Increasing pesticide toxicity threatens UN goal of global biodiversity protection by 2030

(Press-News.org) At the 15th UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montreal, Canada, in 2022, nations committed to reducing the risks associated with pesticide use in agriculture by 50% by 2030. A new study by a research team from RPTUKaiserslautern-Landau, published in the journal Science, reveals that this global target is now under serious threat. Using a novel analytical method, the researchers assessed trends in pesticide toxicity worldwide and found that current trajectories fall far short of the 2030 goal. The study concludes that immediate, coordinated action across nearly all countries is essential to reverse the trend and meet the UN commitment.

The scientists analyzed global pesticide use data, comparing the amount of each active ingredient applied in agriculturewith its environmental toxicity. Using this approach, a research team led by environmental scientists Ralf Schulz and Jakob Wolfram developed a novel method to calculate applied toxicity – a measure of the annual environmental risk posed by pesticides in a country’s agricultural systems. This metric enables a more accurate assessment of the global threat or potential impacts pesticides pose to biodiversity. "This gives us a whole new perspective on the potential risks to the environment and biodiversity posed by pesticide use," emphasizes Ralf Schulz. 

Key role: Global comparability of data

A major challenge in global analysis is ensuring consistent data quality across countries. To assess and compare risks globally, data must be available from as many nations as possible. The study used commercial application data that met these requirements, covering the period 2013 to 2019, aligning with the reference period (2010–2020) established by the UN biodiversity resolution. "To ensure continuous and comprehensive monitoring, it is essential that all countriesregularly report updated annual data on agricultural pesticide use, broken down by active ingredient. This would enable real-time tracking of progress toward the targets set at the UN Biodiversity Conference," says Jakob Wolfram. 

The applied toxicity of pesticides has increased significantly

To calculate global applied toxicity, the study presents, for the first time, a comprehensive dataset of 625 pesticides. The dataset integrates data from seven major regulatory systems and covers the toxicity of eight organism groups used in pesticide approval processes. The results reveal a substantial increase in applied toxicity over the review period. "This rise is driven in part by higher pesticide amounts being applied – due to expanding farmland and intensified farming practices – and in part by the growing toxicity of the active ingredients themselves, particularly insecticides," says Ralf Schulz. The increases were particularly pronounced for land-dwelling insects, soil organisms, and fish. However, positive trends were also observed for aquatic invertebrates, pollinating insects, and terrestrial plants. Only two groups – aquatic plants and terrestrial vertebrates – showed declines. All major pesticide groups (herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides) contributed to the increase in applied toxicity, although only around 20 active ingredients were decisive for different animal and plant groups. According to the research team, these highly toxic substances should be prioritized for replacement with less toxic alternatives to better protect biodiversity. While case-specific solutions may be needed in some instances, the focus should be on phasing out the most harmful compounds.

Brazil, China, the USA, and India were the top contributors to global applied toxicity during the study period. In contrast, Nigeria showed comparatively low levels of applied toxicity. However, researchers warn this could change – even across Africa – as agricultural intensification accelerates and more toxic active ingredients are adopted. Globally, fruit, vegetables, corn, soybeans, cereals, and rice accounted for approximately 80% of total applied pesticide toxicity. "The interaction between cultivated land area and the types of crops grown is a key driver of applied toxicity and is thus another factor that can be adjusted in agricultural planning to achieve the goal of protecting biodiversity," emphasizes Jakob Wolfram. According to the research team, the trend of increasing applied toxicity, as calculated using comprehensive data, has probably continued. This is supported by data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which reports a further increase in global pesticide use since 2019.

Comprehensive rethinking is required

Without immediate action, only Chile is projected to meet the UN's 2030 target. While China, Japan, and Venezuela showed a downward trend in applied toxicity during the observation period, most other countries, including Germany, must reverse their current trajectory. To achieve the target, Germany and similar nations will need to reduce applied pesticide toxicity to levels seen more than 15 years ago: "This can likely only be achieved by shifting to less toxic active ingredients and expanding the transition from conventional to organic agriculture, which would also deliver broader benefits for global biodiversity," emphasizes Jakob Wolfram.

The study:

Wolfram, J., Bussen, D., Bub, S., Petschick, L. L., Herrmann, L. Z., & Schulz, R. (2026). "Increasing applied pesticide toxicity trends counteract the global reduction target to safeguard biodiversity." Science. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aea8602

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