At the 15th United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15), countries committed to reducing pesticide risks by 50 % by 2030. This ambitious goal raises significant questions about current pesticide use and its impact on global biodiversity.
Researchers have examined global trends in Total Applied Toxicity (TAT) across multiple species groups. Their findings, published in the journal Science, show an increase in TAT, mainly driven by a small number of widely used pesticides. This highlights the need for less toxic alternatives and the adoption of sustainable farming practices to mitigate ecological harm.
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Assessing Ecological Risks: The Role of TAT
Pesticides are crucial for modern agriculture, improving crop yields and controlling pests. However, their widespread use raises serious concerns about ecological impacts. To better assess these risks, researchers utilize TAT, which measures the cumulative toxicity of pesticides by combining the amount applied with their ecotoxicological effects on non-target species, including pollinators and aquatic organisms. This metric provides a more comprehensive evaluation of environmental risk than usage data alone.
The study indicates that global TAT levels are increasing, particularly in major agricultural regions. This rise is largely driven by reliance on a limited number of highly toxic pesticides, intensifying pressures on biodiversity affected by habitat loss and climate change.
Methodology: Analyzing Trends in TAT
Researchers comprehensively analyzed trends in TAT from 2013 to 2019 using data from 625 agricultural pesticides across eight species groups worldwide. The assessment combined two key inputs: the annual mass of pesticide active ingredients applied in each country and the toxicity of these substances to non-target species.
TAT was calculated by weighting each pesticide’s applied mass by its ecotoxicological impact. Toxicity values were derived from regulatory threshold levels (RTLs) issued by multiple regulatory authorities, thereby ensuring a standardized dataset. This method provided a more accurate measure of ecological risk than pesticide usage alone.
The analysis showed that roughly 20 pesticides accounted for more than 90 % of TAT for each species group, indicating that ecological risk is heavily concentrated among a small number of widely used chemicals. The study also assessed whether countries are on track to meet the biodiversity target of reducing pesticide risks, identifying regions where toxicity levels continue to rise and where immediate policy intervention may be needed.
Key Findings: Impacts on Species and Regions
TAT increased for six of the eight analyzed species groups. Terrestrial arthropods experienced the sharpest rise, with an average annual increase of approximately 6.4 %, followed by soil organisms (4.6 %) and fish (4.4 %). These trends indicate growing ecological pressure on species that play key roles in ecosystem stability and agricultural productivity.
Major crop categories, including fruits, vegetables, maize, soybeans, and rice, accounted for approximately 76 % to 83 % of global TAT. Four countries, including China, Brazil, the United States, and India, together accounted for 53 % to 68 % of total global applied toxicity. These findings highlight the concentrated nature of pesticide impacts in major agricultural regions.
When assessing progress toward the United Nations target of reducing pesticide risks by 50 % by 2030, researchers demonstrated that of the 65 countries evaluated, Chile was the only one on track to meet the goal. Most countries showed stable or increasing toxicity trends, suggesting that current agricultural practices are insufficient to reverse biodiversity decline.
Policy Implications: Toward Sustainable Practices
This research has significant implications for policymakers and agricultural stakeholders by providing clear, data-driven evidence to guide regulatory action. Identifying the pesticides that contribute most to TAT enables targeted measures to phase out highly harmful substances. Reducing the use of pesticide groups such as neonicotinoids and pyrethroids could significantly lower ecological risk. The study highlights the need for stronger monitoring systems and greater transparency in pesticide usage and toxicity data, allowing countries to track progress toward biodiversity targets and adjust policies accordingly.
The findings support a transition toward more sustainable farming practices. Approaches such as integrated pest management (IPM), organic farming, and biological control can reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides while maintaining agricultural productivity. Emerging technologies, including targeted biological and molecular-based pest control methods, offer additional pathways to minimize environmental harm.
A Call for Coordinated Action
This research highlights the challenge of balancing agricultural productivity with environmental sustainability. The continued rise in TAT demonstrates that current pesticide practices pose serious risks to biodiversity and ecosystem stability.
The findings emphasize the urgent need for coordinated action to meet international biodiversity commitments, including the target of reducing pesticide risks by 50 % by 2030. Achieving this goal requires informed regulatory policies, stronger monitoring systems, and a transition toward less toxic alternatives and sustainable agricultural practices.
Collaborative efforts among governments, researchers, and agricultural stakeholders are essential to reverse current trends and promote resilient ecosystems. Overall, this study provides a foundation for policy reform and future research, supporting a shift toward agricultural systems that protect biodiversity while sustaining food production.
Journal Reference
Wolfram, J., et al. (2026). Increasing applied pesticide toxicity trends counteract the global reduction target to safeguard biodiversity. Science, Vol 391, Issue 6785, pp.616-621. DOI: 10.1126/science.aea860, https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aea8602
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