Protecting nature, vital for the well-being of people and the planet

At a time when the planet is in crisis, WWF calls on countries, companies and communities of Latin America and the Caribbean to value the essential services nature provides to people and the environment, and commit to investing greater resources for strengthening governance and effectively managing biodiversity within protected and conserved areas, and recognizing the rights of local communities and indigenous peoples.

WWF’s statement comes ahead of the III IUCN Latin American and Caribbean Congress of Protected Areas, being held in Lima, Peru and bringing together government authorities, multilateral organizations, community leaders and entrepreneurs.

“This Congress is crucial because it will shape commitments to reduce the pressures that exist in some of the planet’s most vital natural places, such as deforestation and mining pollution. If this deterioration continues, the global biodiversity crisis will accelerate and human well-being could be significantly jeopardized,” said Roberto Troya, WWF Latin America and Caribbean Regional Director.

The Lima Declaration, expected to capture the outcome of the meeting, must recognize the role protected and conserved areas can play as fundamental land-use and planning tools, as well as creating inter-institutional spaces to promote sustainable development, giving value to the provision of ecosystem services – such as clean air, water, etc.– and in meeting global climate goals. WWF is particularly calling for increased participation of indigenous communities and peoples in natural resource management in such areas recognizing the critical role they play in protecting cultural values ​​and providing resources we all depend on.

“Indigenous Peoples are important guardians of biodiversity and can directly impact its conservation. Governments and protected area authorities must incorporate their traditional use and knowledge of resources, land tenure and early warning and control systems into public policy and ensure their voices – and representation – is supported, strengthened and empowered,” added Mariana Ferreira, Science Manager at WWF-Brazil.

These objectives also contribute to the New Deal for Nature and People that WWF is urgently calling for to mobilize global action to address our interrelated climate and nature crises while promoting sustainable development. With key international decisions scheduled to take place next year, 2020 presents an unmissable opportunity to secure a New Deal for Nature and People which helps end species extinction, reduce the ecological footprint of production and consumption by half, and protect and conserve 30% of land, freshwater and ocean areas and sustainably manage an additional 20%. In this context, protected landscapes and seascapes can be an effective instrument to protect essential biodiversity for all and promote nature-based solutions to the climate crisis while also helping ensure the well-being of people and sustainable development.

Original source: WWF
Published on 14 October 2019