COP 16 | The Value of Nature-Based Solutions for Cultivating Resilient Food Systems

About the event

Adopted at COP15 in December 2022, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. With focus now shifting to implementation, this side event examined the role and business case for nature-based solutions (NbS) in fostering resilient food systems and advancing the goals of the GBF.  

More specifically, the event reviewed the potential of agroforestry, through integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes, as a powerful strategy for enhancing biodiversity, improving climate resilience, securing rural livelihoods, safeguarding food and nutrition, and mitigating water scarcity. This event unpacked key findings from new reports by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). IFAD presented a review of its agroforestry projects and efforts to pilot enhanced economic analysis for agroecology, while IISD highlighted results from two new integrated cost-benefit analyses of IFAD agroforestry projects in Kenya and eSwatini, developed by the Nature-Based Infrastructure (NBI) Global Resource Centre. Learnings from a past water stewardship project in Indonesia, developed with UNIDO, was also showcased.

Using these case studies, the event explored the economic value of NbS and how agroforestry practices can lead to increased, more sustainable agricultural productivity, reduce costs through natural resource management, mitigate water scarcity, and create new income streams from diversified farming systems. The discussionemphasized the importance of creating supportive economic and policy frameworks to incentivize the adoption of these practices on a larger scale.

The panellists shared their experiences and discussed relevant examples. This side event aimed to provide stakeholders with practical insights into how new approaches to valuing NbS can make the investment case for supporting agroforestry and sustainable food systems that both work towards the targets of the GBF and enhance food security.

Speakers

• Patricia Fuller, CEO and President, IISD
• Liesbeth Casier, Coordinator, NBI Global Resource Centre, IISD

Facilitator

• Benjamin Simmons, Director, Sustainable Infrastructure and NBI Global Resource Centre, IISD

Panellists 

• Chizuru Aoki, Manager, Conventions and Funds Division, GEF
• Marie-Aude Even, Senior Biodiversity Technical Specialist, IFAD
• Smail Alhilali, Chief, Division of Circular Economy and Green Industry, UNIDO
• Zano Mataruka, Regional Industry Manager for Agribusiness, IFC

Watch the recording