3 March is World Wildlife Day

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The World Wildlife Day was established on 20 December 2013 by the United Nations General Assembly and aims to raise awareness among the general public about the importance of nature and biodiversity. The choice of 3 March as the official date is no coincidence: it coincides with the anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), signed in 1973. This treaty is one of the most important legal instruments for the protection of biodiversity, as it regulates trade in endangered species and promotes sustainable practices on a global level.

The term 'nature' has ancient origins: it derives from the Latin natura, meaning 'that which is about to be born', and is a translation of the Greek physis (φύσις), referring to the physical world and natural processes. Nature comprises the totality of living beings, both animal and plant, and inanimate elements that follow specific laws and processes. It is therefore not limited to flora and fauna, but also includes meteorological and geological phenomena and the dynamics that govern our planet. The concept of nature is closely related to that of the environment. Natural environments include ecosystems such as forests, deserts, oceans and mountains, i.e. places not artificially created by humans. However, in a world increasingly altered by human activities, few pristine spaces exist. We often also call natural landscapes where human intervention has been limited and where biodiversity manages to maintain a certain balance.

Each year, World Wildlife Day has a specific theme. For 2025, the theme will be "Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet". This edition will focus on the crucial role of wildlife and biodiversity conservation finance, promoting sustainable and innovative investments to protect the planet. Currently, more than half of global GDP is directly dependent on nature, and the diversity loss represents a significant economic threat. According to the United Nations, the funding gap for conservation is still huge: to date, some USD 143 billion is invested annually, but at least USD 824 billion would be needed to protect endangered ecosystems and species. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework has set the goal of mobilising at least USD 200 billion per year for biodiversity by 2030 and eliminating environmentally harmful subsidies.

Preserving nature is crucial not only for the survival of animal and plant species, but also for human well-being. Natural ecosystems provide essential services, such as purifying air and water, regulating the climate, protecting against natural disasters, producing food and medicine, as well as being a source of inspiration and recreation. However, human intervention and urbanisation have reduced natural spaces and threatened biodiversity. The destruction of habitats, the climate change, pollution and illegal wildlife trade are some of the main causes of this loss. The World Nature Day therefore invites us to reflect on the urgency of a change that requires joint action by citizens, businesses and institutions: it is crucial to recognise that the health of our planet is the basis of our very existence.

The protection of nature is therefore a collective responsibility that requires the commitment of everyone: from individuals to local authorities, from international organisations to businesses. Every level of society has a fundamental role to play in the conservation of ecosystems, in safeguarding biodiversity and in combating climate change. Nature protection is not only about prevention or restoration, but a profound change in the vision of our relationship with the environment. A shared commitment that must start from the awareness that human intervention has the power to generate enormous damage, but also the capacity to repair and regenerate what has been compromised.