Strengthening Synergies: Climate change mitigation benefits from achieving global biodiversity targets

KAPOS, VALERIE; CRISTINA TELHADO; BOIPELO TSHWENE-MAUCHAZA; JULIET L. MILLS; VISCONTI, PIERO; MONJEAU, ADRIAN

2022-03-01/2022-10-31

Planificación espacial y uso de la tierra

Rec.Nat.Renov.-Conservacion y preservacion

1. Well-directed action to conserve and restore biodiversity in line with the targets being developed for the Convention on Biological Diversity?s (CBD) post-2020 global biodiversity framework can substantially help to mitigate climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and enhancing removals. 2. Synergies between conserving biodiversity and mitigating climate change can be promoted by identifying land areas of joint global importance for biodiversity objectives and terrestrial carbon, using map-based analyses. These are areas where conservation or restoration would reduce extinction risk for the greatest number of species and maximize carbon retention or sequestration. 3. Achieving a global 30% target on area-based conservation, as included in the draft post- 2020 global biodiversity framework, can prevent land-use change in areas of joint global importance for biodiversity objectives and terrestrial carbon stocks. This could avoid as much as 40 GtCO2 emissions by 2050 (nearly one third of global projected emissions from land-use change in that time frame). 4. Restoring ecosystems in the 15% of all areas converted to agriculture and pasture worldwide that are identified as of highest potential importance for biodiversity and carbon (~306 Mha, Figure 2) could sequester a further 22GtCO2 in biomass by 2050. 5. Furthermore, full implementation of the draft post-2020 global biodiversity framework will result in additional greenhouse gas emissions reductions and removals. For example, improving land management outside areas designated for conservation, restoring degraded (as well as converted) ecosystems and improving management effectiveness within protected areas can all contribute to climate change mitigation. 6. Applying approaches that consider biodiversity and climate goals together at national and jurisdictional levels is crucial for informing inclusive decision-making processes. Decisions on objectives and action to achieve them should involve indigenous peoples, local communities, and vulnerable groups including women and girls. This is essential to enable appropriate and effective action that secures multiple benefits and avoids adverse impacts. 7. The results highlight the overall potential contribution to climate change mitigation of biodiversity-focused conservation and restoration actions on land. Directing action towards areas important for both biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation is a key means to achieve both objectives. The distribution of areas of global importance for biodiversity and carbon among regions is uneven, with many being found in developing countries. International support is needed to help developing countries to contribute towards reaching these global goals