Countdown 2010 comes to China
“Focusing all our efforts on the achievement of the 2010 target of significantly reducing the loss of biodiversity in the coming years, we acknowledge the urgent need to halt human induced extinction of biodiversity as soon as possible. In this context we welcome the Countdown 2010 Initiative…” – Environment Ministers of G8 + China, India, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa, March 2007 Potsdam
From the steppes of Inner Mongolia to the alpine meadows of Tibet, from the Yellow River to the Yangtze, from the tropical forests of southwestern Yunnan to temperate forests that rank among the most biologically diverse in the world, China is characterized by a breathtaking variety of landscapes and ecosystems and an incredible array of species.
One of the world’s megadiverse countries, China is home to nearly 15% of the world’s mammals, 14% of the birds, and 18% of the fishes. China’s vast natural capital supports its rapid growth and development. But this natural capital is increasingly under threat. In 2006, nearly 3000 of the plants and animals featured in the global IUCN Red List of Threatened Species were found in China.
Endorsed by the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Countdown 2010 is now expanding from Europe to other regions of the world – from South America to Africa to Asia – including China. As a Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity, China is committed to the 2010 biodiversity target. The Countdown 2010 China Hub will highlight and support China’s progress towards this target.
