Advancing Synergies Between Biodiversity and Climate Change Policy
IISD provides evidence-based policy advice, guidance, and practical tools for fostering synergies between climate change and biodiversity actions. Through this series of projects, we help policy-makers align climate change and biodiversity policies at the national and international levels to enable more coordinated, coherent, and effective approaches to addressing climate and biodiversity crises.
The 2015 Paris Agreement and the 2022 Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework are inherently complementary. Their overarching goals—to protect biodiversity and to mitigate and adapt to climate change—are deeply interlinked: the success of one depends on the implementation of the other. This interdependence has been recognized by policy-makers and the scientific community and reflected in numerous decisions, declarations, and calls for enhanced collaboration. The coordinated implementation of these two critical international agreements provides signatories with a strong foundation to meet their climate and biodiversity commitments more efficiently and effectively.
As countries renew their commitments in line with the respective agreements, there is a critical and timely opportunity to bring climate and biodiversity actions and policies closer together. This integrated approach can help deliver real wins for both biodiversity actions, and for climate adaptation and mitigation.
IISD is actively leading projects that highlight synergies between biodiversity and climate change policies, with a focus on national and local implementation. These efforts help people learn more, strengthen skills, and encourage policies that combine climate action with protecting nature—especially by using nature-based solutions and creating the right conditions and systems to put them into practice together. The work seeks to provide compelling examples, approaches, and case studies to demonstrate how biodiversity and climate objectives can be advanced together.
What does creating synergies mean?
Creating synergies involves the intentional coordination of planning and implementation of national climate and biodiversity commitments and strategies—nationally determined contributions, national adaptation plans, and national biodiversity strategies and action plans—to achieve results greater than if each policy instrument were implemented by itself. It provides multiple co-benefits, results in more effective and efficient outcomes, and ensures efforts in one area do not undermine progress in another.
Publications
Synergies Between Biodiversity and Climate Policy Frameworks – A Series of Thematic Papers
These thematic papers have everything policy-makers need to pursue more synergistic responses to address the co-existing challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Effectively Delivering on Climate and Nature: Policy analysis to maximize synergies and co-benefits in Mongolia
A review of Mongolia’s climate and biodiversity policies to assess synergies, gaps, barriers, and opportunities to improve alignment and coordination.
Delivering Transformative Change and Multiple Benefits
This brief outlines the potential for nature-based solutions to deliver transformative change and multiple benefits to enhance biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience, and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Building Synergies Between Biodiversity and Climate
Global report that sheds light on how countries can effectively align their climate and biodiversity agendas.
Comparative Analysis of the Existing Criteria, Principles, and Safeguards for the Implementation of Nature-Based Solutions
This background note analyzes the similarities, differences, and gaps of the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions and the Convention on Biological Diversity Voluntary Guidelines for the Design and Effective Implementation of Ecosystem-based Approaches for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction.
Effectively Delivering on Climate and Nature: NDCs, NAPs and NBSAPs Synergies
This checklist for national policy-makers illustrates potential opportunities and interactions during the development or update of the nationally determined contribution (NDC), National Adaptation Plan (NAP), and national biodiversity strategies and action plan (NBSAP).
What’s Next After UNEA-6: Why “synergies” is more than a buzzword
In an era marked by escalating environmental challenges and geopolitical tension, the Sixth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) called for more cooperation to tackle the triple planetary crisis.
Promoting Synergies Between Climate Change Adaptation and Biodiversity Through the National Adaptation Plan and National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan Processes
This technical brief reviews the interconnections between biodiversity and climate adaptation and explores fostering synergies between the NAP and NBSAP processes.
Latest
You might also be interested in
Climate Adaptation and Protected Areas Initiative
A new initiative will use nature-based solutions to support local communities in adapting to climate change while safeguarding critical ecosystems in and around protected areas.
Nature for Climate Adaptation Initiative
This initiative aims to support nature-based climate action that protects livelihoods and biodiversity in the most vulnerable parts of the world.
Prairie Watershed Analytics
Prairie Watershed Analytics is focused on providing Canadians in the Prairies with the information they need to understand their local watershed. Watershed models can support local decision-makers and businesses with evaluating ecosystem services and connecting with environmental incentive programs. Prairie Watershed Analytics is making this practice simple and accessible using open data and toolsto automate and scale watershed modeling tailored to the Prairies.
AQUA-Pearl
A new project helps communities in Fiji build their resilience to climate change through nature-based approaches to oyster aquaculture.