Let’s join hands to protect our Commons

Commons – such as community forests, pastures, and water bodies – are critical for rural and tribal communities to meet basic needs such as food, water, firewood, and fodder. They also provide ecosystem services such as surface and groundwater recharge, soil nutrients, pollination, pest control and carbon storage. This is all vital for the viability, resilience and growth of farms and the livelihoods of local communities, more so in the face of the unfolding climate crisis.

Commons also provide communities with a distinct social and cultural identity, serving as spaces for interaction, negotiation and deliberation, nurturing solidarity for living and working together. Despite significant restoration efforts, these vital resources face alarming degradation, threatening livelihoods and ecosystems.

Commons Convening 2024 is the first of many gatherings designed to advance a cohesive, system-wide dialogue that amplifies the importance of Commons in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and climate action goals. This will involve sharing best practices, fostering innovation, and promoting policy coherence that ensures Commons management contributes effectively to the broader sustainable development agenda.