During the inaugural session of the NAbSA Dialogues, participants from the Partnering for Climate (P4C) initiative, along with external experts, engaged in discussions on the crucial role of biodiversity in enhancing climate resilience and adaptation. This session aimed to provide technical insights into how biodiversity supports the stability and functionality of ecosystems amidst climate change. It highlighted the importance of biodiversity for community resilience and sustainable livelihoods in the context of evolving environmental conditions.
The NAbSA Team, part of IUCN’s Climate Change and Energy Transition Team, welcomed biodiversity experts and representatives from the P4C project to share their experiences and best practices in leveraging biodiversity for climate resilience. This inaugural dialogue established foundational concepts of biodiversity, presenting related tools and insights into the impacts of species loss on ecosystem health, among other topics. It also underscored the importance of conservation strategies and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) that prioritise biodiversity in adaptation planning. We extend our gratitude to all presenters for their informative presentations and for sharing their unique approaches to ensuring biodiversity conservation:
- Dr. Thomas Brooks, IUCN Chief Scientist: “Biodiversity crisis and Nature Conservation”.
- Annick Gillard-Bailetti, Plan International: “Conservation and sustainable management of coastal and marine ecosystems (COSME)”.
- Amy Martens, Mennonite Central Committee: “Locally-led Indigenous Nature-based Solutions for Climate Change Adaptation in Zimbabwe (LiNCZ)”.
- Veronica Lo, International Institute of Sustainable Development: Nature for Climate Adaptation Initiative’s Enhancing Biodiversity Co-Benefits From Nature-Based Solutions.
Please find the French versions of these presentations here.
“Biodiversity loss, at a globally significant level, is happening all around us.” Dr. Thomas Brooks, IUCN.
Following brief opening remarks from Ali Raza Rizvi, the Head of IUCN’s Climate Change & Energy Transition Team, and Kerry Max, Deputy Director of Global Affairs Canada’s Partnering for Climate Initiative (P4C), Dr. Brooks introduced the session by introducing the biodiversity crisis and nature conservation. Biodiversity is defined as the “variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems” (Article 2, CBD). Beyond genetic biodiversity, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species measures species biodiversity, outlining their characteristics, dynamics, and risks posed by various sources. Additionally, IUCN’s Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM) developed the Red List of Ecosystems to address biodiversity loss at the ecosystem level, presenting ecosystem assessments from various countries worldwide.
Biodiversity loss has devastating implications on human life due to its destruction of essential ecosystem services. However, there is growing evidence that nature conservation actions can be taught and effectively reverse biodiversity loss, aligning with the mission and vision of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Actions that tackle and mitigate the drivers of biodiversity loss have generally proven successful, such as reducing threats from unsustainable arable agriculture, which offers significant opportunities for reducing species risk globally. This was concluded by IUCN’s STAR Metric, a widely used resource that provides a quantitative link between conservation, restoration, natural resource management, and other on-the-ground efforts with the global goal of reducing biodiversity losses as outlined in the GBF and SDG 15.
“Nature conservation to abate threats and advance restoration can halt and reverse these declines in genetic, species and ecosystem biodiversity loss.” Dr. Thomas Brooks, IUCN.
Annick Gillard-Bailetti then translated these global findings and lessons to the local context through Plan International’s COSME project. Situated in the transboundary regions between Kenya and Tanzania, these areas boast unique biodiversity, comprising East African coastal forests, rivers, mangroves, and coral reefs, as well as sacred land and forests. However, climate change and human activity have damaged these critical hotspots. COSME aims to utilise Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to tackle these key threats to biodiversity by promoting sustainable livelihoods, particularly for women, alongside community-based forest management and mangrove restoration. Environmental DNA (eDNA), field surveys, GIS mapping technology, and climate risk assessments form the core components of COSME’s approach to biodiversity measurement, ensuring comprehensive activities in the region. View details of COSME’s results here.
Amy Martens and her colleagues from Bindura University’s Global Biodiversity Information Facility followed with their biodiversity surveys in Zimbabwe’s forests, wetlands, and agricultural lands. Similar to COSME, LiNCZ employs environmental DNA (eDNA) from farmland, trees, and livestock, among other techniques, to assess the impact of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) on local ecosystems. Their overarching goal is to enhance indigenous-led, nature-positive, conflict-sensitive, and climate-resilient livelihoods, particularly for women and girls, across three districts.
Veronica Lo concluded the speaker portion of the Dialogue by presenting technical briefs and case studies aimed at familiarising NbS practitioners with terms related to biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecosystem services. Her presentation also aimed to inform the planning, design, and implementation of NbS that enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services, providing biodiversity co-benefits. View the first publication on enhancing biodiversity co-benefits here, and the second on relevant case studies here.
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NAbSA Dialogues is a platform for experts and stakeholders interested in the practical integration of biodiversity conservation and gender considerations for the design and application of effective NbS for climate adaptation and community resilience. Join us to explore how preserving the diversity of life on Earth is crucial for a sustainable future on our ever-changing and dynamic planet.
For more information on these Dialogues or NAbSA, please contact Veronica Ruiz (veronica.ruiz@iucn.org) or Zoe Jafflin (zoe.jafflin@iucn.org).
