The document deals with the potential of Central European forests for carbon storage in a global context and highlights their important, but often underestimated, role in mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change. (more…)

Deforestation in Colombia rose by 35 percent in 2024 from a 23-year low the previous year, driven by an increase in the Amazon region, Environment Minister Susana Muhamad said on Thursday. The announcement comes days before the country chairs the UN's nature talks in Rome next week.

Deforestation reached 1,070 square kilometers (413 square miles) last year after falling to just over 792 square kilometers in 2023 from around 1,235 square kilometers in 2022.

"In 2024, we witnessed an increase in medium-sized areas of deforestation that involve operations paid for by big capital," Mohamed told reporters in Bogota, pointing to the involvement of organized crime more than rural communities. (Sebastian Rodriguez, more on climatechangenews.com)

At the COP15 biodiversity summit in December 2022, almost every country in the world committed to a new global agreement to “halt and reverse” biodiversity loss by 2030 and “restore harmony with nature” by 2050.

Within Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), countries have committed to releasing new national plans to achieve a range of goals and targets.

These plans are known as national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAP). (More at carbonbrief.org)

This document, “A Water Resilience Strategy”, is a position paper by Water Europe (WE) aimed at supporting innovation, research and development of water technologies in Europe. The document highlights the need (more…)

New study suggests that reintroducing wolves to the Scottish Highlands could have a major impact on reducing carbon emissions and restoring native forestsThe research, published in the journal Ecological (more…)

The Mercedes Formula 1 team has joined forces with nature-based carbon developer Chestnut Carbon to support high-quality carbon removal projects in the southeastern United States.

The first initiative, aimed at delivering “effective climate projects that will increase the rejuvenation of degraded land,” will involve restoring 200 hectares of degraded agricultural land into living, biodiverse forests through the planting of more than 260,000 native trees. ( More on formula1.com)

Document is working to integrate biodiversity into urban planning in Europe, with the aim of reversing the decline of natureIt highlights the importance of binding targets for governments and the need for a comprehensive review of the spatial planning process. (more…)

Environmental crime causes significant damage to the environment, public health and the global economy. However, the number of successfully prosecuted cases remains low, sanctions are not deterrent and cross-border cooperation is insufficient. (more…)

The publication addresses the importance of biodiversity for forest resilience, particularly in the context of climate change and increasing disturbances. It highlights how the diversity of tree and plant species strengthens the forest's ability to (more…)

The world faces unprecedented loss of biodiversity and deterioration of nature, which has serious implications for the global economy and human well-being. Previous and current approaches to protect nature failed in stopping or reversing this negative trend. Therefore, it is transformational change urgently needed to achieve a vision in which biodiversity is valued, protected and used wisely, ensuring ecosystem services and a healthy planet for all.

What is transformational change?

Transformational change is fundamental and systemic reorganization within technical, economic and social factors, including paradigms, goals and values. It is not only a change in strategies and activities, but also a change in the way people perceive the world, structures and practicesThis change focuses on deep causes of biodiversity loss, which are:

• disconnection from nature and dominance over it and over people,
• concentration of power and wealth,
• prioritizing short-term, individual, and material gains.

Principles of transformational change

Four key principles are essential for successful transformational change:

1. equality and justice,
2. pluralism and inclusion,
3. respectful and reciprocal relationships between people and nature,
4. adaptive learning and action.

These principles are important for addressing the root causes of biodiversity loss and for change process management in a way that is sensitive to unexpected or negative impacts.

Challenges and obstacles to transformational change

Transformational change is facing systemic, persistent and pervasive challengesThe main obstacles include:

• dominance relationships over nature and people,
• economic and political inequalities,
• inadequate policies and inappropriate institutions,
• unsustainable patterns of consumption and production,
• limited access to clean technologies and uncoordinated knowledge and innovation systems.

These challenges manifest as barriersthat hinder transformative change. In addition, powerful groups with personal interests they use resources to protect their interests, thereby slowing down transformational change.

Strategies and actions for transformational change

To accelerate transformational change, five key strategies and associated actions:

1. Urban protection and restoration valuable for nature and people.
2. Implementing system changes in the sectors that contribute most to biodiversity loss.
3. Transformation of economic systems for the benefit of nature and justice.
4. Transformation of management systems so that they are integrated, inclusive, responsible and adaptive.
5. Shifting social views and valuesto recognize and prioritize the fundamental interconnectedness between humans and nature.

Key steps for transformational change:

• Creating shared positive visions: It is important to create visions that recognize the interconnectedness of social and ecological systems. Visions should include diverse values and perspectives and should support indigenous knowledge.
• Cooperation and partnerships: Transformative change requires collaboration between diverse actors, including governments, businesses, civil society, indigenous peoples, and local communities.
• Political support: Governments have a key role in promoting policies and regulations that support nature conservation and sustainability.
• Changing economic paradigms: It is necessary to reorient economic systems to prioritize nature and social justice over private interests.
• Education and awareness: Education and communication are essential for changing societal views and values.

Examples of transformational change

There are many initiatives that have transformative potential. For example:

• Marine reserves, which are managed jointly by fishermen, scientists and government, are yielding positive results in terms of biodiversity conservation and local economies.
• Agroecological transitionsthat promote biodiversity and justice in food systems.
• Technological innovations using financial technologies for nature conservation and tree planting.
• Community conservation projects which are based on the values of coexistence, dignity and human rights.

