In this horizon scan we highlight 15 emerging issues of potential relevance to global conservation in 2020. Seven relate to potentially extensive changes in vegetation or ecological systems. These changes are either relatively new, for example conversion of kelp forests to simpler macroalgal systems, or may occur in the future, for example as a result of the derivation of nanocelluose from wood or the rapid expansion of small hydropower schemes. Other topics highlight potential changes in national legislation that may have global effect on international agreements. Our panel of 23 scientists and practitioners selected these using a modified version of the Delphi technique from a long-list of 89 potential topics.

Our 12th annual horizon scan identified 15 emerging issues of concern for global biodiversity conservation.A panel of 25 scientists and practitioners submitted a total of 97 topics that were ranked using a Delphi-style technique according to novelty and likelihood of impact on biodiversity conservation.The top 38 issues were discussed at an online meeting held in September 2020 during which issues were ranked according to the same criteria.Six of the 15 issues primarily affect marine or coastal ecosystems and seven are related to human and ecosystem-level responses to anthropogenic climate change.Other emerging issues include complete coverage of Indian states for sustainable farming and the potential for use of selfhealing building materials.

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