Biodiversity and climate change: approaches to addressing the

challenge

Claudio FornerUNFCCC secretariatCforner@unfccc.int

ContentsIntroductionLinkages: a UNFCCC perspectiveLinkages in practiceCooperation between secretariats: the JLGConclusions

IntroductionBiodiversity and climate change as global issues– Global problems? Are all

people/generations affected?– Global solutions? Can all people

contribute?CBD and UNFCCC: an international institutional response

Introduction

UNFCCC: Stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere…CBD: Conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use and fair and equitable sharing…

Introduction: a UNFCCC perspectiveTwo avenues for the UNFCCC:– Adaptation: Impacts– Mitigation: The sourceConvention: General frameworkKyoto Protocol: targets for mitigation

Linkages: A UNFCCC perspective

Biodiversity/conservation not topical: linked to specific issues

Climate change impacts biodiversityEcosystem dynamics affect the carbon cycleClimate change activities impact or benefit biodiversity

Interactions (mentioned… but…)

Benefits to biodiversity

Impacts on biodiversity

Contribution of biodiversity

Adaptation activities

Intensification of agriculture?

Afforestation/ reforestation: recover degraded areas

Water reservoirs,Concrete dykes

Ecosystem conservation/ recovery: Mangrove forests for coastal protection

Mitigation activities

Windmills and migratory species; biofuels and deforestation;

Ecosystem dynamics and the carbon cycle

Linkages: A UNFCCC perspective

Clear boundary: global/national; climate change/other issuesSynergy at the implementation level:– Instruments for mitigation (e.g. CDM)– Adaptation frameworks (NAPAs, other)– Funding mechanisms– Assessment and other activities

Linkages in practiceInstruments under the Convention:– NAPAs– Special climate change fund (SCCF)– Nairobi workprogramme (NWP)

Instruments under the Kyoto Protocol– The CDM: Afforestation and reforestation– The adaptation fund (AF)

Linkages in practice: NAPAs

For LDCs:Urgent immediate needsAction orientedSpecial circumstances– Food, NTFP, energy, water, forestry, fishing and

tourismActivities for cooperation:– NAPAs-NBSAPs– Project implementation– Policies and mainstreaming adaptation

Linkages in practice: SCCF and AF

Two funds to implement projects– SCCF (contributions)– AF (CDM)

Country-driven, based on needs– SCCF: water resources, land management,

fragile ecosystems, coastal management.– AF:?

Activities for cooperation:– Formulation/implementation of projects that

benefit biodiversity

Linkages in practice: NWP

Nairobi Workprogramme on Impacts and adaptation, a 5 year process to:– Improve assessments– Make informed decisions o

Activities for cooperation:– Information sharing– Methodologies and tools– Support the development of policies

Linkages in practice: CDM

References to biodiversity in the process for AR (impacts, GMOs)Sustainable development: national issueNo projects: a complicated instrument Cooperation:– What CDM projects contribute to biodiversity?– Where should these projects be implemented?– Gold and other standards– Sustainable development criteria

Linkages: approachesAdaptation and mitigation: minimize impacts of climate changeCooperation (policies, activities):– Projects and activities that benefit both– Minimising impacts of climate change activities– Pilot projects on the contribution of biodiversity

to mitigation and adaptation– Research to better understand actions for

synergy

Linkages in practiceSoil, rangeland and forest management to enhance resilience and help populations to adapt to climate change;Reforestation and restoration of mangrove forests against storms and coastal erosion, for sequestering carbon and preserving habitatsManagement and conservation of bamboo forests for adaptation and biodiversity conservation;Agroforestry to lessen pressure at the agricultural frontier

Cooperation

Convention level: cooperation between Conventions

Secretariat level: The Join Liaison Group (UNCCD+CBD+ UNFCCC)

The JLG

“informal forum for exchanging information, exploring opportunities for synergistic activities and increasing coordination”.

The JLG: proposalsFocal point interactionJoint national workshopsCase studies on linkages: adaptation, mitigation and sustainable use of biodiversityDevelopment of common methodologies and toolsWider use of the ecosystem approachCross-fertilization of activities (NAPAs and NBSAPs)

ConclusionsCC and BD share similar causes, but deal with different issuesRoom for cooperation at the implementation level: adaptation, mitigation and sustainable use of biodiversityWork on national policies/activities as the axis, not CC or BD. National policies and activities that benefit both are needed (little is found on the ground)Governments may need support for policy, but they set priorities

To think further…Where/when are common activities feasible/desirable?How could CC instruments be used for e.g. the 2010 targets? (CDM? REDD?)How to enhance local knowledge and make use of it?How to deal with conflicts? (e.g. the need to build a dam)

Looking into the futureThe Kyoto Protocol expires after 2012The politics moving for a future long term regime: the G8, mid night sun dialogue, others.Bali, a range of issues to discuss– A door to the future: adaptation,

mitigation, deforestation, technology, market instruments and finance.

Vielen Dank für IhreAufmerksamkeit

cforner@unfccc.int

NWP: topicsMethods and toolsModellingData and observationsSocio economic informationResearchPlanning and policiesTechnologies