Cambridge/Gland, 25 September 2008 – BirdLife International reports that for the first time, the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have adopted measures tracking the state of biodiversity, including monitoring the extinction risk of species using the IUCN Red List. Previously, the seventh Millennium Development Goal ‘to ensure environmental sustainability’ did not include any mention of biodiversity or the need to save species as a critical contribution to human development and peoples livelihoods.

For more information please visit:

• BirdLife International Announcement: BirdLife’s pioneering approach adopted by Millennium Development Goals (25 September 2008)
• The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ 2008
• UN Millennium Development Goals: GOAL 7:ENSURE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY