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BIODIVERSITY

Why does biodiversity, focusing on forest and grassland ecosystems, matter? 

Biodiversity underpins the ecosystem processes and functions that provide critical services to society. In turn actions that help conserve, restore or sustainably make use of biodiversity and ecosystems can provide adaptation benefits while also contributing to multiple facets of sustainable development. These include climate change mitigation, disaster risk reduction, and the maintenance of essential ecosystem services. 

Forest and grassland ecosystems provide floodwater retention and slope stabilization and serve as windbreaks, while also providing food, fodder and innumerable recreational and cultural services. Actions to restore and conserve forest and grassland biodiversity and ecosystems also provide co-benefits to human health and well-being, including reducing the risk of disease transmission by reducing contact and the exchange of pathogens between humans and wildlife. 
 

Closing knowledge gaps through partnership with the NWP expert group on biodiversity 

Biodiversity, including forests and grasslands, is one of the priority areas under the Nairobi Work Programme (NWP) as mandated by SBSTA 48 and SBSTA 50. In response to the mandates provided to the NWP, twenty-five expert organizations were invited to join thematic expert group on forest and grassland biodiversity and climate change adaptation.  
 

The knowledge-to-action methodology 

The NWP uses a knowledge-to-action methodology (see figure below) that guides knowledge co-development through partnerships. This collaborative approach responds to the adaptation needs of Parties, with an emphasis on developing countries, and supports the formulation of national adaptation plans and relevant mandates of UNFCCC constituted bodies. The approach has been refined over the years incorporating lessons learned.  
 

UNFCCC

 

Progress 

Engage expert group and scope the thematic area including reviewing and synthesizing existing knowledge 
Webinar to showcase findings from the draft scoping paper 
 
Second virtual meeting of the expert group on held in January 2021 

Steps Activities Outputs
1) Scoping  Scoping paper: Knowledge gaps in integrating forest and grassland biodiversity and ecosystems into adaptation strategies Scoping paper: Knowledge gaps in integrating forest and grassland biodiversity and ecosystems into adaptation strategies
2) Engage with expert groups 

Expert group established (see here) 

First virtual meeting held in July 2020

  
3) Refine knowledge  Webinar to showcase findings from the draft scoping paper  
4) Co-design action Second virtual meeting of the expert group on held in January 2021  
5) Report and disseminate findings   

Outputs included: 

  • Complementary Knowledge products to share key findings from the scoping paper 
6) Facilitate partnerships to mobilize support 

Preparatory meeting to plan for the 14th Nairobi work programme Focal Point Forum 

14th Focal Point Forum on biodiversity and climate change adaptation in conjunction with COP 26, Glasgow

 NWP summary report of the 14th Focal Point Forum on biodiversity and climate change adaptation  
7) Implementing action (more details) 

Collaborative actions activities undertaken:  

  • Addressing gender inequities in forest and trees-based adaptation is key to addressing the climate urgency with LWPG and CIFOR 

  • Long-term Monitoring of Adaptation 

  •  Organize EbA Knowledge Day Session: Long-term monitoring of the performance of EbA projects (September 2021) 

Collaborative action briefs and reports published: 
 


Next steps 

Timeline  Action
Until end-of 2023  Strengthening Capacity for Long-Term Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning for Ecosystem-based Adaptation. To be published in 2023

 

 

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