This discussion paper is the result of collaboration between the World Health Organization and the Secretariats of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. The report reviews the scientific evidence for the linkages between health and biodiversity, climate change and desertification, the representation of health in the corresponding Rio Conventions, and the opportunities for more integrated and effective policy. This document demonstrates the importance of human health as an integrating theme across sustainable development, and a strong motivation for concerted global actions to address global environmental change.