Future-proofing the emergency recovery plan for freshwater biodiversity

Freshwater biodiversity loss is accelerating globally, but humanity can change this trajector y through actions that enable recovery. To be successful, these actions require coordination and planning at a global scale. The Emergenc y Recove r y Plan for global freshwater biodiversity aims to reduce the risk for freshwater biodiversity loss through six priority actions: (1) acceler-ate implementation of environmental flows; (2) improve water quality to sustain aquatic life; (3) protect and restore critical habitats; (4) manage exploitation of freshwater species and riverine aggregates; (5) prevent and control nonnative species in-vasions in freshwater habitats; and (6) safeguard and restore freshwater connectivity. These actions can be implemented using future-proofing approaches that anticipate future risks (e.g., emerging pollutants, new invaders, and synergistic effects) and minimize likely stressors to make conservation of freshwater biodiversity more resilient to climate change and other global environmental challenges. While uncertainty with respect to past observations is not a new concer n for freshwater biodiver-sity, future-proofing has the distinction of accounting for the uncertainty of futu r e conditions that have no historical baseline. The level of uncertainty with respect to future conditions is unprecedented. Future-proofing of the Emergenc y Recover y Plan for freshwater biodiversity will require anticipating futu r e changes and developing and implementing actions to address those futu r e changes. Here, we showcase future-proofing approaches likely to be successful using local case studies and examples. Ensuring that response options with i n the Emergenc y Recover y Plan ar e future-proofed wi l l provide decision makers with science-informed choices, even in the face of uncertain and potentially new future conditions. We are at an inflection point for global freshwater biodiversity loss; learning from defeats and successes can support improved actions toward a sustainable future.