Humanity viewed as the dominant influence. The value that something has for human beings and human purposes (Pascual et al., 2017). The opposite of a non-anthropocentric value, where value is centred on something other than human beings. These values can be non-instrumental or instrumental to non-human ends (IPBES/4/INF/13). https://zenodo.org/records/5657079#.ZEfhZc5ByUm

Functioning ecosystems on land and in the oceans absorb a large proportion of man-made CO₂ emissions. Forests, for example, store a significant amount of carbon. However, if forested areas are destroyed through deforestation or succumb to fires, this releases the captured carbon as CO₂, which contributes to an increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Another example is moors and mangrove forests, which normally are carbon sinks. However, if they are degraded or destroyed altogether, they can no longer fulfil this function. This means the integrity and functionality of ecosystems are crucial when it comes to stabilizing the climate.

See also Biodiversity, climate change and energy 2024

Climate change itself is having a profound negative effect on biodiversity. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, habitat loss, water scarcity, crop losses, desertification, ocean acidification or an increase in extreme weather events: all these developments are putting pressure on local ecosystems, including the plants and animals that live there. This means that many species are being forced to leave their habitats just to survive or are already on the brink of extinction. ( From myclimate.org)

See also Biodiversity, climate change and energy 2024

The direct drivers of biodiversity loss are changes in land- and sea-use, overexploitation, climate change, pollution and invasive alien species. Many activities, such as agriculture, fisheries, urban expansion and trade, contribute to multiple drivers. Addressing the impact of these drivers on biodiversity requires cooperation between different EU policy domains, as well as strong international cooperation because climate change and trade are global issues, and invasive species cross borders.

Examples include:

• Pesticide pollution, which has short-term effects on directly exposed organisms as well as long-term effects on biodiversity from changes in habitat and food chains
• Excessive fertilizer use, which affects biodiversity through eutrophication of water bodies and soil acidification due to nutrient runoff (mainly nitrogen and phosphorus).
• The fisheries industry, which contributes to changes in sea-use and to overexploitation and pollution of marine resources.

See also EU policies address direct drivers of biodiversity loss

It is estimated that over half of the world’s GDP is dependent on nature. As such, economic stability is closely tied to ecosystem health. The “biodiversity economy” shifts the focus to conserving, restoring and sustainably using biodiversity as a core component of economic development.Unlike traditional approaches that often view nature as an endless resource, the biodiversity economy acknowledges the critical role of Earth’s diverse life forms in supporting human survival and economic prosperity. The approach aims to protect and restore ecosystems while creating economic opportunities that benefit both people and the planet. (UNEP, 2025) Biodiversity enables Nature to be productive, resilient and adaptable. Just as diversity within a portfolio of financial assets reduces risk and uncertainty, so diversity within a portfolio of natural assets increases Nature’s resilience to shocks, reducing the risks to Nature’s services. Reduce biodiversity, and Nature and humanity suffer (The Economics of Biodiversity, The Dasgupta Review, 2021). Biodiversity loss also has profound economic consequences, particularly in sectors like agriculture, fisheries and healthcare. It is estimated that the global economic impact of biodiversity loss amounts to US$ 10 trillion annually, including healthcare costs from increased disease transmission and agricultural losses from pollinator declines. For example, the decline in bee populations, which are responsible for pollinating crops worth over US$ 235 billion annually, threatens global food security and nutrition. (WHO, 2025)

See also Biodiversity and trade 2021 and Biodiversity and finance 2022

People depend on biodiversity in many ways. Human health relies on ecosystem resources, products and services (such as fresh water, food and fuel sources; the regulation of crop pests and diseases; and the regulation of air, water and soil quality) which are needed for good health and productive livelihoods. Biodiversity loss can have significant direct health impacts if ecosystem services no longer meet societal needs. (WHO, 2025)

See also: Biodiversity and health 2023

The main indirect drivers of biodiversity loss are the unsustainable patterns of production, consumption, resource use and trade underlying the direct drivers [of biodiversity loss]. These patterns are entrenched in societal values and behaviors and can only be tackled via transformative change: i.e., fundamental, system-wide reorganization across technological, economic and social factors, including paradigms, goals and values.

See also EU policies address direct drivers of biodiversity loss

Material NCPs include, for example, energy provision (e.g., firewood), food and feed, building materials (e.g., wood, stone), labor (e.g., draft animals), companionship (e.g. pets and farm animals). (IPBES, n.d., op.cit.)

NCPs are all the contributions, both positive and negative, of living nature to people’s quality of life. (Díaz et al., 2018). As such, NCPs refer to “all contributions – beneficial and detrimental – that people, individually or collectively at various scales, derive or endure from nature. (IPBES, Secretariat, Note by Multidisciplinary Expert Panel, n.d., but post-2021)

As interventions that promise to simultaneously address multiple goals and to provide a wide range of environmental, economic and social benefits, nature-based solutions offer significant promise as responses to sustainability challenges that resonate at a local level whilst also addressing global issues. They are also seen to have the potential to offer a transformative approach for meeting sustainability challenges, through delivering processes such that sustainable communities are designed, strategies formulated and initiatives implemented which are inclusive and where their outcomes are transformative not only in environmental terms but also account for issues of social justice. (EU Nature-based Solutions: 2022)

The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to secure healthy, resilient, biodiversity-rich ecosystems that deliver the range of services essential to the prosperity and well-being of citizens. Nature-based solutions – with healthy and biodiverse ecosystems at their core – are central to achieving the objectives of this strategy and sustainably tackling wider societal, economic and environmental challenges. (EU Nature-based Solutions: 2022)

Nature-based solutions can be a powerful tool for cities dealing with the contemporary sustainability challenges including degradation of natural capital and ecosystem services, vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters, as well as corresponding health and wellbeing issues. NbS have the potential to boost local economies and create business opportunities. (EU Nature-based Solutions: 2022)

There are many examples of NCP regulating services such as: air quality, climate, ocean acidification, freshwater coastal water quality and quantity, habitat creation and maintenance, pollination and seed dispersal, soil and sediment formation / protection / decontamination, mitigation of hazards and extreme weather, mitigation of detrimental organisms and biological processes.  (IPBES, n.d., op.cit.)

Non-material NCPs include, for example, learning and inspiration, physical and psychological experiences, and supporting identity formation. (IPBES, n.d., op.cit.)