Join us for the last SDG Community Coffee of the year as we discover a diverse set of initiatives and projects under the theme "SDG Action in 2022":

• The Role of Media in Promoting Sustainable Solutions (SDG 17) by Léman Bleu
• Radical Climate Collaboration (SDG 13 & SDG 17) by Reos Partners
• Integrating Ethical Performance Excellence in Higher Education (SDG 4) by Globethics.net
• Securing Digital Transformation One NGO at a Time (SDG 16 & SDG 17) by the CyberPeace Institute

At this Community Coffee you will also have a chance to hear from the new Head of the SDG Lab, Özge Aydogan.

Watch the livestream recording here.

View highlights and images from the event here.

Description

The Nature and Climate Thematic Afternoon at the COP 15 Rio Conventions Pavilion will feature a series of sessions highlighting the importance of synergies between biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation for the successful implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the scaling-up of climate and nature initiatives. 

This thematic afternoon is hosted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Global Affairs Canada (GAC) as part of the Nature for Climate Adaptation Initiative funded by the Government of Canada, and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Financial support is also provided by the Nature-Based Infrastructure Global Resource Centre, the International Institute for Environment and Development, the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 

Agenda

High-Level Opening of the Nature and Climate Thematic Afternoon at the Rio Conventions Pavilion

13:00–13:30  |  IISD, CBD, GAC, and the Government of Germany

The opening session will launch the Nature and Climate Thematic Afternoon at the COP 15 Rio Conventions Pavilion, with high-level remarks from IISD, CBD, GAC, and the Government of Germany on the role of social inclusion, gender equity, and biodiversity net gain in nature and climate initiatives for the successful implementation of the GBF.  

Enhancing Synergies Through Climate, Biodiversity, and Sustainable Development Actions

13:30–14:50  |  SwedBio, CBD, GIZ, IISD, and Friends of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (FEBA) 

Sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and climate change are inextricably linked and interconnected fields. The realization of synergies and building strategic linkages and coordinating actions could increase the effectiveness of different actions and related goals. Pursuing synergies will enable the smart use of resources and improve the quality of planning while strengthening positive synergies in implementation processes and magnifying the impact. It will likely minimize potential conflicts and the counterproductive implementation of measures, achieving joint Rio Conventions goals more efficiently and effectively.  

This session will highlight newly prepared guidance and case studies developed by SwedBio, the CBD, the UNFCCC, GIZ, IISD, and FEBA on the realization of synergies between climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable development. There will be Q&A opportunities and exchanges between panellists and the audience to discuss strengthening the synergies between the Rio Convention processes and country-level implementation. 

From Plan to Project: The role of NBSAPs and NAPs in scaling nature-based infrastructure projects

15:00–16: 15  |  Nature-Based Infrastructure Global Resource Centre, Global Environment Facility (GEF), and National Adaptation Plan Global Network (NAP GN) 

This session will discuss the potential role of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) in promoting and scaling up nature-based infrastructure (NBI). The panel of experts will explore key questions, including:   

• What opportunities do the NAP and NBSAP processes provide for supporting and scaling NBI?  

• What are some common limitations that must be overcome in the NAP and NBSAP processes to accelerate the implementation of NBI?  

• How can we ensure NBI is gender responsive and socially inclusive—and what role should the NAP and NBSAP processes play to ensure this is achieved?   

Coffee Break

16:15–16:30

The Role of Protected Areas in Climate Adaptation

16:30–17:45  |  IISD, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Africa, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Parks Canada, and the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity

This session will explore challenges and opportunities for protected areas (PAs), Indigenous Peoples’ and community conserved areas and territories (ICCA), and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECM) management. It will also examine their contributions to community and ecosystem resilience and the important role of Indigenous-led spatial management and conservation in achieving targets under the GBF. Panellists from WWF Africa, WCS, Parks Canada, and the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity will discuss on-the-ground experiences in different regions, including both marine and terrestrial protected areas. 

Movies and Marketplace at the COP: Scaling up nature and climate initiatives

18:00–19:30  |  GAC, IISD, GIZ, IUCN, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR) 

For the final session, participants will have an opportunity to kick back with popcorn and watch a series of videos and short presentations on online learning tools developed by IISD, GIZ, IUCN, UNDP, and UNEP PEDRR to scale up nature and climate initiatives. Participants will then be invited to venture through the marketplace, mingle with the organizations, and ask questions, network, and share experiences. 

About

If done unsustainably, urban development is one of the main drivers of climate change and biodiversity loss. Building with nature—rather than against it—is a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative for providing infrastructure services in cities. In this context, the Nature-based Infrastructure (NBI) Global Resource Centre will publish a paper during Biodiversity COP 15 on the value of NBI in the planning and construction of cities that enhance biodiversity instead of destroying it. NBI in cities is, on average, 42% cheaper and creates 36% more value than relying only on grey infrastructure if avoided costs and co-benefits are taken into account. For each dollar invested, NBI in cities generates an average of 15 dollars in return for society, making investments in urban nature economically viable. 

