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Mining threats in high‐level biodiversity conservation policies

Torres, Aurora, zu Ermgassen, Sophus O.S.E., Navarro, Laetitia M., Ferri‐Yanez, Francisco, Teixeira, Fernanda Z., Wittkopp, Constanze, Rosa, Isabel M. D., Liu, Jianguo (2024) Mining threats in high‐level biodiversity conservation policies. Conservation Biology, 38 (4). Article Number e14261. ISSN 0888-8892. E-ISSN 1523-1739. (doi:10.1111/cobi.14261) (KAR id:105538)

Abstract

Amid a global infrastructure boom, there is increasing recognition of the ecological impacts of the extraction and consumption of construction minerals, mainly processed as concrete, including significant and expanding threats to global biodiversity. We investigated how high‐level national and international biodiversity conservation policies address mining threats, with a special focus on construction minerals. We conducted a review and quantified the degree to which threats from mining these minerals are addressed in biodiversity goals and targets under the 2011–2020 and post‐2020 biodiversity strategies, national biodiversity strategies and action plans, and the assessments of the Intergovernmental Science–Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Mining appeared rarely in national targets but more frequently in national strategies. Yet, in most countries, it was superficially addressed. Coverage of aggregates mining was greater than coverage of limestone mining. We outline 8 key components, tailored for a wide range of actors, to effectively mainstream biodiversity conservation into the extractive, infrastructure, and construction sectors. Actions include improving reporting and monitoring systems, enhancing the evidence base around mining impacts on biodiversity, and modifying the behavior of financial agents and businesses. Implementing these measures could pave the way for a more sustainable approach to construction mineral use and safeguard biodiversity.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/cobi.14261
Uncontrolled keywords: mitigación de impacto, Aichi biodiversity targets, cement, limestone, metas Aichi parala biodiversidad, caliza, política ambiental, endangered species, environmental policy, especies en peligro, sand, impact mitigation, extractive industries, industrias extractivas, cemento, Arena
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation
Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation > DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology)
Funders: Coordenação de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (https://ror.org/00x0ma614)
Conselleria de Innovación, Universidades, Ciencia y Sociedad Digital (https://ror.org/03fteab26)
Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (https://ror.org/05r0vyz12)
Natural Environment Research Council (https://ror.org/02b5d8509)
National Science Foundation (https://ror.org/021nxhr62)
SWORD Depositor: JISC Publications Router
Depositing User: JISC Publications Router
Date Deposited: 19 Apr 2024 13:37 UTC
Last Modified: 02 Aug 2024 02:46 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/105538 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

zu Ermgassen, Sophus O.S.E..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6044-3389
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