The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) participated in an Expert Hearing of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on "Healthy Planet for Healthy People: Towards a Comprehensive ‘One Health’ Approach" on 24th March 2025.
The health of ecosystems, animals and people are interdependent, as they are part of the same natural ecosystem. The triple planetary crisis (climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution) and the COVID-19 pandemic have emphasised the need for a more holistic approach and a global framework for improved surveillance. One Health is an integrated, inclusive, equitable and accessible approach to balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems to better manage and prevent emerging diseases. It supports a wide range of sustainable development objectives with significant co- benefits in areas such as food production, healthy diets and environmental protection. Read more about EESC’s own-initiative opinion.
Dr. Chris Walzer, WCS Executive Director for Health, referenced the 'Manhattan Principles’, which underscores WCS's long-standing commitment to a holistic systems-based approach to health and preventing zoonotic disease emergence, along with the protection of ecological integrity to benefit humans, their domesticated animals and the foundational biodiversity that supports life on Earth.
WCS' Dr. Chris Walzer presenting at an Expert Hearing of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).
The conservation of healthy, high-integrity ecosystems is critical for addressing the triple environmental crises of biodiversity collapse, climate change, and the emergence of pandemics of zoonotic origin. Avoiding ecosystem degradation reduces the overall risk of pathogen spillovers and zoonotic disease outbreaks and serves as an effective mechanism to prevent future epidemics and pandemics.
Dr. Walzer highlighted the ongoing negotiations for a WHO pandemic agreement in Geneva, which provide the critical opportunity to firmly embed One Health principles and action into global policy frameworks. By prioritizing shared responsibilities; nurturing partnerships across divisions of human, wildlife, and livestock health; and coordinating funding in the agreement, member states will drive the transition toward fully integrated health systems.
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WCS and One Health
Pandemic prevention at source
Links between Ecological Integrity and Human Health
Best Practices to Confront Pandemics at the Source
WCS Recommendations to Reduce Pandemic Risk