To ensure that we leverage the potential of nature for cities, we need a more systemic, integrated approach to urban development. We must also ensure that the value of nature for infrastructure services becomes an integral part of urban planning, infrastructure project valuations, financing, and delivery.

The post-2020 global biodiversity framework and its targets will drive and inform such integrated approaches to city planning and infrastructure developments.

Event Description

This event featured a panel discussion on how integrated approaches that embrace NBI can unleash great synergies for healthy and sustainable cities. The discussion highlighted the importance of integrating biodiversity impacts into urban planning, and speakers addressed the following questions:  

• Why do we need integrated approaches? 
• What are some examples, and what impacts have they had?  
• What barriers exist, and what solutions have been applied to integrated approaches?  
• What can the Convention on Biological Diversity and Global Framework do to support this? 

Speakers

• Benjamin Simmons
  Director, Sustainable Infrastructure and Nature-based Infrastructure Global Resource Centre, IISD
• Christine Mwangi
  Regional Coordinator, Africa Sustainable Investments and Infrastructure, WWF Kenya
• Joanna Eyquem
  Managing Director, Climate-Resilient Infrastructure, Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation
• Ivo Mulder
  Head, Climate Finance Unit, UN Environment Programme

MODERATOR

• Richard Florizone
  President & CEO, International Institute for Sustainable Development

Click here for the write up of this event by IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin. 

About

Nature-based climate solutions (NBCS) that conserve, restore, and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems hold promise for helping people adapt to the adverse effects of climate change. At the same time, global biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation threaten the capacity of nature to provide essential adaptation services. The Nature for Climate Adaptation Initiative (NCAI)—funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and implemented by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in partnership with a global community of practice on nature-based solutions—enhances capacity for implementation of NBCS, with a focus on rights-based, inclusive approaches.

Event Description

Through presentations and a moderated Q&A, we’ll examine how to generate measurable biodiversity co-benefits through NBCS. The event will include overviews of Canada’s Partnering for Climate initiative, which supports NBCS implementation in developing countries, and the NCAI’s capacity-building tools. A panel of experts will then provide concrete examples of how Traditional Knowledge and diverse knowledge systems can complement Western science, and how to measure biodiversity outcomes from NBCS implementation. A representative from the Convention on Biological Diversity will also discuss the role of rights-based approaches and nature-based solutions in the Global Biodiversity Framework to achieve the vision of living in harmony with nature by 2050.

This session will be the third in a series of events convened by IISD, GAC, and other partner organizations to unveil the challenges and opportunities in scaling up NBCS, addressing the core themes of social inclusion, gender equity, and biodiversity co-benefits.
 

Speakers

• Kerry Max, Global Affairs Canada
• Tristan Tyrrell, Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat 
• Onel Masardule, Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform Facilitative Working Group, UNFCCC
• Dr. Viviana Figueroa, International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity 
• Dr. Shannon Hagerman, Social-Ecological Systems Research Group, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia  
• Katie Critchlow, NatureMetrics
• Eugenia Arguedas Montezuma, Ministry of Environment and Energy, Costa Rica
• Alec Crawford, IISD

Moderator: Veronica Lo, IISD

Following the Geneva Peace Week 2022, at this November edition of the SDG Community Coffee, hosted in partnership with the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), and UN Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund, we will explore the interlinkages between Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 on Peace, Just and Inclusive Societies and SDG 5 on Gender Equality.

This event will also explore challenges and opportunities related to gender-responsive data collection and data disaggregation and how practitioners can enhance synergies between these two goals toward contributing to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustaining Peace Agenda.

Speakers:

• Welcome remarks by DCAF
• The role of Good Security Sector Governance in peacebuilding—Richard Steyne, DCAF
• Gender-sensitive data collection—Achille Sommo, UN Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund

Please register by November 23 at the latest to save your seat.

Background

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for transformative action by all countries to achieve peace and prosperity for all people. Within this framework, SDG 16 on Peace, Just and Inclusive Societies formally links development with peace and security and recognizes how inequality and poor governance give rise to violence, insecurity, and injustice. The goal aims to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.”

Good governance of the security sector means that the security needs of all people are considered, and that all people must have equal access to justice. Measures to ensure gender equality are integral to the effective rule of law, ensuring access to justice for all, and institutions being effective, accountable, and inclusive. SDG 5 in the 2030 Agenda aims to “achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.”

To be effective, the security and justice sector must provide services that respond to the distinct security and justice needs of women and girls. To be accountable and inclusive, the security and justice sector must recognize the agency of women and girls and ensure their inclusion in security and justice institutions and decision making.

Promoting the integrated nature of the 2030 Agenda, DCAF and UN Women will share insights on how SDG 5 and SDG 16 can be pursued jointly in practice and how practitioners can enhance synergies between the two goals. The event will also be an opportunity to discuss both the opportunities and challenges of gender-responsive data collection by the security and justice sector in implementing the SDGs.

