This brief was prepared by The Nature Conservancy and UNSW Center for Sustainable Development Reform in 2023.
Forthcoming revisions of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action
Plans (NBSAPs), Nationally Determined Contributions (ND Cs), and
National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) present opportunities to strengthen
links between national action on biodiversity and climate change.
This brief details the results of a recent analysis conduction by CSDR and TNC, which examined NDCs, NAPs, and NBSAPs from 18 countries. The analysis revealed a significant gap in effectively aligning these plans.
Identifying the gaps and synergies enabled researchers to make four key recommendations to strenghten links and co-benefits between NBSAPs, NDCs and NAPs. These recommendations include:
- Establish cross-cutting principles and structures to guide the updating of planning instruments (NBSAPs, NDCs, NAPs, and Low Emission Development Strategies) to maximize synergies between biodiversity and climate.
- Prioritize nature-based solutions (NBS) within all relevant omponents of NBSAPs, NDCs, and NAPS.
- Utilize area-based conservation targets to deliver on both GBF and climate commitments.
- Use national biodiversity and climate finance plans to align investment in biodiversity and climate policies and strategies.
As countries update their NDCs, NAPs and NBSAPs, they must pioneer new approaches to capitalize on synergies between climate and biodiversity action. By adopting the recommendations outlined in this briefing note, governments can foster greater integration, coherence, and effectiveness in their efforts to address the intertwined crises of biodiversity and climate change.
Authors: Eliza Northrop, Ben Milligan, Phil James, Rebekah Mawson, Carolina Hazin, Suzanne Ozment, and Ximena Apestegui.
