Arising from the Nature is Good Medicine Workshop on 5 September 2021, we call on IUCN and its Members to recognize the irreplaceable potential of nature-derived health services to individuals and society and to actively promote and support partnerships with the health sector and other key partners to make access to nature and its benefits available to all.
Resolution 64 from the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress titled Strengthening cross sector partnerships to recognize the contributions of nature to health, well-being and quality of life welcomed IUCN’s leadership in recognizing and communicating the initiatives and co-benefits from connecting nature and human health and well-being and integrating these initiatives as part of national and international policies regarding public health and ‘Nature-based Solutions’.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes targets to address non- communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health, and to provide safe, inclusive, and accessible green and public spaces, and recognizes in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 the importance of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
The Nature is Good Medicine Workshop calls for the following actions:
- Share best available knowledge to raise awareness
- Develop cross-sector policy frameworks
- Mainstream opportunities for positive health and well-being through nature connection
- Provide more equitable and inclusive access to protected and conserved areas
- Support integrated nature-culture-health models through the establishment of territories and areas conserved by Indigenous Peoples and local communities (ICCAs),