The world is warming, habitats are being lost and species are facing extinction. These are all aspects of the same problem, unsustainable development. Our founder Fritz Schumacher spoke about this in the book “Small is beautiful”:A single-minded pursuit of wealth – in short, a self-fulfilling attitude to life in materialism – does not fit into this world, because there is no principle of limitation within it, while the environment in which it is placed is strictly limited..” Simply put, the world does not have enough resources to meet our insatiable demands. Unsustainable development and the loss of biodiversity and the effects of climate change are not felt equally. We desperately need to find a better way to support communities affected by these catastrophic effects. But how?
At Practical Action, we believe the first step should be recognition. We must recognize that biodiversity loss, climate change, lack of access to resources and inequality are deeply interconnected and limit opportunities for many. We must therefore adopt a development approach to address these ‘triple crises’ by developing integrated solutions that improve well-being while protecting and restoring ecosystems.
Strengthening climate and biodiversity linkages
UN summits on biodiversity and climate change provide a key opportunity to shape global biodiversity and climate goals so that they are aligned, so we ensure that climate change solutions support rather than deplete biodiversity, such as reforestation. The first step is to prioritize activities that protect ecosystems as outlined in National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) for countries as part of the Global Biodiversity Framework and to create indicators that track how climate solutions affect biodiversity as part of the groundbreaking Paris Agreement. It is part of the Global Adaptation Goal (GGA). With the Climate COP (UNFCCC COP29) on the horizon, strong commitments from the Biodiversity COP (COP16) will send a unified message across conventions emphasizing why synergy is needed to address these interrelated crises.
Read more about the two UN COPs and why it’s important for us to be there.
To do this, we need to understand what causes these problems and what we can do to adapt to our new reality.
The role of finance to unlock change
Adequate funding is required for both climate adaptation, loss and damage, and biodiversity conservation. At COP16, countries were asked to submit updated national biodiversity plans (NBSAPs). At the start of COP16, only 44 countries (mostly developed economies) had submitted updated plans, but an additional 119 countries had submitted updated national targets aligned with the Global Biodiversity Framework. This clearly demonstrates the desire to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework, but developing countries will need support to fully develop national biodiversity plans (NBSAPs).
Adequate financing is essential to help communities adapt to conserve biological diversity and to finance the losses and harms people suffer from biodiversity loss and climate change. Yet there is a staggering lack of funding for biodiversity ($700 billion a year) and millions, if not trillions, of unmet climate needs. COP16 committed rich nations to commit resources with a goal of mobilizing at least $20 billion annually by 2025. Since most of the world’s biodiversity is in developing countries, they require the bulk of support. However, pledges by developed countries at COP16 fell far short of what was needed. Importantly, this funding is more than a number – it’s a lifeline for frontline communities, especially indigenous and indigenous groups, giving them the resources they need to protect lands, waters and ecosystems on their own terms. Empowering these communities recognizes their important role in biodiversity conservation and strengthens their contribution to a sustainable planet.
Adequate funding will also be on the agenda at COP29 to be held in Baku. New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) Negotiations will be held to set a new target for global climate finance, replacing the previous $100 billion agreed in 2009. This new target should take into account the scale of the growing problem and include mitigation, adaptation and financing. to remedy loss and damage.
To unlock funds from governments, donors and the private sector, we all need:
- Recognize that this is an emergency and act accordingly. As the Covid pandemic hits the global community, we need a similar scale of urgency to address the interconnected climate and biodiversity crises, mobilizing billions in funding.
- Keep money flowing to ensure it gets where it needs to go quickly. The best way to do this is to provide budget support to countries with direct community access.
- Facilitate collaboration and get started. Start by realizing what is urgent and where there is untapped potential. Funding local community groups and local civil society activities can have a direct impact in a cost-effective manner.
- Stop thinking of it as charity, but instead think of it as a shared investment in a better future for people and the planet. The returns for every dollar invested will be significant.
Putting People and Nature First: A Commitment to Practical Action
We must also recognize the crucial role that local communities and Indigenous Peoples play as custodians of their environment and their contribution to protecting our planet. We must also give them the opportunity to choose, and give them the necessary funding and support to do so. The critical role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and the role they play in protecting biodiversity was recognized at COP16. This resulted in the adoption of a new work program and the creation of a permanent body for indigenous peoples to consult on UN conservation decisions.
Proven solutions led by indigenous and local communities around the world show us that big changes can start small. From pilot projects delivering measurable benefits, we know there is a way forward. However, to scale up these successes, countries must go beyond promises and ensure that resources reach the local level for implementation at scale.
Our collaborative approach
At Practical Action, we believe in solutions based on the well-being of both people and the planet. Our work links healthy ecosystems to resilient communities by addressing the root causes of biodiversity loss while supporting sustainable local livelihoods. Beyond advocacy, we implement practical solutions that reduce poverty and raise local and indigenous knowledge, empowering communities to lead efforts to conserve and protect biodiversity and address climate impacts.
Our approach involves bringing together all players – from governments to frontline communities, whose leadership and insights are critical components, but whose actions are essential to achieving meaningful results. Practical Action’s commitment to cooperation and mutual respect creates pathways for shared understanding and real progress.
By connecting key actors such as local organizations, small farmers, governments and the private sector, we promote sustainable and economically viable practices that empower communities to build a sustainable future. If it works for them financially and is consistent with their existing practices informed by culture and beliefs, it will lead to the systemic changes necessary for impact at scale.
Find out more about our Biodiversity Landscape Fund Andes Amazon project: BLF – Biodiverse Landscapes Fund Andes Amazon – Practical Action
The road ahead
The UN’s global goals aim to provide common shared goals to ensure healthy and vibrant people and the planet. The global goals provide a north star around which individual actions can be aligned and implemented in partnership with local communities, indigenous peoples and other key stakeholders, recognizing their governance structures and rights. Conservation and climate adaptation cannot succeed without prioritizing the needs and perspectives of indigenous peoples and local communities, and this must be translated into activities that promote their leadership and direct access to finance.
UN CBD COP16 and UNFCCC COP29 are key steps on the way to COP30; Next year, the UN climate conference will be held in Belem do Para, Brazil. This is an opportunity to align the commitments of the two COPs with tangible results. This requires strategic alliances to drive global collaboration that enable sustainable practices and increase funding for communities. This will enable them to strengthen their resilience to the challenges of conservation, development and climate change.
This will not be easy to achieve. Important challenges such as sustainable deforestation, the expansion of industrial agriculture, and new investments in fossil fuel exploration stem from harmful economic subsidies. Only through strong alliances and informed collective action can we protect the environment and build a resilient, prosperous future for all, creating a lasting impact for future generations and the planet.
