This has been a difficult year for humanity and our hearts go out to all who have been severely affected by the pandemic. Despite the restrictions caused by the virus, thanks to our supporters and the smart use of technology, we were able to make 2020 our most successful year so far. 

World Population Day 2019 (pre-Covid) manifested PM’s global reach with events held in New York, Lagos and London. For 2020, despite all travel being curtailed, our live online panel discussion brought together panellists from Africa, America, India and the UK with participants from around the world.

We were delighted to see our patrons Sir David Attenborough and Chris Packham present major BBC and Netflix programmes addressing population challenges and solutions (see below).

Our message is cutting through, with media coverage achieved in 17 nations, more than 11,000 people from over 25 countries taking part in our online campaign actions, and our website engaging 850,000 visitors from 230 nations.

Many thanks to you, as one of our supporters. It is a huge boost to all of us in the team to know that a growing body of people understand and back us in taking up the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

After everything we’ve faced this year it can be difficult to believe in a future where humans can thrive in balance with nature, but if you feel able to at this time, becoming a member will help make it possible. And don’t forget to enter our prize competition to win a signed copy of Chris Packham's new book Back to Nature – the perfect reminder of our essential connection to Earth for the coming year.

With all best wishes for as good and safe holidays as possible,

- Robin Maynard, Director, Population Matters

As 2020 draws to a close, humanity is reflecting on a particularly difficult year. The slow but sure roll-out of COVID-19 vaccination programmes presents a light at the end of the tunnel, yet new pandemics are just around the corner unless we confront our broken relationship with nature.

The (virtual) UN Climate Ambition Summit 2020 took place on 12 December. With targets being missed and the obvious link between rising population and rising emissions, we ask why much-needed, positive solutions are still being left off the international agenda.

With the pandemic ruling out a physical event to mark our most important day of the year, World Population Day (11 July), we held an online panel discussion with environment, development and reproductive rights experts from 3 different continents and accessible to viewers around the world. This year's topic was the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and we also produced a comprehensive report and a short informative video on how empowering population solutions are vital to their achievement.

Our wonderful patrons were busy raising awareness of the population issue this year. The highlights included the release of Chris Packham's excellent BBC documentary 7.7 Billion People And Counting, as well as Sir David Attenborough's Netflix documentary A Life On Our Planet, which reached millions of viewers with its strong population message. We were also honoured to welcome wildlife filmmaker Gordon Buchanan among our patrons.

Thanks to its generous supporters, and despite the challenges faced during 2020, our Empower To Plan (E2P) programme has been able to raise close to £21,000 so far this year, across six projects and two continents. Two of our live projects, Family Medical Point in Uganda, and You Before Two based in Nottinghamshire, are close to reaching their targets. Can you help fund their vital on-the-ground work by giving a small gift?