The third edition of Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO-3), produced by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was published on 10 May 2010. The report confirms that the world has failed to meet its target to achieve a significant reduction in the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. The report is based on scientific assessments, national reports submitted by governments and a study on future scenarios for biodiversity. Subject to an extensive independent scientific review process, publication of GBO-3 is one of the principal milestones of the UN International Year of Biodiversity. The Outlook warns that massive further loss of biodiversity is becoming increasingly likely, and with it, a severe reduction of many essential services to human societies as several tipping points are approached, in which ecosystems shift to alternative, less productive states from which it may be difficult or impossible to recover.

The principal sources on which GBO-3 is based include: (1) An analysis of the current status and trends of biodiversity, carried out by the Biodiversity Indicators Partnership, a network of organizations coordinated by UNEP-WCMC; (2) A study of scenarios and models regarding biodiversity in the 21st Century, involving a wide range of scientists under the auspices of the Diversitas network and UNEP-WCMC. This study, Biodiversity Scenarios: Projections of 21^st Century Change in Biodiversity and Associated Ecosystem Services was also launched on May 10th; (3) Some 500 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles and assessments from inter-governmental and non-governmental bodies reviewed for the Outlook; (4) 110 national reports on biodiversity submitted by governments to the CBD.

Global Biodiversity Outlook 3

Biodiversity scenarios for the future (CBD Technical Series No. 50)

CBD press release