This new UNEP report shows that bee colonies worldwide are under threat, with serious consequences for biodiversity and food security. It analyses possible answers to why the bee group, the most important pollinator worldwide, is declining and what are the possible mitigating measures and recommendations to avert such decline.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has released a report titled "Global Honey Bee Colony Disorders and Other Threats to Insect Pollinators," which shows that bee colonies worldwide are under threat, with serious consequences for biodiversity and food security. The report highlights the latest scientific findings on the role and status of populations of wild and commercially-manged honey bee colonies and analyses possible answers to why the bee group, the most important pollinator worldwide, is declining and what are the possible mitigating measures and recommendations to avert such decline. The report notes that habitat degradation, increased pathologies, invasive species, pollution, and the use of chemical pesticides are some of the drivers of such decline. In addition, climate change consequences, such as fluctuations in greening, flowering and aging periods, and an overall shortening of the growing season may hamper the livelihood of pollinators.