Biodiversity—the enormous variety of all life on Earth—is the foundation for human development and survival. Biodiversity provides food, water, clean air, a stable climate, and livelihoods, supporting more than half of the global gross domestic product.
But biodiversity is in crisis. Land and sea use change, overexploitation, climate change, pollution, and invasive alien species are pushing species and ecosystems to the brink. And yet biodiversity has shown that it can bounce back, if given the chance.
2024 USAID Biodiversity Policy
The updated USAID Biodiversity Policy provides a blueprint for how the Agency will work to conserve biodiversity in priority places and catalyze nature-positive, equitable development, emphasizing transformative shifts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.
With this Policy, USAID will act across sectors to catalyze development in support of a free, peaceful, and prosperous world in which both people and nature can thrive.
What Has Changed Since the 2014 Policy?
Elevating a nature-positive, equitable approach to development that emphasizes transformative shifts in societal systems to halt and reverse biodiversity loss
Sharing ownership of biodiversity mainstreaming across sectors at USAID, including expanding nature-based solutions and managing nature-related risks to development
Strengthening the focus on locally led development and the stewardship of biodiversity by Indigenous Peoples and local communities
Updating the list of Tier One Biodiversity Missions and Biodiversity Code requirements for Biodiversity funds to emphasize evidence-informed approaches and opportunities for transformative change
Vision
Biodiversity conserved so people and nature can thrive
Goal 1:
Conserve biodiversity in priority places
Goal 2:
Catalyze nature-positive, equitable development
Principles
The following principles are the guiding, mutually reinforcing approaches and best practices that articulate how USAID will achieve its goals and vision of biodiversity conserved so people and nature can thrive.
Locally Led Development
Support biodiversity conservation actions that are locally led, owned, and implemented
Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Stewardship
Partner with Indigenous Peoples and local communities and foster their leadership in biodiversity conservation
Cross-sectoral Approaches
Integrate biodiversity conservation and other development goals and approaches, and manage nature-related risks across sectors
Climate Resilience and Nature-based Solutions for Climate
Strengthen the resilience of biodiversity to climate change and elevate nature-based solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation
Private Sector Engagement
Partner with the private sector to reduce drivers of biodiversity loss, increase financing for biodiversity conservation, and expand the scale, impact, and sustainability of programming
Policy Engagement
Leverage the convening power and technical expertise of USAID to advance international, regional, national, and municipal policies that promote biodiversity conservation and nature-positive, equitable development
Evidence and Learning
Apply evidence and learning, including Indigenous and local knowledge, to enhance biodiversity conservation practice
For More Information
USAID Biodiversity Policy: Fact Sheet
FACT SHEET – The USAID Biodiversity Policy provides a blueprint for how the Agency will work to conserve biodiversity in priority places and catalyze nature-positive, equitable development.
Conserving Biodiversity
USAID Biodiversity Conservation Programs in Partner Countries
