Better Tools and Standards: Enhancing Effectiveness and Mainstreaming of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (CBD SBSTTA-22 Side Event)

The concept of using biodiversity and ecosystems to adapt to climate change—Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA)—has emerged as a promising approach that can provide multiple environmental and socio-economic benefits.

This jointly held side event to the Convention on Biological Diversity's (CBD) Twenty-second meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-22) aims to address challenges based on the diverse experiences of Friends of EbA (FEBA) members IISD, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC). Presentations will concentrate on the biodiversity-adaptation nexus and the introduction of different tools, quality criteria, and standards to enhance the effectiveness of EbA.

A specific focus will be the new Adaptation, Livelihoods and Ecosystems (ALivE) Planning Tool. ALivE is a practical EbA planning tool in the form of a comprehensive software, to assist adaptation practitioners, conservationists, and government decision-makers with the development and planning of effective EbA projects, and raise awareness of the availability of and help drive the uptake of EbA. Such tools increase the effectiveness of EbA implementation on the ground and also enhance integration of effective EbA into conservation and development approaches and policy.