The LPR 2026 and its flagship indicator, the Living Planet Index (LPI), serve as a health check for the world's biodiversity and the natural systems that underpin economies, industries and communities. For business leaders, the report offers both a stark warning and a compelling opportunity.
Nature is the foundation of economic prosperity with 55% of global GDP being moderately or highly dependent on nature. Healthy ecosystems provide the resources, services and stability that businesses depend on, from reliable water supplies and productive agricultural systems to resilient supply chains and climate regulation.
Yet biodiversity continues to decline at an alarming rate, driven primarily by habitat loss and degradation (30%), overharvesting (23%), climate change (14%), and other pressures such as pollution and invasive alien species (33%).
These trends are creating real business risks. Nature-related disruptions are increasingly impacting business operations by destabilising supply chains, increasing operational costs, and creating significant financial and reputational risks.
In South Africa, the effects of extreme climate events provide clear examples of this growing exposure.
The 2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods severely disrupted transport corridors, ports, manufacturing facilities, and logistics networks, resulting in widespread supply chain delays and economic losses. Conversely, prolonged drought conditions, including the Western Cape drought and droughts associated with the upcoming Super El Niño events, will reduce agricultural productivity, constrain water availability, and threaten export-oriented value chains such as the citrus and wine industries.
Demand for natural resources is expected to rise sharply in the coming decades, while climate-related disasters continue to impose major economic costs. At the same time, expectations around corporate accountability are growing, with disclosure of nature-related impacts becoming more common across global markets.
The latest LPR delivers a message of hope alongside its warning.
Around half of the wildlife populations monitored by the Living Planet Index are now stable or increasing. Pacific and Atlantic bluefin tuna populations have improved through science-based fishing quotas and better fisheries management. The green sea turtle has moved from Endangered to Least Concern following five decades of coordinated conservation action across more than 80 countries.
Closer to home, WWF South Africa's Black Rhino Range Expansion Project continues to demonstrate what is possible through collaborative conservation. By establishing viable populations in suitable new habitats, the project has helped reverse the decline of one of Africa's most iconic and critically endangered species. Most recently, the successful translocation of black rhinos to Botswana effectively doubled that country's rhino population.
These successes share a common formula: a clear vision, collective action and sustained commitment over time. They prove that nature can recover and that meaningful transformation is within reach.
For business, the lessons are equally clear. Progress begins with setting ambitious but achievable goals, developing practical plans, taking action and maintaining momentum through challenges. Success depends on learning, adapting and remaining committed to long-term outcomes.
The report identifies three systems where transformative change is urgently needed:
- Building secure, resilient and low-carbon energy systems.
- Transitioning to more sustainable food and agricultural production.
- Aligning financial systems with a nature-positive economy.
Business has the power to accelerate progress across all three.
Pavitray Pillay, head of business, development and marketing at WWF South Africa:
“The Living Planet Report 2026 sends a clear message: nature is not only the foundation of life, but also of economic prosperity. For businesses, biodiversity loss and nature-related risks are increasingly material considerations that affect supply chains, operations, investment decisions and reputational value. Those businesses that act early, understand their connection to nature and collaborate on scalable solutions will be best placed to navigate change and create lasting competitive advantage.”
Download the full Living Planet Report: https://livingplanet.panda.org/
For more information, contact az.gro.fww@ssiewa or 082 920 5993
About WWF South Africa
We are a local NGO that for 50 years has worked towards the aim of inspiring all South Africans to live in harmony with nature, for the benefit of our country and the well-being of all our people. WWF stands for the World Wide Fund for Nature.
