Major Group: Science & Technology
Biodiversity and SDGs
Statement made by DIVERSITAS (international programme of biodiversity science) and ICSU
(International Council for Science) during the co-Chair meeting
8th session of Open Working Group on SDGs, 4rd February 2014, New York
Thank you Mr co-Chair
Biodiversity underpins Earth’s "life support systems" for people, now and in the
future, through direct and indirect benefits such as good health, food, water, energy,
climate regulation.
I will only give one example, but you will find additional ones and related potential
targets in the paper prepared by DIVERSITAS and ICSU, which is posted on the
website. Biodiversity contributes to human health in different ways:
1) It provides genetic resources necessary to develop antibiotics, vaccines and
biotechnological solutions for modern and traditional medicine;
2) Maintaining biodiversity-rich habitats protects humans from being exposed
to diseases carried by wildlife; and
3) Indirect health-supporting benefits of biodiversity are related to food
security and nutrition or provision of clean water.
In addition, biodiversity provides adaptive capacity supporting current and future
generations in the face of global changes.
The Science & Technology Community recommends the definition of biodiversityrelated
targets for:
1) The determinants of human well-being such as health, secure supplies of
food and freshwater;
2) Natural resource governance systems and institutions to ensure equitable
and sustainable management of biodiversity and its benefits for people; and
3) The conservation of intrinsic value of biodiversity and its role in the
maintenance of healthy and productive ecosystems.
Thank you for your attention
Given by Dr Anne-Hélène Prieur-Richard, Acting Executive Director, DIVERSITAS
Statement made by DIVERSITAS (international programme of biodiversity science) and ICSU
(International Council for Science) during the co-Chair meeting
8th session of Open Working Group on SDGs, 4rd February 2014, New York
Thank you Mr co-Chair
Biodiversity underpins Earth’s "life support systems" for people, now and in the
future, through direct and indirect benefits such as good health, food, water, energy,
climate regulation.
I will only give one example, but you will find additional ones and related potential
targets in the paper prepared by DIVERSITAS and ICSU, which is posted on the
website. Biodiversity contributes to human health in different ways:
1) It provides genetic resources necessary to develop antibiotics, vaccines and
biotechnological solutions for modern and traditional medicine;
2) Maintaining biodiversity-rich habitats protects humans from being exposed
to diseases carried by wildlife; and
3) Indirect health-supporting benefits of biodiversity are related to food
security and nutrition or provision of clean water.
In addition, biodiversity provides adaptive capacity supporting current and future
generations in the face of global changes.
The Science & Technology Community recommends the definition of biodiversityrelated
targets for:
1) The determinants of human well-being such as health, secure supplies of
food and freshwater;
2) Natural resource governance systems and institutions to ensure equitable
and sustainable management of biodiversity and its benefits for people; and
3) The conservation of intrinsic value of biodiversity and its role in the
maintenance of healthy and productive ecosystems.
Thank you for your attention
Given by Dr Anne-Hélène Prieur-Richard, Acting Executive Director, DIVERSITAS