Nature synergies

Aligning the Rio Conventions

The imperative to tackle the nature and climate crises in tandem, long emphasised by science, has yet to be well recognised across the Conventions. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has taken significant steps with a dedicated negotiation strand and, from COP16, a new pathway towards enhancing policy coherence between the Rio Conventions. 

The UN Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD) COP16 also placed a significant focus on synergies and trade-offs between the three Rio Conventions, with a decision focused on strengthening synergies between Conventions at a national level. 

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) adopted language in its Global Stocktake (GST) that underlined the importance of conserving ecosystems, halting and reversing deforestation, and aligning with the CBD’s Global Biodiversity Framework. However, it lags far behind with a lack of recognition of the fundamental role played by biodiversity and ecosystems in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. Existing UNFCCC rules, definitions, and accounting approaches tend to undermine rather than support ecosystem integrity, and there is a lack of expertise within the process to address these challenges.

Better integration across the Conventions is needed to prevent silos and to maximise synergies and opportunities. 

Phasing Out Deforestation and Land Conversion

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Global Stocktake (GST) outcome recognises “the importance of conserving, protecting and restoring nature and ecosystems towards achieving the Paris Agreement temperature goal, including through enhanced efforts towards halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation by 2030”. 

Despite this, global deforestation continues apace both in the Global North and Global South, and greater political attention is required to drive delivery and bring about lasting change.

Community-led action and protecting rights

Human rights and inclusion must be cornerstones of nature and climate policy and implementation. Policies, action, and investments must be informed by human rights, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, including Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), and gender equality, and be responsive to the needs of marginalised communities and groups.