Abstract
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are aimed at improving human well-being at a global scale, whilst enhancing and preserving global biodiversity. Recently, botanic gardens worldwide have become more conservation focused, and gardens are increasingly influential in scientific roles that address both biodiversity loss and human well-being—particularly in urban areas. As the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Kew) launched its new Manifesto for Change in 2021, this paper outlines how the organisation currently contributes to the SDGs and examines where the work of botanic gardens can have the biggest impact. This paper focuses on the use of policy engagement, education and outreach, and scientific research to document Kew’s contribution to the goals so far, both in the UK and elsewhere. The SDGs address high level global objectives, many of which are not directly relatable to the activities of a single organisation. Kew’s approach to this challenge is to seek out the intention of the Goals by interrogating their subsidiary Targets. We then translate the intention of any given SDG into actions that are meaningful to our specific practice. Many of RBG Kew’s existing projects and programmes address the SDGs and we are aligning our aims with them more closely still.
Highlights
Biodiversity loss is commonly seen as a less evocative, emotive or immediate crisis than the climate emergency, which is higher up in the public consciousness, and has seemingly more tangible impacts, such as floods, droughts, fires, and climate migration. The impacts from this age of extinction will affect all aspects of life on Earth [1]. These crises are connected in a vicious cycle—a changing climate drives further biodiversity loss, and degraded ecosystems are less able to absorb emissions and mitigate the worst consequences of climate change
The result is that botanic gardens have changed; gardens are increasingly influential in social perceptions of humanity as a part of nature rather than separated, and as a means of communicating the critical importance of halting biodiversity loss
This paper focuses on what Kew is doing to assist government and non-governmental organisations in halting biodiversity loss, inspiring and empowering diverse audiences to take action to tackle climate change and protect biodiversity, adopting internal sustainable practices, and promoting the needs of the environment—all of which contribute to the SDGs
Summary
Biodiversity loss is commonly seen as a less evocative, emotive or immediate crisis than the climate emergency, which is higher up in the public consciousness, and has seemingly more tangible impacts, such as floods, droughts, fires, and climate migration. The result is that botanic gardens have changed; gardens are increasingly influential in social perceptions of humanity as a part of nature rather than separated, and as a means of communicating the critical importance of halting biodiversity loss This has been achieved through recording the impacts upon biodiversity worldwide caused by climate change, the fragmentation and destruction of habitats, alien species, and overharvesting [8]. We aim to provide an overview and select case studies of how Kew works collaboratively to address the SDGs. This paper focuses on what Kew is doing to assist government and non-governmental organisations in halting biodiversity loss, inspiring and empowering diverse audiences to take action to tackle climate change and protect biodiversity, adopting internal sustainable practices, and promoting the needs of the environment—all of which contribute to the SDGs. Kew works collaboratively with international partners towards shared objectives, and our work, like the SDGs, is both local and global in scope
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
