Global environmental agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) have set stringent goals for the conservation of biodiversity. Scientifically robust biodiversity indicators are required to track progress towards these goals, to define the status and trends of biodiversity, and to measure human impact on the planet.
The Indicators and Assessments (IAU) unit, a joint initiative between the Institute of Zoology and Conservation Programmes, was formed in 2006 for exactly this purpose. Its projects provide vital science to inform global policy for the CBD 2020 strategic plan.
