Biodiversity and Climate Change United Nations Convention on
Biodiversity and Climate Change United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity
Section 1: Impacts of climate change on biodiversity Section 2: Impacts of biodiversity on climate change Section 3: Climate change within the Convention on Biological Diversity
Section 1: Impacts of Climate Change on Biodiversity n Millennium Ecosystem Assessment – climate change is the second greatest threat to biodiversity n n Climate change is changing species through: • shifting habitat • changing life cycles • the development of new physical traits Climate change is reducing the ability of indigenous and local communities to sustain traditional, biodiversitybased livelihoods
Die-offs Coral bleaching die-offs of up to 50% in the Indian Ocean Extinctions A species of Golden Toad in Costa Rica Life Cycles Gothic marmots emerge from hibernation about a month earlier than 30 years ago Physiology The average weight of adult female polar bears has decreased by more than 20% over the last 25 years
Section 2: Impacts of Biodiversity on Climate Change • Reducing emissions from deforestation and other forms of land use change Providing a ‘safety net’ of genetic resources for adaptation • • Providing protection (bioshields) against the negative impacts of climate change
Reducing Emissions Forests account for more than half of the global stock of carbon stored in terrestrial vegetation and soil Biodiversity Safety Net Land races of many crops are providing genetic material for the development of drought-resistant crop varieties Bioshields The value of mangroves as coastal protection has been estimated at $25 – $50 per hectare
Section 3: Climate Change within the Convention on Biological Diversity The cross-cutting issues on biodiversity and climate change COP decision VIII/30: 1. recommendations for the enhancement of climate change considerations in all Programmes of Work and 2. information on the role of protected areas
The Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity Four AHTEGs: n First meeting 21 - 25 January 2002 n Last meeting 13 - 16 September 2005 AHTEG reports were published as two technical series: n TS 10 - Interlinkages between biological diversity and climate change n TS 25 - Guidance for Promoting Synergy Among Activities Addressing Biological Diversity, Desertification, Land Degradation and Climate Change
Climate Change Components of the Programmes of Work Forest Biodiversity Mitigate the negative impacts of climate change and promote forest biodiversity considerations in mitigation and adaptation Inland Waters Attention to the impacts of climate change and the role of inland waters in mitigation and adaptation
Climate Change Components of the Programmes of Work Marine & Coastal Mountain Biodiversity Impacts of climate change on coral reefs and need to consider climate change in protected area planning Need for more information on climate change and the vulnerability of mountain biodiversity to its impacts
Climate Change Components of the Programmes of Work Island Biodiversity Address challenges to island biodiversity from climate change and pollution Dry and Sub- Conservation taking into humid Lands account climate change Agricultural Climate regulation & carbon Biodiversity sequestration recognized as ecological services provided by agricultural biodiversity
Article 8 j on local and indigenous communities and traditional knowledge COP decision VIII/5 B 1. noted the specific vulnerabilities of indigenous and local communities to the impacts of climate change 2. requested further research on climate change vulnerability targeting highly vulnerable indigenous and local communities
Joint work undertaken with the UNFCCC • Called for in multiple COP decisions (eg. decision VIII/3) • Coordinated through the Joint Liaison Group • Focuses on technology transfer, vulnerability and adaptation, and reducing emissions from deforestation
Section 4: Response of the Convention on Biological Diversity 2010 Biodiversity Target 7. 1: Maintain and enhance resilience of the components of biodiversity to adapt to climate change
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