#### Biodiversity and Health: an Urgent Issue The 28th issue of FACTS Reports, produced in partnership with the AXA Fund for Human Progress and Sanofi, examines the **profound connections between biodiversity and human health**. With the current rate of species extinction estimated to be 10 to 100 times higher than that of the five previous mass extinctions, this issue uses an interdisciplinary approach to explore how the degradation of the natural world is a major determinant of our health and, conversely, how the preservation of biodiversity can become a powerful tool for protecting public health. To address these challenges, this issue proposes a series of concrete solutions. Leverage points such as agroecology, ecosystem restoration, nature restoration financing, and citizen mobilization are explored to halt the erosion of biodiversity and, in doing so, protect public health. The report revisits the **One Health** approach, which views human, animal, and environmental health as inseparable. ### Explore: - [The introduction](https://www.institut.veolia.org/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2026/09/Introduction_FACTS_28_GB_J.D%27Astorg_S.Bouttier_Stref_N.Renard.pdf), by **Julia d'Astorg** (Director of the Science & Nature Departments at the AXA Fund for Human Progress), **Sandrine Bouttier-Stref** (Director of CSR at the Sanofi Group), and **Nicolas Renard** (Executive Director of the Veolia Institute) - [The Foreword](https://www.institut.veolia.org/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2026/09/Foreword_FACTS_28_GB_H.Fineberg.pdf), “Biodiversity and Human Health: A Vital but Underestimated Link,” by **Harvey V. Fineberg**, Professor Emeritus of Health Policy and Management at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Member of the Veolia Institute’s Foresight Committee - [An analysis](https://www.institut.veolia.org/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2026/09/Interview_FACTS_28_GB_H.Fineberg.pdf): An interview with **Harvey V. Fineberg** on the global dynamics that are redefining the links between biodiversity and health - [A Conclusion](https://www.institut.veolia.org/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2026/09/Conclusion_FACTS_28_GB_C.Baecher.pdf), by **Cédric Baecher**, Partner at Wavestone. ![cover of the facts report biodiversity and health](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/default/public/image/2026/09/couv%20biodiv%20ENG-1.png.webp?itok=o9HdaDpH) [PDF Full report Biodiversity and Health (17.1 MB) ](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2026/09/Full_report_BIODIVERSITY_AND_HEALTH_28_2026_GB_2.pdf) ### 1. Biodiversity and Health: a Vital Alliance Achim Steiner, former Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, describes our relationship to the living world in these terms: “Across cultures, humans inherently value nature. The magic of seeing fireflies flickering long into the night is immense. We draw energy and nutrients from nature. We find sources of food, medicine, livelihoods, and innovation in nature. Our well-being fundamentally depends on nature.” Over and above the beauty of the natural world that enchants us and the diversity of species that fascinates us, it is important that we acknowledge more explicitly our structural dependency on biodiversity: it is a necessary condition for our existence, to the extent that preserving our societies is inextricably tied to preserving the living world. [ ![image coline jaworski](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/08/DSC_0163.JPG.webp?itok=S89mOb9z) ](/en/biodiversity-springboard-healthy-sustainable-diet "Biodiversity: The Springboard for a Healthy, Sustainable Diet") A vital alliance [Biodiversity: The Springboard for a Healthy, Sustainable Diet](/en/biodiversity-springboard-healthy-sustainable-diet "Biodiversity: The Springboard for a Healthy, Sustainable Diet") Coline Jaworski Independent researcher and expert in agroecology [Read more](/en/biodiversity-springboard-healthy-sustainable-diet "Read more") [ ![Structures fongiques mycorhiziennes arbusculaires](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/08/Figure1_AMF.jpg.webp?itok=HU3bujl0) ](/en/fungal-diversity-bridging-soil-climate-and-people "Fungal Diversity Bridging Soil, Climate, and People") A vital alliance [Fungal Diversity Bridging Soil, Climate, and People](/en/fungal-diversity-bridging-soil-climate-and-people "Fungal Diversity Bridging Soil, Climate, and People") Adriana Morrell Scientific Lead, Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Business, Arts and Sciences, Lethbridge Polytechnic, Alberta, Canada Dale Pulvermacher Research Assistant / Student Technician, Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Business, Arts and Sciences, Lethbridge