Quantifying Biodiversity Losses Due to Human Consumption: A Global-Scale Footprint Analysis

Our results showed that

(i) the biodiversity loss per citizen shows large variations among countries, with higher values when per-capita income increases;

(ii) the share of biodiversity losses due to GHG emissions in the biodiversity footprint increases with income;

(iii) food consumption is the most important driver of biodiversity loss in most of the countries and regions, with a global average of 40%;

(iv) more than 50% of the biodiversity loss associated with consumption in developed economies occurs outside their territorial boundaries; and

(v) the biodiversity footprint per dollar consumed is lower for wealthier countries.

The insights provided by our analysis might support policymakers in developing adequate responses to avert further losses of biodiversity when population and incomes increase. Both the mitigation of GHG emissions and land use related reduction options in production and consumption should be considered in strategies to protect global biodiversity.