Humanitarian organisations have a role to play in protecting, conserving and restoring ecosystems, thereby creating significant co-benefits for staff and beneficiaries, both at headquarters and field levels.

Climate change and biodiversity are interlinked: the effects of climate change exacerbate risks to natural ecosystems, whilst loss of biodiversity and the destruction of natural habitats have negative effects on nature’s ability to adapt to the effects of climate change. Degraded eco-systems increase people’s exposure and vulnerability to hazards, have a negative impact on livelihoods, and increase threats to human health. The humanitarian sector has acknowledged the importance of biodiversity protection and has made a commitment to reduce its impact on it in both the Humanitarian Aid Donors’ Declaration96 and the Climate Charter.⁹⁷

Organisations can:

Conserve and restore biodiversity on their premises by creating refuge areas, feeding and breeding grounds and ensuring that there are areas that can be occupied by local flora and fauna.

Assess and reduce procurement practices that negatively affect biodiversity.
Food production, forestry, mining and energy production can contribute to changes in land and sea use and the overexploitation of natural resources, and they can involve harmful production and waste management practices.⁹⁸

Reduce the risk of biodiversity loss at field level.

• The activities of humanitarian organisations, especially in areas with limited waste and wastewater
  infrastructure can have a negative impact on biodiversity.

Enhance biodiversity and increase climate resilience at field level.

• Humanitarian organisations can go a step further and create positive biodiversity outcomes, with co-benefits for climate resilience and human well-being.

Raise awareness among staff and beneficiaries.

• Raising awareness about the benefits of protecting biodiversity will help to implement measures and make them more sustainable.