Synergies between adaptation, biodiversity and mitigation: How Ecosystem-based Adaptation can build bridges between Nationally Determined Contributions and the new Global Biodiversity Framework

Healthy and resilient ecosystems are vital for reducing our vulnerability to climate change impacts; they are also important carbon sinks 2 and at the same time enhance people’s quality of life. Ecosystem-based approaches thus offer multiple benefits for adaptation, mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and human well-being. The restoration of wetlands, for example, can enhance water storage capacity, reduce flooding risks and serve as a carbon sink, whilst also providing habitats for migratory birds and aquatic or terrestrial animals as well as an additional source of income through fisheries and other aquatic animals (OAAs).

In this paper, looking at the national level, we argue that the update of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – which often include new and ambitious efforts to adopt ecosystem-based approaches, also referred to as nature-based solutions (NbS) – offers a window of opportunity to foster climate-biodiversity synergies.