Polytechnic, Alberta, Canada [Read more](/en/fungal-diversity-bridging-soil-climate-and-people "Read more") [ ![Microscope microbiote intestinal](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/08/shutterstock_2181468277.jpg.webp?itok=b5baFA-F) ](/en/alterations-human-intestinal-microbiota-caused-modern-lifestyles-health-threats-and-emergence "Alterations to Human Intestinal Microbiota Caused by Modern Lifestyles: Health Threats and the Emergence of Microbial Medicine ") A vital alliance [Alterations to Human Intestinal Microbiota Caused by Modern Lifestyles: Health Threats and the Emergence of Microbial Medicine ](/en/alterations-human-intestinal-microbiota-caused-modern-lifestyles-health-threats-and-emergence "Alterations to Human Intestinal Microbiota Caused by Modern Lifestyles: Health Threats and the Emergence of Microbial Medicine ") Philippe J. Sansonetti Professor emeritus at the Pasteur Institute and Collège de France [Read more](/en/alterations-human-intestinal-microbiota-caused-modern-lifestyles-health-threats-and-emergence "Read more") [ ![Microscope microbiote intestinal](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/08/Bear%20in%20CT%20scan%201.jpg.webp?itok=hf3UFRHU) ](/en/nature-inspired-healing-the-role-of-biomimicry-in-modern-medicine "Nature-Inspired Healing: The Role of Biomimicry in Modern Medicine") A vital alliance [Nature-Inspired Healing: The Role of Biomimicry in Modern Medicine](/en/nature-inspired-healing-the-role-of-biomimicry-in-modern-medicine "Nature-Inspired Healing: The Role of Biomimicry in Modern Medicine") Peter Stenvinkel Professor of nephrology at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm [Read more](/en/nature-inspired-healing-the-role-of-biomimicry-in-modern-medicine "Read more") ### 2. The Health Costs of Biodiversity Loss The Strategic Plan for Biological Diversity 2011-2020 and Aichi Biodiversity Targets formulated in 2010 by the Convention on Biological Diversity were intended to lay the groundwork for international action to protect ecosystems vital to human health. The failure of these targets, particularly target 14 on restoring and protecting ecosystems that contribute to health, access to water and well-being, underscores our collective inability to stem the decline of these fundamental ecological services. Continuing along the same trajectory leads to on-going reductions in the ability of ecosystems to provide these services, with disproportionate impacts on economically disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, confirming that biodiversity loss is a major structural determinant for human health, over and above the environmental issues it raises. [ ![Microplastiques - image veolia](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/09/gettyimages-2191203025.jpg.webp?itok=4N5A5fzV) ](/en/microplastics-innovation-biodiversity-risk "Microplastics: From Innovation to Biodiversity Risk") The health costs of biodiversity loss [Microplastics: From Innovation to Biodiversity Risk](/en/microplastics-innovation-biodiversity-risk "Microplastics: From Innovation to Biodiversity Risk") Dr. Saija Saarni Associate Professor of applied environmental geology at the University of Turku, Finland [Read more](/en/microplastics-innovation-biodiversity-risk "Read more") [ ![One Health World](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/08/One%20Health%20World_0.jpg.webp?itok=d7jBBPJN) ](/en/antimicrobial-resistance-global-health-challenge "Antimicrobial Resistance: A Global Health Challenge") The health costs of biodiversity loss [Antimicrobial Resistance: A Global Health Challenge](/en/antimicrobial-resistance-global-health-challenge "Antimicrobial Resistance: A Global Health Challenge") Marie-Cécile Ploy Professor of Microbiology at the University of Limoges and Head of the Bacteriology, Virology and Hygiene Department at Limoges Teaching Hospital [Read more](/en/antimicrobial-resistance-global-health-challenge "Read more") [ ![mercure poissons](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/08/IMG_7319.jpg.webp?itok=ZYrUZZkD) ](/en/cold-mercury-is-hot-topic "Cold Mercury is a Hot Topic") The health costs of biodiversity loss [Cold Mercury is a Hot Topic](/en/cold-mercury-is-hot-topic "Cold Mercury is a Hot Topic") Lars-Eric Heimbürger-Boavida Chemical oceanographer working for the CNRS at the Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography, Aix-Marseille-University [Read more](/en/cold-mercury-is-hot-topic "Read more") [ ![Frelon asiatique ](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/08/Photo%20Frelon_Dominique%20Frenot_Flickr.jpg.webp?itok=jeYFgbo0) ](/en/biological-invasions-growing-burden-on-health-and-finances "Biological Invasions: A Growing Burden on Health and Finances") The health costs of biodiversity loss [Biological Invasions: A