1. Setting the Scene Karin Zaunberger DG ENV B2
Consultation/Interest Group on Biodiversity and Climate Change
1st meeting - 26/11/08
Setting the Scene
Karin Zaunberger
DG ENV B2

2. Content Rationale Draft Mandate General issues
Climate change-biodiversity nexus
Draft Mandate
Output
Tasks
Vision
General issues
Collaboration
Roadmap

3. Biodiversity decline and climate change: two sides of the same coin
ADAPTATION
(alternative species
composition delivering
required services)
HUMAN ACTION
CLIMATE CHANGE
(-)
(-)
HUMAN
WELL-BEING
ECONOMIC &
SOCIAL
IMPACTS
BIODIVERSITY
OTHER DRIVERS
-habitat destruction
IAS
fragmentation
(-)
(+)
(+)
(+)
MITIGATION
(carbon sequestration,
water retention,
biomass
production)
ECOSYSTEM
SERVICES

4. Some facts
Positive feedbacks from ecosystems to the climate system are significant
They are not incorporated in the current climate models, because of the high uncertainties
But there is general agreement that the main feedbacks will be through increase in soil respiration under increased temperature (e.g. in the arctic potential to add 200 ppm by 2100)
Peatlands are also not explicitly included in global climate models and therefore predictions of future climate change may be underestimates

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

6. Global CO2 Budgeting 2000-2006 ~7.6 ~1.5 ~4.1 ~2.8 ~2.2 Source
fossil fuel emissions
~7.6
Source
~1.5
deforestation
CO2 flux (Pg y-1)
atmospheric CO2
~4.1
Sink
land
~2.8
ocean
~2.2
Time (y)
Le Quéré, unpublished; Canadell et al. 2007, PNAS

7. What is at stake ?
Climate change aggravates increasingly threats such as pollution, habitat loss and fragmentation
Climate change impacts on nature conservation, e.g. Natura 2000
Long-term ability of ecosystems to regulate climate compromised by continuing loss of biodiversity

8. What can we do ?
Identify and implement measures to help nature to adapt
Valorise Natura 2000
Promote the potential of « co-benefit approaches »
Toyako Declaration
Poznan Council Conclusion
Integrate biodiversity aspects in climate change policy and negotiations

9. Draft mandate - OUTPUT
Strategy paper on biodiversity and climate change with a view to frame biodiversity and climate change policy for post 2010 including issues of Natura 2000 (N2K) and ecological connectivity and the role of biodiversity and ecosystem services with regards to combating climate change
Fall 2009

10. Draft mandate - TASKS (A)
Taking stock
Climate change impacts on
Biodiversity in the EU in general
The achievement of the 2010 target
The N2K network and the species and habitats covered by the network
Impact of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures – best practice
Examples for climate change measures for nature conservation

11. Draft mandate - TASKS (B)
Moving ahead
Measures for biodiversity
Enhancing connectivity, promotion of green infrastructure, adapted management of N2K sites, operational and policy responses
Assess adaptation/mitigation potential, suggest measures to increase ecosystem resilience
Analyse conflicts arising from climate change measures and suggest solutions

12. Draft mandate – VISION (1)
Gather examples for « co-benefits »
Activities for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, which contribute to combating climate change
Maintenance/restoration of wetlands, floodplains, forests
Greening of the cities
Etc..
Activities in other sectors, which contribute to conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity
Agri-environmental measures
Sustainable forestry, fishery
Ecotourism
Etc

13. Draft mandate – VISION (2)
Explore future prospects acknowledging the climate change- biodiversity nexus
Identify and promote synergy measures in different sectors
Encourage uptake of biodiversity and ecosystem aspects in climate change negotiations in particular the potential of co-benefits
Encouraging ongoing discussion:
REDD, Global Forest Carbon Mechanism (GFCM)
Toyako Declaration including need for co-benefits
What about a ”Global Ecosystem Carbon Mechanism”, with GFCM as pilot ?

14. Collaboration Avoid duplication, concentrate on added value
Other Groups
CBD AHTEG
Expert Group on Biodiversity and Climate Change under the Bern Convention
Relevant expert groups under UNFCCC …
Experiences on national level
Other Stakeholders, Researchers

15. We are not starting from scratch
Taking stock
Climate change impacts on
Biodiversity in the EU in general - EEA report, ALARM
The achievement of the 2010 target - BAP report
The N2K network and the species and habitats covered by the network - draft report contractor
Impact of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures – best practice - MACIS report
Examples for climate change measures for nature conservation - YOUR INPUT

16. Other general issues
Your motivation, investment and commitment are essential for the success of this group
3-4 meetings per year
Work to be done between the meetings
CIRCA site for exchange of information

17. Roadmap year 1
Today: agree on mandate, exchange experience, establish drafting group
Drafting group develops draft skeleton, group members provide input A
February 2009: main discussion focus on taking stock, agree on draft skeleton for the strategy paper
Drafting group incorporates taking stock (A), group members provide input B
April 2009: main discussion focus on moving ahead, results of taking stock incorporated in draft strategy paper
Drafting group incorporates moving ahead (B), draft distributed before the meeting
July 2009: discussion on draft strategy paper and vision
Drafting group further elaborates the strategy paper
October 2009: finalise draft strategy paper, possible input to “high level conference on biodiversity and climate change” autumn 2009 according to the Triple Presidency (FR-CZ-SE) programme

18. Next Steps
Establish drafting group
Date for the next meeting