As the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of nature is crucial for achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement, UNFCCC COP 28 was important for decision-makers and the whole-of-society to address the biodiversity and climate twin crises.
If climate change is playing an increasingly important role in biodiversity loss, biodiversity remains one of the best allies to tackle climate change.
The Nature, Land Use and Ocean day on the 9th of December of the COP aimed at showcasing efforts that accelerate the implementation of the KMGBF, which provides a clear framework for halting and reversing nature loss – to help deliver a climate-safe future.
The COP28 Joint Statement on Climate, Nature & People was endorsed by 18 countries who lead 11 biodiversity and climate partnerships across forests, mangroves and the ocean.
On this occasion, during a press conference dedicated, several project partners expressed their views. Their interventions converged in expressing the great potential of addressing both climate and biodiversity crises through joint action and mobilising the whole of society.
In seeking to transition land-use and ocean systems to support climate-aligned and nature positive development, this thematic day focused on scaling robust solutions that protect, restore and effectively manage natural ecosystems, address drivers of nature loss, empower indigenous peoples and local communities, and create resilient livelihoods.
The day also spotlighted enabling actions that unlock new financial flows and mainstream climate-nature synergies across transition plans and reporting frameworks.
Addressing the Biodiversity-climate nexus
In continuity with side events organized during COP15 and SBBSTA 25, our project held and supported a series of events in Dubai, aimed at fostering the implementation of the KMGBF and in particular its Targets 2, 3, 8, 12, 15 and thus contributing to reaching the Paris Agreeement’s overall goal:
Exerting the key influence & impact of SNLGS
- A Dinner reception together with Regions4: “Building a sustainable tomorrow: connecting regional leaders and the global community for Biodiversity and Climate Action”.
The dinner took take place at Al Fanar Restaurant & Café, Al Wasl Avenue, Expo City Dubai, on December 4th. - A Networking event together with Regions4: “Integrated actions for transformative change: showcasing subnational champions in synergies between climate & biodiversity agendas”, on December 6th.
- A Side event: “Tackling the twin crises of climate and biodiversity loss: ambition and action from regional governments to build resilience”, organized together with Regions4, the European Committee of the Regions and the IUCN, on December 11th at the EU Pavilion.
It marked the launch of a 4-page brief titled “Transformative Multi-Level Action: Subnational Solutions for Climate & Biodiversity” co-produced with Regions4.
Sharing whole-of-government action for mainstreaming biodiversity
- A Side event together with the Costa Rican National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) , hold on December 8th. Entitled “Implementing the KMBGF in synergy with the climate agenda in Latin America“, it also offered a platform to present Costa Rican activities and latest outcomes from Dialogues organized with ECLAC supported by the project.
This event marked the publication of two 4-page briefs on the process of prioritization of marine area management and restoration in Costa Rica and on the Mainstreaming of Biodiversity and innovative governance in Latin America and the Caribbean, based on the recent ECLAC’s Dialogues with civil society, the private sector and the governmental sector.
Mobilizing the whole-of-society for Nature-positive on December the 9th
- A side event organized by Faith For biodiversity: ”Climate and Nature: Strengthening Advocacy and Action” at the Faith Pavilion, on December 9th. This event was a follow up of the SBSSTA25 Side event that gathered representatives of various Faith-based organisations (FbOs).
- A side event organised by the Nature Positive Partnership and Non-State Actors: “Measuring Nature Positive” hold on December 9th in the Nature Positive Zone, followed by reception “Nature Positive Forum launch”.
The overall COP 28 programme was designed to unite a diverse range of stakeholders – all levels of governments, youth, business and investors, civil society, frontline communities, indigenous peoples and others – around specific solutions that must be scaled-up this decade to limit global warming to 1,5 degrees, build resilience and mobilize finance at scale. This whole of society approach echoed the KMGBF ambition to ensure its effective implementation by 2030.
“Climate change and biodiversity… It’s not one or the other. They are simply two faces of the same coin. And they need to be tackled together if we want to leave behind a viable planet for future generations”, points out the project Team Leader, Hugo Rivera Mendoza.
The importance of engaging non-Party stakeholders (businesses, cities, subnational regions, investors, and civil society) in the multilateral process under the UNFCCC has been long recognized by Parties and this COP28 has, indeed, showcased the collective momentum from diverse sectors and discussed issues crucial to driving global ambition and action.
Announcements, commitments and declarations have been made, as well as the launch and progress of cooperative climate initiatives, but it remains crucial to track them from now on, to ensure such efforts effectively contribute to accelerating the multilateral process towards achieving the objectives of Paris Agreement.
Some countries and stakeholders have, indeed, shown efforts to bring commitments towards nature-based climate action, and nature-climate finance.
‘Transitioning away from all fossil fuels‘ : unprecedented reference, provided that the Agreement is followed by Action
After an initial discussion in plenary on December 12th, and a first draft of the Climate Deal considered “insufficient” by the Parties, the final text was adopted on December 13th, featuring an unprecedented reference to “transitioning away from all fossil fuels“.
This text sets in motion an irreversible and accelerated transition.
- The Global Stockage Presidency Text is available here.