Growing Burden on Health and Finances](/en/biological-invasions-growing-burden-on-health-and-finances "Biological Invasions: A Growing Burden on Health and Finances") Christophe Diagne Research officer at the Research Institute for Development (IRD) Franck Courchamp Ecologist and research director at the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) [Read more](/en/biological-invasions-growing-burden-on-health-and-finances "Read more") [ ![plateformes suspendues](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/08/Platform%20shelters.jpg.webp?h=45965dfb&itok=gRpiSwr1) ](/en/community-based-biodiversity-conservation-in-africa-maximizing-rural-development-benefits-while "Community-Based Biodiversity Conservation in Africa: Maximizing Rural Development Benefits While Minimizing Infectious Disease Risks") The health costs of biodiversity loss [Community-Based Biodiversity Conservation in Africa: Maximizing Rural Development Benefits While Minimizing Infectious Disease Risks](/en/community-based-biodiversity-conservation-in-africa-maximizing-rural-development-benefits-while "Community-Based Biodiversity Conservation in Africa: Maximizing Rural Development Benefits While Minimizing Infectious Disease Risks") Professeur Gerard Killeen AXA Research Chair in Applied Pathogen Ecology, University College Cork, Republic of Ireland [Read more](/en/community-based-biodiversity-conservation-in-africa-maximizing-rural-development-benefits-while "Read more") [ ![oiseau Tamara Szentivanyi](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/08/Figure1.jpg.webp?itok=xRM-Q92I) ](/en/birds-as-sentinels-emerging-avian-diseases-in-biodiversity-crisis "Birds as Sentinels: Emerging Avian Diseases in a Biodiversity Crisis") The health costs of biodiversity loss [Birds as Sentinels: Emerging Avian Diseases in a Biodiversity Crisis](/en/birds-as-sentinels-emerging-avian-diseases-in-biodiversity-crisis "Birds as Sentinels: Emerging Avian Diseases in a Biodiversity Crisis") Tamara Szentivanyi Research fellow at the HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, Vácrátót and at the Institute of Metagenomics, University of Debrecen, in Hungary [Read more](/en/birds-as-sentinels-emerging-avian-diseases-in-biodiversity-crisis "Read more") ### 3. Solutions for Preserving Biodiversity and Protecting Health The unbreakable ties between ecosystem stability and human health mean that simply noting the damage is not enough: we need to take action to restore the living world. Preserving biodiversity requires coordinated action at every level underpinned by growing public awareness. In France, mobilization against the proposed Duplomb Act, which sought to overturn the ban on acetamiprid, a pesticide banned in France since 2018, showed that there is now a better understanding of the risks that harming pollinator populations poses to human health and food security, revealing a shift in the public debate surrounding biodiversity and the degree to which humanity depends on it. [ ![Tara Ocean 2](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/08/2025_04_26%20Tara_Tara%20Polar%20Station_Navigation_Lorient_%C2%A9Valentin%20Laufe%CC%81ron%20-%20Fondation%20Tara%20Oce%CC%81anDJI_20250426152412_0027_D%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=VcZNvYO4) ](/en/one-health-ocean-perspective-protecting-living-beings-protect-ourselves "One Health from an Ocean Perspective: Protecting Living Beings to Protect Ourselves") What solutions? [One Health from an Ocean Perspective: Protecting Living Beings to Protect Ourselves](/en/one-health-ocean-perspective-protecting-living-beings-protect-ourselves "One Health from an Ocean Perspective: Protecting Living Beings to Protect Ourselves") Henri Bourgeois-Costa Head of Public Affairs for the Tara Ocean Foundation Pierre Mienville Advocacy Officer for the Tara Ocean Foundation [Read more](/en/one-health-ocean-perspective-protecting-living-beings-protect-ourselves "Read more") [ ![photo grenouille](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/08/20220509_140450%20-%20Alexis%20BACLE.jpg.webp?h=798a2231&itok=1BbvWuCV) ](/en/real-world-illustration-business-role-protecting-biodiversity-veolia-case "Real-World Illustration of A Business’ Role in Protecting Biodiversity: The Veolia Case ") What solutions? [Real-World Illustration of A Business’ Role in Protecting Biodiversity: The Veolia Case ](/en/real-world-illustration-business-role-protecting-biodiversity-veolia-case "Real-World Illustration of A Business’ Role in Protecting Biodiversity: The Veolia Case ") Sébastien Daziano Executive Vice President Strategy & Multifaceted Performance - Member of the Executive Committee at Veolia Jean-Pierre Maugendre Deputy Director of Sustainable Development and Multifaceted Performance at Veolia Tiphaine Déas Head of Biodiversity