Living Planet Report 2026

Nature is in decline, but the science provides grounds for hope. We still have time to put this right and by acting now, we can bring our world back to life.

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Like every other species on Earth, people depend on nature. Nature is our life-support system, providing the food we eat, the water we drink, fertile soils, a stable climate and the foundations of healthy economies and communities. Yet we are putting these living systems under immense pressure.

For three decades, WWF's Living Planet Report has tracked the state of the natural world. The latest edition reveals the scale of nature's decline, but it also highlights something equally important: it is possible for nature to recover when we act together.

In 2026, the Living Planet Report shows that the recovery of species like tigers and tuna is possible. It also demonstrates that by using the same principles we can transform our food, energy and finance systems – we just need governments and businesses to act.

Nature is disappearing

73%

decline in the average size of monitored vertebrate wildlife populations.

Nature is in freefall. The size of monitored vertebrate wildlife populations has declined by 73% on average between 1970 and 2022, based on monitored vertebrate populations measured through the Living Planet Index.

This is based on scientific monitoring data from 35,803 populations and 5,790 species of amphibians, birds, fishes, mammals and reptiles.

Freshwater species are faring worst, with average population sizes plunging 85%.

At a regional level, the steepest declines since 1970 have been recorded in Latin America and the Caribbean (-95%), Africa (-80%), and Asia and the Pacific (-49%).

Nature is in crisis, but there is hope. Evidence shows recovery is possible. While the headline statistics are deeply concerning, not all species are declining. Around half of the populations in the Living Planet Index are stable or increasing.

Halting and reversing the loss of nature is possible.

Restoring nature

Around the world, we're seeing remarkable examples of nature's recovery where the right action is taken. From local communities to global initiatives, conservation action is making a real difference. Populations of iconic species such as Southern African elephants, tigers, bluefin tuna and green turtles have rebounded in recent years thanks to ambitious, collective efforts. These success stories are proof that nature can recover when we act.

Conservation works. But we cannot restore nature globally without fixing our food, energy and finance systems.

Triggering transformation

Transforming our food, energy and finance systems at the scale and pace needed can seem daunting. But change can happen faster than we think.

We have already seen this in the energy transition, where solar and wind power are growing rapidly and the shift to electric vehicles continues to accelerate.

Evidence from around the world shows that when the right policies, investment and incentives are in place, positive tipping points can drive rapid change. Similar opportunities exist in food systems and finance, helping to redirect resources towards nature's recovery and a more sustainable future.

The Living Planet Report shows that we have the power to decide nature’s future. By acting now, we can accelerate the change needed to build a more resilient, nature-positive world.

The Living Planet Report 2026 shows both the scale of the challenge and the real momentum for change. We know what's driving nature's decline, and we know the solutions that can help reverse it. Nature recovery is possible, but what happens next depends on the choices made by leaders, businesses, investors, communities and citizens today.

See the signs of recovery and explore how we can accelerate nature’s recovery – or download the full report to dive deeper into the science behind building a positive future where people and nature thrive.

“Nature loss is not just a crisis for wildlife. It's already affecting our food, water, economy and resilience to extreme weather, with growing implications for our security and prosperity. We stand at a crossroads: either we continue paying the price of nature loss, or we invest in nature's recovery and a future where people and wildlife can thrive together.”

Tanya Steele
WWF-UK Chief Executive

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