Sectors and Themes
Nature-based Solutions and Ecosystem Services
Scale
National
Expertise Level
Generalist
Practitioner
Resource Type
Guidance and Frameworks
Language
English
Developer or Source
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
International Climate Initiative (IKI)
Healthy and resilient ecosystems are vital for reducing our vulnerability to climate change impacts; they are also important carbon sinks 2 and at the same time enhance people’s quality of life. Ecosystem-based approaches thus offer multiple benefits for adaptation, mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and human well-being. The restoration of wetlands, for example, can enhance water storage capacity, reduce flooding risks and serve as a carbon sink, whilst also providing habitats for migratory birds and aquatic or terrestrial animals as well as an additional source of income through fisheries and other aquatic animals (OAAs).
In this paper, looking at the national level, we argue that the update of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – which often include new and ambitious efforts to adopt ecosystem-based approaches, also referred to as nature-based solutions (NbS) – offers a window of opportunity to foster climate-biodiversity synergies.