Biodiversity Integrated Assessment and Computation Tool (B-INTACT)

Biodiversity loss is accelerating at an unprecedented rate across the planet putting a great number of species on the brink of extinction. A decline in the plants, animals and micro-organisms threatens food security, sustainable development and the supply of vital ecosystem services. In order to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, there is an urgent need to take action to halt biodiversity loss and consequently ecosystem degradation. Since the introduction of the Aichi targets, released by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2010, the United Nations have been empowered with greater influence on decision-making impacting biodiversity. However, there was an urgent need for an easy-to-use tool to rapidly, yet effectively assess the impact on biodiversity posed by projects, programmes and policies.

The EX-ACT team from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has developed the Biodiversity Integrated Assessment and Computation Tool (B-INTACT). B-INTACT aims to (i) quantify the biodiversity impact of various investments at project and policy-level using globally recognized environmental assessment methodologies, (ii) provide decision-makers with a set of policy indicators to help make informed decisions on possible biodiversity risks, biodiversity loss and management practices; (iii) extend the scope of environmental assessments to capture biodiversity concerns, which are not accounted for in conventional carbon pricing; and (iv) support countries in accessing funds from international financial institutions and mechanisms to finance projects, programmes and policies.