Getting biodiversity strategy right: What SA’s new action plan must deliver

South Africa's government has released a draft of its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for the period 2026–2035, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's environmental planning. Published on 5 August, the document outlines a comprehensive approach to managing and protecting the country's rich natural resources over the next decade. This strategy forms part of South Africa's commitment to the international Convention on Biological Diversity and serves as a guiding framework for future policies and actions. The strategy is developed under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act and complements the National Biodiversity Framework, which aims to translate the broader goals of the strategy into actionable steps for biodiversity management. These two components form the core of South Africa's approach to biodiversity governance, emphasizing the need for a cohesive and integrated strategy. South Africa is recognized globally for its exceptional biodiversity, hosting over 20,000 indigenous plant species across nine distinct terrestrial biomes. These biomes encompass 458 different terrestrial ecosystem types, along with 150 marine ecosystem types and numerous freshwater wetlands and rivers. Despite this wealth, recent assessments indicate that nearly half of these ecosystem types face threats, with 16 percent of evaluated plant species and 10 percent of animal species currently classified as endangered. The draft strategy recognizes the importance of maintaining ecological integrity, ensuring connectivity among ecosystems, preserving genetic diversity, managing invasive species, restoring degraded habitats, securing freshwater resources, and building resilience against climate change. It emphasizes integrating biodiversity considerations into all levels of decision-making, both governmental and societal. A notable aspect of the strategy is its focus on developing a "biodiversity economy," aiming to expand value chains related to wildlife, bioprospecting, marine and freshwater resources, and increasing the GDP contribution of the biodiversity sector by 10 percent by 2035. Activities such as ecotourism, hunting, fishing, and harvesting are included within this economic model. While the inclusion of local communities in conservation efforts is crucial, the distinction between an economy dependent on biodiversity and one that actively restores it is vital. The former may generate income without necessarily improving the health of natural systems, whereas the latter ensures that economic success is contingent upon the well-being of ecosystems. The draft acknowledges several key challenges facing South Africa's biodiversity, including the exploitation of biological resources, habitat destruction, invasive species, pollution, and climate change. It stresses that the biodiversity economy must function without exhausting the natural capital base, cautioning against equating economic activity with conservation. The effectiveness of each proposed activity within the biodiversity economy should be measured not just by legality or economic productivity, but by its impact on biodiversity itself. If an activity does not contribute to maintaining or enhancing biodiversity, it should not be considered a conservation effort. As the strategy moves forward, it will require careful evaluation and implementation to ensure that the goals outlined are met. The success of the strategy will depend on balancing economic interests with the imperative to conserve and restore South Africa's unique biodiversity.