Co-Benefits From Species-Level Conservation Contribute to Multilateral Environmental Agreement Targets

Abstract

Conservation investments do not operate within a zero-sum paradigm, but instead provide opportunities for co-benefits across sustainable development and conservation goals. Recognizing the interconnectedness of conservation efforts within socioenvironmental systems can amplify support for conservation actions, ultimately creating additional co-benefits across the social, ecological, and economic sectors. As an ecologically diverse taxonomic group with broad conservation needs, we explore how conserving bats contributes to both biodiversity and society's economic and social needs. We align bat conservation goals with Global Biodiversity Framework targets and explore their contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The benefits of targeted bat conservation actions extend beyond species-level conservation goals and the preservation of bat-derived ecosystem services, encompassing broader contributions to global sustainability goals. Our findings underscore the potential for conservation investments to generate positive outcomes across multiple sectors, fostering sustainability and resilience within socioenvironmental systems.