The triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution severely impact the effective enjoyment of a wide range of human rights, including the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

The triple planetary crisis threatens to derail efforts to eradicate poverty and makes peacebuilding even more difficult, as environmental degradation drives instability, displacement and conflict.

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the fundamental connections between human, animal, and ecosystem health and how this underpins global peace and the stability of societies. It has further exacerbated existing inequalities with impacts falling most heavily on people in vulnerable situations.

Indigenous peoples and local communities play an outsized role in the governance, conservation and sustainable use of the world’s lands and biodiversity. It is estimated that potential indigenous community conserved areas cover more than 21% of the world’s land, and over one-fifth of the extent of the world’s terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas. Their voices must be heeded, their knowledge rewarded, and their rights respected.

The importance of women and girls, and youth as key agents of change must also be recognized. The people and communities most affected by environmental degradation must have a seat at the decision-making table.