Briefing on opportunities for climate-biodiversity synergies across international agendas

This briefing provides recommendations to enhance synergies between climate and biodiversity international agendas, specifically targeting the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), UNFCCC COP29, and COP30. It identifies five key opportunities: improving monitoring indicators for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), aligning national biodiversity and climate plans, increasing collaboration between scientific bodies (IPBES and IPCC), establishing a joint work program among the Rio Conventions, and formalizing the role of CBD Action Agenda High-Level Champions.

• There are significant gaps in the monitoring framework for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), specifically regarding Targets 8 and 19(e). Target 8's binary indicator fails to address the impacts of climate action and ocean acidification on biodiversity, while Target 19(e), which concerns the optimization of finance synergies for climate and biodiversity, currently has no available indicators to track progress.
• The timing of revised National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) presents a strategic opportunity for national coordination. The briefing recommends that COP16 call for these instruments to be prepared in a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to ensure coherence and alignment in their planning and implementation.
• Collaboration between the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been largely informal and practically nonexistent. The briefing suggests that COP16 invite the IPCC to work jointly with IPBES on assessments related to biodiversity and climate change to fill critical knowledge gaps.
• The briefing proposes the establishment of a joint work program between the three Rio Conventions (CBD, UNFCCC, and UNCCD) to move beyond limited secretariat-level cooperation. Such a program would aim to integrate national and international efforts, focusing on aligned NBSAPs, NDCs, and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), as well as the protection of natural carbon reservoirs.
• To catalyze action from non-state actors, the briefing recommends formalizing the role of CBD Action Agenda High-Level Champions through a COP decision. This would mirror the UNFCCC's High-Level Champions model, providing a mandate to promote synergistic climate-biodiversity action and coordinating with UNFCCC counterparts.

APA

E., F. F., X., B.-T., & J.P., S. S. (2024). Briefing on opportunities for climate-biodiversity synergies across international agendas. Transforma. https://transforma.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Briefing-on-opportunities-for-climate-biodiversity-synergies-across-international-agendas.pdf

Chicago

E., Fernández Fernández,, Bénard-Tertrais, X., and Sierra Suárez, J.P. Briefing on opportunities for climate-biodiversity synergies across international agendas. Transforma, 2024. https://transforma.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Briefing-on-opportunities-for-climate-biodiversity-synergies-across-international-agendas.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=E. |first1=Fernández Fernández, |last2=X. |first2=Bénard-Tertrais, |last3=J.P. |first3=Sierra Suárez, |title=Briefing on opportunities for climate-biodiversity synergies across international agendas |publisher=Transforma |date=2024 |url=https://transforma.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Briefing-on-opportunities-for-climate-biodiversity-synergies-across-international-agendas.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{e2024briefing, author = {E., Fernández Fernández, and X., Bénard-Tertrais, and J.P., Sierra Suárez,}, title = {{Briefing on opportunities for climate-biodiversity synergies across international agendas}}, institution = {Transforma}, year = {2024}, url = {https://transforma.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Briefing-on-opportunities-for-climate-biodiversity-synergies-across-international-agendas.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }