New knowledge brief highlights the value of ecosystem-based adaptation across the Rio Conventions

At the recent Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) COP16 in Cali, Colombia, the Friends of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (FEBA) released a knowledge brief illustrating how Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) supports the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). It showcases EbA’s potential to play a dual role, addressing adaptation and resilience, and pre-emptively reducing loss and damage. Furthermore, it recognises nature as central to finding solutions to these issues, describing it as “a powerful ally in our fight against climate change, biodiversity loss and increasing inequality.”

 

All three Rio Conventions are holding COPs at the end of 2024: CBD COP16 has just finished, UNFCCC COP29 discussions are underway in Baku, Azerbaijan, and UNCCD COP16 will start in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at the beginning of December. There has been increasing pressure from across the Rio Conventions to align climate and biodiversity action. FEBA’s knowledge brief shows the potential of EbA to respond to this pressure. It highlights how Targets 8 and 11 of the KMGBF can advance the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP29’s key objectives in an integrated, equitable, people- and nature-aligned approach.

 

The Climate and Development Knowledge Network’s (CDKN) EbA Thematic Lead, Nadia Sitas, reflects on conversations within the FEBA working group, explaining how this focus on EbA is relevant to several priorities currently under discussion in Baku. Read more here.