LocationsThe web of life: how local action in Belarus contributes to global biodiversity protection
May 22, 2026
Nature is a web of connections, where a seemingly small change can set far-reaching consequences in motion. The loss of a single species rarely remains an isolated event; it can trigger a chain reaction, disrupting ecological relationships, affecting other species, and weakening the resilience of entire ecosystems.
But nature responds to positive change as well. When species and habitats are protected, biodiversity flourishes, ecosystems become more resilient, and they are better able to sustain the natural processes that support life on Earth. Every action taken to protect nature contributes to a more sustainable future.
This idea is at the heart of the 2026 International Day for Biological Diversity theme: “Acting locally for global impact.”
From Protecting Species to Restoring Ecosystems
Belarus is home to 82 species of mammals, 343 species of birds, and more than 4,000 species of plants. Some of them are under threat and require special protection. In 2026, the Red Book of Belarus - the country’s official list of rare and endangered species – included 213 animals and 310 plants. Through its support to biodiversity conservation efforts, UNDP has contributed directly to the protection of 86 threatened species of flora and fauna.
Protecting individual species remains essential. However, on its own, it is rarely enough. In most cases, species decline is driven by the loss or degradation of the habitats on which they depend.
In Belarus, forests and wetlands form the backbone of the country’s natural heritage. As of 2025, forests covered 40.3% of the national territory, while wetlands and surface water ecosystems accounted for around 6%. Agricultural lands make up a share of the country’s landscape as well.
The key to conserving biodiversity lies in protecting and restoring ecosystems. The health of forests, wetlands and other natural habitats influences not only ecological resilience within Belarus but also across the wider region. These ecosystems regulate water cycles and groundwater levels, reduce the risks of droughts, floods and wildfires, protect soils from erosion, store carbon, and help mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Global Commitments, National Action
"Belarus is a country committed to the careful stewardship of nature and a clean environment." This vision is enshrined in the country’s National Sustainable Development Strategy through 2040. Belarus is a party to more than 20 key international environmental agreements, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
UNDP supports Belarus in translating these international commitments into practical action and in advancing modern approaches to natural resource management. Over the recent years, the partners have developed the draft National Action Programme to Combat Land Degradation, Belarus’ first National Adaptation Plan, and the Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategy to 2050. At the same time, the country continues to strengthen its climate monitoring and reporting systems, which are essential for assessing the effectiveness of environmental measures and advancing low-carbon solutions.
In 2026, Belarus adopted an updated National Biodiversity Strategy and a new National Action Plan for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity for 2026–2030. Developed with UNDP support, the strategy aligns the country’s conservation priorities with the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
With UNDP’s support, Belarus is also steadily strengthening its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. Under the country’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), approved in 2025, Belarus committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 42 per cent unconditionally and by up to 47 per cent with international support.
Restoring Peatlands and Wetlands in Belarus
Today, Belarus has around 190,000 hectares of degraded land. This represents not only the loss of valuable ecosystems, but also growing climate risks.
One of the key areas of cooperation between Belarus and UNDP is the restoration of degraded peatlands and wetlands whose natural water regimes have been disrupted. When wetlands are drained and peatlands are exploited, they lose their ability to retain water and store carbon, begin releasing greenhouse gases and become more vulnerable to fires.
To address these challenges, Belarus is restoring degraded peatland and wetland ecosystems across the country. With UNDP support, more than 50,000 hectares of peatlands and wetlands have already been restored, while approaches to their conservation and sustainable use continue to be strengthened.
Restoring wetlands helps reduce climate risks, conserve biodiversity, and restore the natural functions of ecosystems.
Building Forest Resilience in a Changing Climate
Globally, forests are among the most important ecosystems supporting biodiversity, providing habitat for more than 80% of terrestrial animal, plant and insect species.
In Belarus, forests cover nearly 10 million hectares. As climate change increases the risk of wildfires, strengthening forest resilience has become a priority. This means not only protecting forests, but also improving preparedness for fire prevention and rapid response.
For many years, UNDP has partnered with the Ministry of Forestry of Belarus to support modern approaches to forest management. Today, particular emphasis is placed on digital technologies, forest monitoring, and the development of early warning and response systems.
Since 2025, UNDP has supported the procurement of modern firefighting equipment for more than 300 forestry units across the country and strengthened the capacity of forestry professionals. Local communities also play an important role in forest protection through promoting a culture of fire safety, training for early fire detection, and engaging volunteers in wildfire prevention efforts.
Read more in the interview with the Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Belarus, Armen Martirosyan, ahead of the 2026 International Day of Forests: https://news.un.org/ru/story/2026/03/1467551
An Integrated Approach to Achieving SDG 15
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 15 — Life on Land — requires an integrated approach in which biodiversity conservation goes hand in hand with climate action and efforts to combat land degradation. Only by addressing these interconnected challenges together can countries strengthen ecosystems and achieve lasting results.
In this effort, UNDP remains a trusted partner of Belarus, supporting integrated solutions that advance nature conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development.