Sustainable use is a critical tool for supporting both conservation and livelihoods, yet its role in achieving development goals is often overlooked.
All people depend on nature for nutrition, health and well-being, with billions around the world relying on wild species to support their livelihoods. It has been estimated that between 3.5 and 5.8 billion people (between 40 and 70% of the world’s population) use wild natural products. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) notes that this is particularly true of Indigenous peoples and communities in rural areas, who often live in close proximity with wildlife.
