What do we do?

Several references to biodiversity-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, identifying the risks to human health from inaction, the need for mainstreaming the decision and topics in the health sector, or identifying health actors that can play a key role in the implementation of the decision.

In addition to the decisions, reference to biodiversity and health interlinkages has been captured in several documents produced by the CBD that provided information and guidance to Parties. Some examples include:

Connecting Global Priorities: Biodiversity and Health, A State of Knowledge Review (joint publication of World Health Organization and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity)

Guidance on integrating biodiversity considerations into One Health approaches

Biodiversity and Human Health

Executive Summary of the State of Knowledge Review: Connecting Global Priorities: Biodiversity and Human Health

Discussion Note for the Special Virtual Session on Biodiversity, One Health and the Response to COVID-19

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 analyse 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.