Plant-Pollinator Interactions and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Pollinators are fundamental to the health of natural ecosystems and human societies — yet their importance is often underestimated. This 90-minute webinar explores what plant–pollinator interactions are, why they matter to everyday life, and how protecting them is essential to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Designed for a broad audience, the session connects global challenges such as food security, human health, sustainable cities, climate change, and biodiversity loss to the pollination systems that support them. It highlights pollinators as a “hidden workforce” underpinning agriculture, livelihoods, and resilient ecosystems worldwide.

During this webinar, participants will explore:

• Why Pollinators Matter for Sustainable Development: An introduction to how pollinators underpin hunger, health, livelihoods, and ecosystems by acting as a"hidden workforce" supporting sustainable development.
• Zero Hunger (SDG 2) — How Pollinators Shape the Global Food System (SDG 2): How pollinators contribute to crop yields and food security, and what their decline means for farmers, global supply chains, and the stability of food production.
• Healthier People (SDG 3), Cities (SDG 11), and Consumption through Pollinator-Friendly Choices (SDG 12): Links between pollinator-dependent foods and human nutrition, the benefits of pollinator-friendly urban green spaces, and how consumer and supply-chain choices can reduce pressures on pollinators.
• Climate Change (SDG 13) and Life on Land (SDG 15)— Pollinators in a Changing World: How climate change affects pollinators and plants, and why protecting pollinator habitats strengthens climate resilience and supports biodiversity targets.
• Partnerships and Community Action (SDG 17) — Working Together for Pollinators: The role of partnerships — from governments and businesses to farmers, schools, and communities — in reversing pollinator declines and supporting sustainable development.

Whether you’re a student, ecologist, conservation practitioner, sustainability professional, policy maker, or simply interested in nature and food systems, this webinar will provide a clear understanding of how pollinators support the UN Sustainable Development Goals and what actions can help create a more pollinator-positive future.

The 90-minute event will consist of a 1-hour presentation followed by a live Q&A with the tutor, using questions submitted by participants.

The presentations will be recorded and shared with those who booked alongside Q&A transcripts and relevant links following the event via our online learning platform.

Biodiversity Specialist: Prof Jeff Ollerton

Professor Jeff Ollerton is a consulting ecological scientist and author, with more than 30 years' experience studying pollinators and their flowers. He is the author of 'Pollinators & Pollination: Nature and Society' (Pelagic 2021) and 'Birds & Flowers: A 50 Million Year Relationship' (Pelagic 2024). Jeff is also a visiting Professor at the University of Northampton (UK) and the Kunming Institute of Botany (China).

Check out Jeff's previous work with the Biological Recording Company:

1. entoLIVE presentation: Biodiversity Net Gain: What Could BNG Mean For Pollinators?
2. Online course: Surveying For Pollinators

Skills For Ecology Webinars

Our Skills For Ecology webinars focus on technical skills useful in ecology and conservation roles, such as use of technology, field surveying and practical conservation skills.

• Check out upcoming Skills For Ecology webinars: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/training-webinars-4423333
• Catch up with previous webinars through our Skills For Ecology online courses: https://courses.biologicalrecording.co.uk/collections/skills-for-ecology