States must fulfil human rights obligations in protecting biodiversity

On March 1, ahead of World Wildlife Day on March 3, the Special Rapporteur urged governments to fulfil their human rights obligations to protect the world’s irreplaceable plants and animals.  He stated:  “The rapid loss of biological diversity around the world should be setting off alarm bells.  We are well on our way to the sixth global extinction of species in the history of the planet, and States are still failing to halt the main drivers of biodiversity loss, including habitat destruction, poaching and climate change. What is less well understood is that the loss of biodiversity undermines the enjoyment of a wide range of human rights, including rights to life, health, food and water.”  For the full text of the statement, click here.