This is the first global independent evaluation of the United Nations Development Programme’s environmental support since 2011, and the first evaluation by the Independent Evaluation Office with an in-depth focus on the organization’s support for terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity. The evaluation covers UNDP’s strategic approaches since 2012 and support delivered over the two most recent UNDP Strategic Plans covering 2018 to 2024. It considers UNDP strategies and programming aimed at accelerating the implementation of global, national and local measures to promote healthy ecosystems and biodiversity.

The evaluation provides an overarching set of findings and conclusions on UNDP support for protection, restoration and sustainable use of ecosystems and the conservation of biological diversity. The findings suggest that UNDP offers important support for many national partners working towards these objectives, but delivering the ambition of the Nature Pledge will require transformative change.

Faced with continued biodiversity loss, new ideas and approaches are now required to restore our natural environment. It is no longer enough to conserve what we have left – we have to tackle the root causes that lie in our demand for natural resources and fossil fuels, which go hand in hand with our propensity to over-consume, waste and pollute. UNDP has provided important support to help governments identify harmful subsidies, and we encourage the organization and its partners to make greater use of these critical interventions.

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