The air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we get from the land, lakes, rivers and oceans are all dependent on healthy freshwater ecosystems.
Access to fresh water, in sufficient quantity, quality and availability, is fundamental to human life, health, well-being and dignity and is a human right. Despite this, the ecosystems that provide this fresh water are under increasing threat. Freshwater ecosystems and inland water bodies such as rivers, lakes, wetlands and groundwater aquifers, and their
biodiversity, are among the most threatened on the planet. They are also fundamentally connected to, and interdependent on, other blue ecosystems along our coasts and in the ocean. This forms the crux of the UNEP global Freshwater Strategic Priorities, which help to implement the Medium-term Strategy 2022-2025.
UNEP collaborates with governments, businesses and individuals, in addition to other partners and networks, on ecosystem health.
The work of UNEP on ecosystem health is led by the Freshwater Ecosystems Unit.
