The most biodiverse country in the world is not in the top ten of the Natural Conservancy Index. In fact, among 180 countries, Brazil is in the 30th position, with a score of 62.1.The index points out Brazil's challenges, as the country participates in COP16 in Cali, Colombi. The biodiversity conference happens every two years and is going to bring together leaders from 197 countries by November 2nd. Like 164 other countries, Brazil did not submit the NPSAB.
The NCI has its first edition launched this year to evaluate worldwide efforts in biodiversity conservation. The ranking is a collaboration between the Israeli institution Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and the website BioDB. Leading the list is Luxembourg, and the only countries from the Global South in the top ten are Zimbabwe and Costa Rica. The methodology used in the index involves 25 indicators divided into four key pillars: Land Management, Threats to Biodiversity, Capacity and Governance, and Future Trends. These indicators range from 0 to 100 and are based on public databases and scientific research.
This story was produced as part of the 2024 CBD COP16 Fellowship organized by Internews' Earth Journalism Network. It was first published in Portuguese in Colabora on October 23, 2024. It has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Banner image: COP16 - PLENARY / Credit: UN Biodiversity via Flickr
Bibiana Maia da Silva
