The Cost of Preventing Species Extinctions in Australia: New Paper Released

Every year, more species are driven to extinction due to human impact. A new study co-authored by Jessica Marsh, a member of the Environment Institute, highlights the staggering financial commitment required to halt extinctions for Australia’s priority species. Key findings of this include: 

• Protecting 99 priority species will cost $15.6 billion per year over the next 30 years.
• This investment could provide conservation benefits for over 43% of all other threatened species in Australia
• More ambitious efforts, such as reducing extinction risk or removing species from the threatened list, would require significantly higher funding, up to $157.7 billion per year.

• Despite these costs, 16% of priority species may never be fully removed from the threatened species list due to irreversible habitat loss and climate change impacts.

This research underscores the urgent need for strong government leadership and private sector investment to effectively meet conservation targets. Without adequate financial support, Australia's unique biodiversity remains at significant risk.

The study also highlights the broader benefits of conservation investment, such as ecosystem restoration and carbon sequestration, which could help offset costs.

With Australia facing one of the highest extinction rates globally, securing long-term funding and implementing proactive conservation strategies is essential to safeguarding biodiversity for future generations.

Click the link here to read the full paper.