What do we do?
Several references to biodiversity and health interlinkages have been incorporated within CBD decisions since 1993 when the Convention came into force. These references include recognizing distinct biodiversity and health interlinkages, recognizing that the health of the environment and the health of all species are interconnected and interdependent, identifying the risks to human and animal health from inaction, the need for mainstreaming the decision and topics in the health sector, and recognizing that the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework will contribute to the improvement of health and well-being, including physical and mental health, by addressing drivers of biodiversity loss, which are often also drivers of ill health.
In addition to the decisions, reference to biodiversity and health interlinkages has been captured in several documents produced under the CBD that provided information and guidance to Parties. Some examples include:
Guidance on integrating biodiversity considerations into One Health approaches
The fifth edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO-5) Versions in languages other than English can be downloaded here: https://www.cbd.int/gbo5
More recently, with the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, where biodiversity and health interlinkages are recognized as one of the considerations for implementation of the Framework, an opportunity arises to analyze how these interlinkages could be considered throughout the implementation of the various targets of the Framework. In this respect, a Global Action Plan on biodiversity and health interlinkages was produced under the CBD and adopted at COP 16.
More information about this plan can be found here