabled Alliance partners to update, expand and improve critical, science-backed biodiversity data that supports policies and decisions for people and nature. For example:
- The investment allows Alliance partners to develop new approaches to improving data quality and accessibility, ensuring that researchers and decision makers the world over can continue to depend upon these resources. It also enables partners to build and strengthen relationships with data providers on the ground, helping them develop their capacity and therefore securing data streams for the future.
- Over 600 new Key Biodiversity Areas were identified in 2024, with a particular focus on South America and Africa. The countries in these regions are among the most biodiverse in the world but have typically been underrepresented. Capturing the new data will ensure that their unique landscapes and wildlife – and the local communities that depend upon them – are given due recognition and consideration in policies and planning.
- In the World Database of Protected Areas, data updates have been completed for around 100 territories across all global regions, enhancing knowledge and showcasing conservation progress.
- The funding has enabled comprehensive assessments of nearly 170,000 species for the IUCN Red List, from the Philippine eagle to the black rhino and the sunflower sea star. The categorization used in Red List data helps inform conservation efforts, with real results. For example, the Iberian lynx has been reclassified from Endangered to Vulnerable thanks to targeted conservation efforts. Red List data are also being used to benefit human health, enabling scientists to better understand the distribution of medicinal plants and of animal species that may be vectors for zoonotic diseases.
This work will continue into 2025 and beyond, building a more complete picture of biodiversity and the natural world as a foundation for action.
Ed Ellis, Head of IBAT, said: “It is fantastic and inspiring that IBAT has been able to invest a record $2.5 million into biodiversity data in 2024, surpassing investments made in previous years. This contribution to the sustainability of world leading biodiversity data plays a crucial role in ensuring these datasets continue to be updated and expand, increasing our understanding of the health of our planet and the species and places most in need of conservation.
“The growing use of IBAT encouragingly shows that more private sector actors are recognizing the importance of incorporating biodiversity into their operational decisions and highlights that key role that businesses can play in bending the curve on biodiversity loss.”
Martin Harper, CEO, BirdLife International, said: “The fantastic embrace of IBAT in the past year has allowed us to make vital improvements to functionality and user experience within the World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas. This will make it even easier for businesses to make informed decisions about their operations for the benefit of nature. It will also allow us to keep growing the network of KBAs which underpin global commitments to protect 30 per cent of land, freshwater and sea by 2030.”
Dr Grethel Aguilar, Director General, IUCN, said: “The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is often referred to as the barometer of life – such is its value in assessing the extinction risks facing animals, fungi and plants around the world. Investment from IBAT allows us to maintain the IUCN Red List as a vital resource for governments, businesses and scientists alike.
“The investment supports the addition of new species groups to the IUCN Red List, updates of previously assessed species and improvements to systems and data. Overall, I’m delighted to see IBAT make such an important contribution to our mission – both financially and through the provision of trusted tools and services to State and non-State actors, as we seek to mobilise a whole-of-society approach to deliver high-integrity nature-positive outcomes.”
Patricia Zurita, Chief Strategy Officer, Conservation International, said: “Ever since IBAT’s creation in 2008, our partnership has proven the appetite private companies have for making the right decision for nature and their business using tools like IBAT. The scientific rigour that is the foundation of IBAT data, plus the combination of these datasets and their analysis, is what makes IBAT a key partner to the private sector in pursuing a more a sustainable future. As a founding partner, Conservation International is delighted to see more investment going into the very foundation of IBAT.”
Neville Ash, Director, UNEP-WCMC, said: “The World Database on Protected Areas is the world’s most authoritative source of information on the coverage and state of protected areas. It is an essential resource for supporting governments and the international community to track progress towards area-based commitments in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“Data on protected areas, made available via IBAT, are also used by businesses and financial institutions to support screening for biodiversity risks and to avoid harm to these important areas. IBAT is playing a significant role not only by supporting wise decision-making, but also by contributing to the much-needed investments to maintain these critically important global biodiversity data.”