Importance of Biodiversity Disclosure for Tracking Progress Towards SDGs

Reflecting on our project, I earned a lot about the knowledge, policies, and current disclosures

By
Yumo
May 08, 2024

Reflecting on our project, I earned a lot about the knowledge, policies, and current disclosures about the nature and the environment. Meanwhile, this journey wasn’t just a professional undertaking; it prompted significant personal growth. It improved my analytical skills, expanded my comprehension of sustainability, and fostered a deeper reverence for the nuances of biodiversity impacts. Also, the project was a deep dive into the current state of biodiversity disclosure and its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through the intensive research and analysis this semester, I came to understand the challenges of how companies and organizations report their impact on the environment, which is crucial for protecting our ecosystems.

One of the key realizations for me was how essential accurate and consistent biodiversity disclosure is for tracking progress towards these SDGs. By working through the complex data and varying regulations, I realized the importance of having a clear and common reporting framework. Such a framework can help ensure that efforts to protect our oceans and land are measurable and transparent, making it easier to see where we're making progress and where we need to work harder. This project also reveals the gaps and opportunities in current reporting practices. It became clear that without standardized metrics and disclosures, it’s challenging for policymakers, investors, and the public to make informed decisions that favor biodiversity conservation. Understanding these connections has been eye-opening. It’s emphasized the role that thorough and accessible biodiversity reporting plays in guiding us towards achieving the SDGs.

At the same time, the project presented many challenges. The difficulties of biodiversity impacts, varying from location to location, made the development of standardized metrics a complex task. Data access was another issue, complicated by the myriad of regulations across federal and state lines, which shaped my analysis’ scope. Among these complexities, I learned to navigate change with leadership, swiftly adjusting our strategies to maintain project mandates when shifts in focus occurred. Team diversity and transparent communication were also crucial as our team engaged with stakeholders from various sectors, ensuring everyone’s understanding and alignment with the project’s direction.

As I reflect, the journey through this project was not just a line on my CV - it was a transformative experience that reshaped my worldview. It taught me about the importance of biodiversity, not just as a field of study but as a critical component of our planet’s health. I got better at thinking through tough problems and really started to get why taking care of plants and animals is so important. Really enjoy this journey with Professor Sara and my teammates!