Many complex and interlinked trends, including global population growth and climate change, will put increasing pressure on much of the world’s natural resources, which prop up the global economy. The need for regular and accurate monitoring of these resources has increased in parallel with rising global awareness and acknowledgement of the urgent need for innovative, measurable pathways to sustainable development and consumption.

FAO plays active roles in multilateral environmental agreements, providing input on measuring, monitoring, and verifying baselines and changes, as well as standards for reporting and quantification. FAO is supporting countries in the implementation and monitoring of the SDGs. It also collaborates with UN Environment on issues related to food security and ecosystems services.

While most natural resources facing threats, some ecosystems are more vulnerable than others – e.g. drylands, deltas and oases – and are barely able to adapt to changes. Their monitoring is particularly urgent, given the increasing risk that the combined effects of environmental, human and climate change stressors cause negative feedback mechanisms that cause natural systems to collapse, together with the populations that rely on their services and goods.