Initiatives within the Nature Pole of the Sustainable Development and Multifaceted Performance Department [Read more](/en/real-world-illustration-business-role-protecting-biodiversity-veolia-case "Read more") [ ![paysage anthropisé](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/08/Operac%CC%A7a%CC%83o_Hymenaea%2C_Julho-2016_%2829399454651%29.jpg.webp?itok=VjkftHUX) ](/en/public-and-institutional-policies-protecting-biodiversity-to-prevent-zoonotic-disease-from-global "Public and Institutional Policies: Protecting Biodiversity to Prevent Zoonotic Disease, from Global to Local") What solutions? [Public and Institutional Policies: Protecting Biodiversity to Prevent Zoonotic Disease, from Global to Local](/en/public-and-institutional-policies-protecting-biodiversity-to-prevent-zoonotic-disease-from-global "Public and Institutional Policies: Protecting Biodiversity to Prevent Zoonotic Disease, from Global to Local") Benjamin Roche Research director at the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) Audrey Arnal Associate researcher at the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) and at UMR UM/CNRS/IRD MIVEGEC, Montpellier, France [Read more](/en/public-and-institutional-policies-protecting-biodiversity-to-prevent-zoonotic-disease-from-global "Read more") [ ![femme assise dans l'herbe](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/08/34414-t2qxlwnld7.jpg.webp?itok=Pj6MKDgL) ](/en/indicators-and-data-tools-to-link-biodiversity-and-health "Indicators and Data: Tools to Link Biodiversity and Health") What solutions? [Indicators and Data: Tools to Link Biodiversity and Health](/en/indicators-and-data-tools-to-link-biodiversity-and-health "Indicators and Data: Tools to Link Biodiversity and Health") Dr David Nogués Bravo Professor at the Globe Institute of the University of Copenhagen [Read more](/en/indicators-and-data-tools-to-link-biodiversity-and-health "Read more") [ ![Plante traitée et non traitée par ARN](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/09/plantes%20trait%C3%A9e%20plante%20non-trait%C3%A9e%20par%20arn.png.webp?itok=Sxx5quqc) ](/en/rna-technology-transforming-the-future-of-sustainable-agriculture "RNA Technology: Transforming the Future of Sustainable Agriculture") What solutions? [RNA Technology: Transforming the Future of Sustainable Agriculture](/en/rna-technology-transforming-the-future-of-sustainable-agriculture "RNA Technology: Transforming the Future of Sustainable Agriculture") Johan Rodriguez-Melo Chief Technology Officer, APOLO Biotech Soledad Traubenik APOLO Biotech Europe Country Manager, APOLO Biotech France Federico Ariel Co-founder & Chief Science Officer, APOLO Biotech [Read more](/en/rna-technology-transforming-the-future-of-sustainable-agriculture "Read more") [ ![selfies animaux](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/08/Last%20selfie.jpg.webp?itok=BQUeOzXR) ](/en/images-narratives-and-perceptions-tools-for-preserving-biodiversity "Images, Narratives and Perceptions: Tools for Preserving Biodiversity ") What solutions? [Images, Narratives and Perceptions: Tools for Preserving Biodiversity ](/en/images-narratives-and-perceptions-tools-for-preserving-biodiversity "Images, Narratives and Perceptions: Tools for Preserving Biodiversity ") Véronique Andrieux CEO at WWF France [Read more](/en/images-narratives-and-perceptions-tools-for-preserving-biodiversity "Read more") [ ![communauté autochtone aymara](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/08/Pic%201%20AXA%20Art.jpg.webp?itok=DB04WKUf) ](/en/what-water-reveals-through-citizen-science-insights-bolivia-and-kenya "What the Water Reveals Through Citizen Science: Insights from Bolivia and Kenya") What solutions? [What the Water Reveals Through Citizen Science: Insights from Bolivia and Kenya](/en/what-water-reveals-through-citizen-science-insights-bolivia-and-kenya "What the Water Reveals Through Citizen Science: Insights from Bolivia and Kenya") Afnan Agramont Researcher in water and environmental governance at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) Department of Water and Climate [Read more](/en/what-water-reveals-through-citizen-science-insights-bolivia-and-kenya "Read more") [ ![récif de corails](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/08/1.%20Coral%20reef.jpg.webp?itok=ViX1C8Et) ](/en/insurance-strategic-lever-for-financing-nature-restoration "Insurance: A Strategic Lever for Financing Nature Restoration") What solutions? [Insurance: A Strategic Lever for Financing Nature Restoration](/en/insurance-strategic-lever-for-financing-nature-restoration "Insurance: A Strategic Lever for Financing Nature Restoration") Aurélie Fallon Saint-Lô Head of Sustainable Underwriting at AXA Group [Read more](/en/insurance-strategic-lever-for-financing-nature-restoration "Read more")