The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity at UNFCCC COP-21
The work of the Convention on Biological Diversity is closely related to issues addressed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
At the UNFCCC COP-21, representatives of the Secretariat will be focused on communicating the ways that biodiversity contributes to achievement of the objectives of the climate change agenda, including the following:
Achievement of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 Pathways exist for achieving the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-202 and its 2050 vision, for an end to biodiversity loss, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals, all while limiting climate change to 2°C warming above pre-industrial levels and combating desertification and land degradation. However, reaching these joint objectives requires more efficient use of land, water, energy and materials, rethinking our consumption habits and in particular major transformations of food systems.
The contribution of all ecosystems to climate change mitigation The Earth's ecosystems stock huge amounts of carbon. Figures published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have shown that terrestrial and coastal ecosystems alone store more than five times as much carbon as is currently in the atmosphere. To date, most climate change mitigation efforts have been focused on terrestrial forests. It is important to note that other types of ecosystems, such as peatlands, grasslands, coastal ecosystems, tundra and agricultural ecosystems, can also have a vital role as active carbon sinks and carbon stores, as well as in supporting climate change adaptation.
Ecosystems and adaptation and disaster risk reduction Healthy ecosystems can play a big role in increasing resilience and helping people adapt to climate change through the delivery of a range of ecosystem services that benefit human well-being. Ecosystem services, the indirect and direct benefits provided by ecosystems, not only supply food, water and energy, they also permit adaptation to climate change and a reduction of disaster risk. Ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation are based on sustainable management, conservation and restoration of ecosystems in order to conserve and enhance ecosystem services.
Marine and coastal biodiversity and climate change Marine and coastal biodiversity provide enormous benefits for human well-being. Oceans are facing major threats due to rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In addition to driving global climate change, increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide affect ocean chemistry, impacting marine ecosystems and compromises the health of the oceans and their ability to provide important services to the global community.
Relevant Events
- 1 December 2015, 16:45-18:00, Side event: Experiences on implementation of ecosystem-based approaches to climate change mitigation, in the Rio Conventions Pavilion (Générations Climat Area)
- 4 December 2015: Oceans Day at the Rio Conventions Pavilion
- 4 December 2015, 13:15-14:45, UN side event: Science-based climate information- Building on evidence to implement policies (Observer room 08)
- 5 - 6 December 2015, Global Landscapes Forum (Palais de congrès)
- 5 December 2015, 10:00-11:30, IUCN EbA Day: Making EbA effective (IUCN Pavilion)
- 5 December 2015, 13:00-14:30, GEF Synergies Day: Facilitating Synergies for Sustainable Development: Multilateral Environmental Agreements and the GEF (Rio Conventions Pavilion)
- 5 December 2015, 14:00-16:00, WWF side event: Amazon Protected Areas, Natural Solutions to Climate Change (German Pavilion)
- 8 December 2015, 11:00-13:30, WWF event “Forests and Oceans: for the People, for the Climate” (Climate Generation room 1)
- 8 December 2015, 14:00–15:30, Side event: Ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction: experiences at country and regional level, in the IUCN Pavilion (Blue Zone, Paris-Le Bourget)
- 8 December 2015, 15:30-16:00, Press conference on Declaration on Protected Areas and Climate Change (Press Centre, Room 3)
- 8 December 2015, 18:30-20:00, UN side event: Why the climate change agreement is critical to Public Health (Observer room 01)
- 9 December 2015: Gender Day at the Rio Conventions Pavilion. The Gender Day of the Rio Conventions Pavilion will provide a platform for discussion on the road ahead towards Agenda 2030, looking at ways to support the achievement of sustainable development goals relating to gender equality and environmental sustainability through the work of the three Rio Conventions, associated institutions and civil society.
- 9 December 2015, 10:00-10:50, UN System Mini Event on the Contribution of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets to Land-based Climate Mitigation (Climate Change Studio)
- 10 December 2015, 16:45-18:15, Mexico side event: “Climate Change and Biodiversity for Sustainable Development”
- 11 December 2015, 15:15-16:45, French side event: Biodiversity and climate change (Climate Generation)
- Various other events and thematic days at the Rio Conventions Pavilion
Publications
