Biodiversity and climate change: an overview of EU policies and some challenges and opportunities

Transcription

1 Biodiversity and climate change: an overview of EU policies and some challenges and opportunities Bonn, 12 April 2011 Karin Zaunberger European Commission DG Environment Biodiversity Unit

2 Biodiversity decline and climate change: two sides of the same coin HUMAN ACTION CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION (flood and coastal protection, greening of the cites) OTHER DRIVERS habitat destruction, IAS, pollution, overexploitation fragmentation MITIGATION (carbon sequestration, carbon sink, biomass production) (-) (-) BIODIVERSITY (+) ECOSYSTEM SERVICES (+) (-) (+) HUMAN WELL-BEING ECONOMIC & SOCIAL IMPACTS

3 MORE BIODIVERSITY - LESS CLIMATE CHANGE Flux of anthropogenic CO CO 2 flux (Pg y -1 ) fossil fuel emissions deforestation atmospheric CO 2 land ocean ~7.6 ~1.5 ~4.1 ~2.8 ~2.2 Sink Source Le Quéré, unpublished; Canadell et al. 2007, PNAS Time (y)

4 MORE CLIMATE CHANGE LESS BIODIVERSITY

5 MORE CLIMATE CHANGE LESS BIODIVERSITY Reference: Hoegh-Guldberg et al. 2007

6 LESS BIODIVERSITY MORE CLIMATE CHANGE The decline in natural carbon sinks has likely caused an increase in the airborne fraction of CO 2 by 5% over the last 50 years. Le Quéré et al. 2009, Nature Geoscience

7 LESS BIODIVERSITY MORE CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS Cockermouth, Cumbria, Nov09 Near Brussels, Belgium 14 November 2010 Drought, Spain frequent! Mudslides, Sicily, Feb2010

8 therefore It is impossible to solve biodiversity loss without addressing climate change It is equally impossible to solve climate change without addressing biodiversity and ecosystem services

9 Convenient Solutions to an Inconvenient Truth: Ecosystem-based Approaches to Climate Change World bank CBD AHTEG; Natural Solutions WWF,IUCN; UNEP; UNDP; Discussion Paper; June Working with Nature is Part of the Solution!

10 CBD COP 10 Nagoya, Strategic Plan 20 targets for 2020 including restoration target Decision on Biodiversity and Climate Change highlights the role and multiple benefits of ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation and mitigation invites Parties "to consider the role of biodiversity and associated ecosystem services when climate-proofing / enhancing the climate resilience of investments, projects and programmes and to develop such strategies for biodiversity-related investments, projects and programmes". Decision on Protected Areas highlights the role of protected areas with regards to climate change adaptation and mitigation explores financial and technical assistance through climate-related financial mechanisms and others adopted by 193 Parties

11 UNFCCC COP 16 in Cancun Cancun Agreement : Adaptation REDD+

12 Harnessing synergies Promoting collaboration Rio + 20 Green Economy; Environmental Governance

13 European Policies (1) Biodiversity Policy BAP, EU Post 2010 Biodiversity Strategy, Strategy on Green Infrastructure (2011) BEST EU Nature Directives Natura 2000 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Agro environmental schemes; ongoing CAP reform Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Ongoing CFP reform ecosystem approach

14 BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY coming soon May 2011 Rationale for targets ST6-Contribution to Global Biodiversity ST2- Restoration Green Infrastructure Ecosystems service Habitats D ST3- Unsustainable Land Use AGRICULTURE FORESTRY Soil FD Birds D ST4-Overexploitation FISHERIES ST1- Nature Conservation ST5-INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES Marine SFD Water FD Pollution Climate Change Building (on) good science

15 RECREATION GOODS e.g. TIMBER INCREASE QUALITY OF LIFE MITIGATION SPACE FOR NATURE FLOOD PROTECTION Trees & Green spaces Green roofs Green walls help to cope with hot weather through shading & evaporation cooling, help save energy

16 Investing in ecosystem-based approaches - green infrastructure provides business and job opportunities contributes to green economy and sustainable development contributes to maintaining and restoring healthy ecosystems promotes creativity discover undiscovered solutions valorises traditional knowledge helps building trust and partnerships brings multiple benefits

17 European Policies (2) Climate Change Policy Renewable Energy Directive, Energy Package 20/20/20 EU Emissions Trading Scheme Roadmap to a Low Carbon Economy by 2050 White Paper on Adaptation Green Infrastructure Working with Nature Ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation and mitigation Regional Cohesion Policy Structural Funds, Infrastructure, Spatial Planning

18 European Policies (3) EU 2020 inclusive, green and sustainable growth headline target on climate change Resource Efficiency Flagship Low carbon economy include ecosystems and ecosystem-based approaches NEXT FINANCIAL PERIOD ( ) mainstreaming of climate change and biodiversity in other sectors better integration avoiding perverse subsidies climate-proofing of EU-funded investments

19 summing up The present poly-crisis needs solidarity and swift implementation of integrated measures, such as Ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation and mitigation, which are cost-efficient and ready for use bring multiple benefits complement technological approaches should be an integral part of the overall adaptation and mitigation effort. Promoting Green Infrastructure - working with nature - is an investment (rather than a cost); this should be recognised on international, EU and national levels.

20 mobilise to get there in time step up policy development and implementation encourage private investments, business action and involvement foster creativity, solidarity and partnerships broaden our knowledge discover undiscovered solutions act according to state of the art knowledge

21 The choice is ours. It will be made by our generation, but it will affect life on earth for all generations to come. Lester R. BROWN author of Plan B & World on the Edge Thank you for your attention