Swiss Re Reveals Percentage Of Countries At Risk Of Ecosystem Collapse

A fifth of countries worldwide are at risk from ecosystem collapse due to a decline in biodiversity, according to a new Swiss Re report.

Countries around the world are reliant on services that are based on their natural ecosystems, according to the reinsurer.

Biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES) include necessities like food provision, water security and air quality that are vital to the stability of communities and economies. According to the firm, 55% of global GDP — equal to $41.7 trillion — is dependent on high-functioning BES.

However, 20% of countries globally are at risk of their ecosystems collapsing due to a decline in biodiversity, according to a study based on Swiss Re’s new Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Index.

The research found that both developing and advanced economies are at risk, while developing countries that have a heavy dependence on agricultural sectors are especially susceptible to BES shocks.