Biodiversity: A Right to Protect Our Societies
Biodiversity is the cornerstone of healthy ecosystems — the silent enabler of clean water, resilient food systems, and climate stability. Yet despite its importance, biodiversity is often overlooked in laws and policies.
“Without biodiversity there is no clean water, no functional ecosystems and no real climate adaptation.” – (Hajar Yagkoubi)
On Tuesday, 26 August at 2:00 PM CEST, HR2W participated in a talk show event at SIWI’s World Water Week together with IUCN and the Water Research Commission (WRC). This session explored a central question: Should biodiversity itself be recognised as a human right?
The talk show was moderated by Hajar Yagkoubi and featured Alejandro Iza (International Union for Conservation of Nature), Amanda Loeffen (Human Right 2 Water), and Dr. Jennifer Molwantwa (South Africa Water Research Commission) as speakers. Drawing on their expertise, the discussion highlighted diverse perspectives on biodiversity, human rights, and development.
Why Elevate Biodiversity to a Right?
Biodiversity already appears in many international agreements and conventions, but its recognition remains scattered and fragmented. Amanda Loeffen explained:
“There is not one place where you can find the human rights aspects of biodiversity. It impacts many different things — especially access to food and water for vulnerable people — but it doesn’t get the same priority as other human rights do. We need to find a way to elevate its status.” – (Amanda Loeffen, HR2W)
Recognising biodiversity as a human right could transform it from an abstract environmental issue into a concrete entitlement for everyone, everywhere. Alejandro Iza argued that such recognition would help bring biodiversity closer to people worldwide:
This perspective shifts biodiversity from a distant conservation issue to a shared entitlement that every citizen can uphold and protect. It would also reinforce other human rights, as biodiversity lies at the heart of water security, food security, health, culture, and countless aspects of our societies.
The panelists agreed that recognising a Human Right to Biodiversity could be transformative because it could:
- Protect the foundation of clean water, food, and climate resilience.
- Elevate biodiversity to the same priority as other recognised human rights.
- Strengthen citizen engagement and collective action.
- Provide legal tools to safeguard ecosystems and species themselves.
How can we push for biodiversity as a right?
“We must never forget to talk about indigenous knowledge systems, the rural South Africa is under the leadership of traditional leaders and without having it documented, biodiversity is central and it is well protected, what is needed is education and awareness, making sure that we bring the community and make it centrally a part of the solution.” – (Jennifer Molwantwa, WRC)
The path forward must combine practical action with governance, underpinned by education, partnerships, and long-term planning. Pushing for a right to biodiversity will require strong collaborations across all levels of society.
Citizen science and community involvement are essential, ensuring the perspectives of all communities — especially the most vulnerable — are included. As Jennifer Molwantwa reminded us: “Implementation is not just about government or presidents. It has to be society in a holistic approach. Communities, traditional leaders, researchers — all must have a seat at the table” which essentially will help us monitor and hold accountable all parties.
Another way of pushing forward is through clarity in its definition. If biodiversity is to become a legal right, we need to demystify this complex concept. Alejandro Iza explained how one of the main obstacles of the protection of biodiversity is that people don’t understand what it is and what is it that they are protecting. People often don’t understand why its important to our society.
“Are we talking about nature, genes, species, ecosystems, conservation, restoration? Even experts sometimes use the word differently. Until we can define biodiversity in a clear and harmonised way, it will be difficult to take collective action.” – (Alejandro Iza, IUCN)
Biodiversity as a right holder
“Not only should people’s right to biodiversity be protected, but biodiversity itself — ecosystems and species — should be recognised as subjects of rights.” – (Alejandro Iza, IUCN)
Our panellists also explored how recognising biodiversity as a right is essential for the survival of our societies, but it must go beyond protecting it for human benefit alone. Nature itself deserves recognition as a right holder. Ecosystems and species must be seen as entities with the right to exist and thrive, just as people do.
Elevating biodiversity to the level of a human right — and recognising nature as a right holder — would transform our relationship with the living world. It would ground conservation in justice, ensure stronger protection for ecosystems, and secure the foundation of human wellbeing for generations to come.
