UN Adopts Landmark Plan Linking Biodiversity and Human Health by 2030
A groundbreaking global plan, the Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health, has been adopted at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15). This plan, part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) roadmap, acknowledges the crucial role of animal welfare in reducing zoonotic risks and links biodiversity directly to human health. As of April 2025, 38 countries have signed the relevant global biodiversity agreement, with Liechtenstein already implementing it through its Biodiversity Action Plan 2030+, and Germany actively working on national measures supporting these global frameworks.
The plan endorses the One Health approach, recognizing the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health. It calls on governments to promote improved standards of animal welfare in farming systems to reduce communicable disease risk and prevent antimicrobial resistance. This includes incorporating World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) standards for animal health and welfare, which can help reduce AMR risk and disease emergence in farm animals.
The exploitation of wild animals in the wildlife trade poses a significant risk for zoonotic disease emergence, transmission, and spillover. To mitigate this, the plan recommends using positive lists to limit commercially used species, thereby reducing health, safety, sustainability, and welfare risks in the wildlife trade. Many countries are currently preparing their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), and aligning them with the plan's recommendations is crucial for successful implementation. Cities can also maximize health, biodiversity, and climate benefits by integrating wild animal welfare into urban planning, such as expanding green infrastructure and using wildlife-friendly materials.
The world stands at a tipping point, and implementing this plan offers an opportunity to build a healthier future for humans, animals, and ecosystems together. By promoting animal welfare, reducing zoonotic risks, and aligning national strategies with the Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health, we can strive towards a more sustainable and healthier world.