This UN Biodiversity Conference COP 15 side event is organized by the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED). IISD manages CCICED's Secretariat International Support Office.

The event intends to:

1. Encourage the sharing research, expertise, and senior-level engagement to seek synergies for the successful implementation of biodiversity and climate policy frameworks in the broader context of south-south and international cooperation.

2. Highlight the achievements of CCICED over the past 30 years and engage broader stakeholders for input to ensure future success on biodiversity conservation.

Background

Over 80% of proposed actions in the revised nationally determined contributions (NDCs) submitted by African countries are pegged on funding from international sources. Climate adaptation has been given top priority in many of these NDCs due to the high vulnerability of the region to climate impacts. The current funding directed to Africa—currently estimated at about USD 50 billion per year—is insufficient to meet the region’s needs, both in quantity and quality.

The United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Adaptation Gap Report 2022, however, found that annual adaptation costs for developing countries will be between USD 140 billion and USD 300 billion by 2030 and USD 280 billion and USD 500 billion by 2050, leaving a wide gap between what has been offered and what is needed. Private sector and development banks play an important role in bridging the gap through innovative financial instruments. Countries are embracing innovative financing instruments, and there is a need for a deeper understanding of these experiences.

About

This event will share insights from multilateral development banks (MDBs) and bilateral donors. It will highlight two projects funded by the International Development Research Centre:

1. The NDC finance project brings together a network of people from 21 African countries who have been part of a leadership training program and have strategic experiences from their countries on NDC financing needs, challenges, and ideas to overcome them.
2. Mobilizing financing from MDBs.

The event will involve a panel discussion on frameworks, instruments, experiences, best practices, and capacity needs for African countries to develop and implement innovative and inclusive financing strategies for scaling up adaptation actions on the ground.

To learn more, visit the MDB Pavilion event page here. 

Members of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Global Network Secretariat will be at the centre of the action: engaging with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) processes, connecting with country representatives, and highlighting our resources and support.  

The NAP Global Network’s engagements at COP27 will focus on these topics: 

• The shift from planning to implementation in the NAP process 
• Monitoring, evaluation, and learning for adaptation as part of the NAP process 
• Gender-responsive and socially inclusive NAP processes
• Vertical integration in the NAP process 

The NAP Global Network Secretariat team will be engaging in discussions around the Global Stocktake and the Global Goal on Adaptation, as well as tracking adaptation-related negotiation items with a view of highlighting opportunities to make links to NAP processes. 

Explore the schedule of events here.

Fossil fuels are the primary cause of human-induced climate change, causing pollution and premature deaths and leading to other negative externalities, such as urban congestion and biodiversity loss. Fossil fuel subsidies are often intended to protect the poor, but most subsidy benefits tend to be captured by higher-income households, exacerbating inequality. Governments may also be constrained by subsidies afforded to the electricity sector that have similar fiscal and economic impacts but deter investments in renewable energy sources, which can be a significant growth dampener.

Due to the current geopolitical and energy crisis, many countries have stalled progress on fossil fuel subsidy reform or even reimplemented fossil fuel subsidies. Despite fossil fuel subsidies undermining the credibility of public climate commitments, reducing perceived energy transition risks and limiting financial sector action, governments are using tax breaks, price caps, and other measures to help consumers cope with the surging energy prices.

As coal and natural gas-fired generation determine peak electricity prices, power costs are also reaching new heights in many parts of the world. These developments call for prompt action to mitigate immediate impacts while adapting to climate-resilient, sustainable energy systems.

At COP 27, the United Nations Development Programme convened a dialogue with the International Institute for Sustainable Development and the Friends of Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform. Currently, there is "no single recipe" for successful subsidy reform. This side event brings together governments and experts to discuss avenues for collective action and consider strategies for addressing the energy price crisis while also working toward the long-term fossil fuel subsidy reform and clean energy transition goals that will strengthen the global resolve for the Paris Agreement. 
 

This event will present new research by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) on feasible 1.5°C-aligned energy scenarios and their implications for various sectors to inform policy interventions. The event connects international research with policy developments currently happening in Canada, including the proposed cap on emissions from the oil and gas sector and clean electricity regulations, with a view to bolstering the level of ambition in domestic federal and provincial policies. This research also provides clear guidelines for decision-makers to set their policies in line with the best available science. 

This event will include a discussion of how energy scenarios guide public investments internationally and in Canada to clarify how Canada’s overseas investments could align with ambitious, Paris-aligned scenarios while supporting developing country priorities.

Agenda

Opening Remarks

Caroline Brouillette, National Policy Director, Climate Action Network Canada

Speaker Interventions

• Olivier Bois von Kursk, Policy Analyst, IISD
• Julia Levin, National Climate Program Manager, Environmental Defence
• Ina-Maria Shikongo, Climate Activist, Fridays for Future Windhoek
• Catherine Abreu, Founder and Executive Director, Destination Zero

Moderated Q&A