Transformational change is urgent, necessary and challenging, but achievableTo save biodiversity and secure a sustainable future, it is essential to adopt a new way of thinking and acting. This requires joint efforts of all stakeholders in society a determination to make fundamental changes in our values, structures and practices. Despite the obstacles, there are many examples of transformational change which prove that positive results for nature and people are possible. The key to success is determination, cooperation, and faith into a better future for our planet. Spring

Scientific study, which deals with the impact of different climate change mitigation strategies on biodiversitySpecifically, it examines impact of forest and bioenergy strategies on the ranges of 14,234 vertebrate speciesThe study uses extensive datasets on habitat, climate and species occurrence to model how these strategies affect available habitat and climatic conditions for different species.

Methodology

1. Data collection and preparation:
   • Obtaining data on biodiversity, climate, land use and other supporting data.
   • Using species occurrence data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and IUCN.
   • Data cleaning and processing, including removing records outside the expected range and filtering fossil records.
   • Creating two sets of occurrence records for birds: "breeding" and "non-breeding".
   • Obtaining global climate variables from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMPIP6) and IPCC.
   • Using the IUCN Global Habitat Map, which modifies the 2015 Copernicus landcover data using biodiversity records.
   • Projection of changes in habitat composition by 2050 based on fractional covers of 32 plant functional types.
   • Obtaining maps of current carbon stocks in plant biomass and soil.
   • Using maps of maximum tree cover percentage, global biomes, and sedimentary basins.
2. Creating range maps (AOH) for each species:
   • Modeling the bioclimatic envelope of each species using MaxEnt species distribution models (SDMs).
   • Combining bioclimatic envelope with habitat data and species affinities to habitats to create AOH maps.
   • Consideration of different species spread scenarios, including zero, limited and ideal spread.
3. Modeling the impacts of habitat conversion caused by LBMS:
   • Assessing the impacts of reforestation and afforestation and bioenergy crops.
   • Identifying pixels that are biophysically capable of supporting trees through natural growth.
   • Excluding pixels where carbon gains would be offset by changes in albedo.
   • Distinguishing between reforestation and afforestation based on historical habitats.
   • Modeling the impacts of bioenergy crops with an emphasis on grasslands.
   • Updating AOH maps for each species after applying afforestation and bioenergy strategies.
4. Calculating the impacts of LBMS on climate mitigation:
   • Calculating the amount of atmospheric carbon removed by afforestation and carbon sequestration from bioenergy crops.
   • Taking into account carbon emissions associated with fertilizing bioenergy crops.
   • Calculation of the carbon benefit of replacing fossil fuels with bioenergy.
   • Modeling carbon sequestration through carbon capture and storage (CCS) in geological reservoirs.
   • Converting carbon stocks into changes in average global warming levels and regional changes in bioclimatic variables.
   • Calculation of changes in AOH of each species depending on changes in bioclimatic variables.
5. Aggregation of results:
   • Presenting results at the species level, including logarithmic ratio of AOH changes.
   • Calculation of spatially specific changes in AOH, averaged across all species.
   • Identifying which LBMS is better for biodiversity in a given pixel.

Main findings

• Afforestation it has a positive impact for some species, while it has a negative impact for others.
• Bioenergy crops they have the potential to mitigate climate change, but can have a negative impact on biodiversity.
• The impact of forestry and bioenergy strategies varies by species and region.
• Climate change can significantly affect species ranges regardless of LBMS implementation.
• The study highlights the importance taking into account the various influences of LBMS (habitat conversion and climate mitigation) and their mutual influence.

Sources of uncertainty

• Using a single SDM model (MaxEnt) and the same predictor variables for all species.
• Uncertainty in maps of global forest growth potential, carbon sequestration, and albedo.
• Simplified modeling of climate impact on species.
• Uncertainty arising from modelling species distribution and adaptation.
• Lack of details about how species use different habitats.

Conclusion

The study provides a comprehensive overview of the impacts of forest and bioenergy strategies on biodiversityThe results show that it is important take into account complex influences LBMS for different species and regions, rather than focusing only on global indicators. It is necessary carefully consider trade-offs between climate mitigation and biodiversity protection when deciding on the implementation of LBMS. Further research should focus on improving models and taking into account other factors influencing the impact of LBMS on biodiversity. Spring

Glossary of key terms

• AOH (Area of Habitat): Habitat area represents the area that is suitable for a given species in terms of climate and habitat types.
• Bioclimatic envelope: The range of climatic conditions that a given species is able to tolerate, expressed as the relative degree of suitability of individual sites.
• LBMS (Land-Based Mitigation Strategy): A land-based mitigation strategy, method, or procedure for using land to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or remove carbon from the atmosphere.
• Reforestation: Forest restoration in places where forests historically existed.
• Aforestation: Planting forests in places that were historically non-forested.
• MaxEnt: A species distribution model based on the principle of maximum entropy, used to model the distribution of species based on their occurrence and environmental variables.
• GBIF: Global Biodiversity Information Facility, a global database of species occurrence data.
• SDM (Species Distribution Model): Species distribution model, makes predictions about the spatial distribution of species.
• Bilinear interpolation: A method for estimating values between two known data, used to resample data.
• Kriging: An interpolation method for estimating spatial values based on the position and value of surrounding points.
• Pseudo-absences: Data on locations where a given species is not expected to occur, which is used to train species distribution models.
• Sedimentary basins: Geological structures suitable for long-term carbon storage.
• Biome: A large ecosystem with characteristic vegetation and climate.
• Albedo: The rate at which the Earth's surface reflects sunlight, can affect warming and cooling.
• SSP2-RCP4.5: Common Socio-Economic Pathway 2 (SSP2) combined with Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 (RCP4.5), one of the reference scenarios for future climate development.
• Lignocellulosic plants: Plants whose main components are cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose. They are used for bioenergy production.

Biodiversity is crucial for the balance of ecosystems. Animal and plant habitats, as well as humans, depend on it. However, predictions are alarming: up to three million species could become extinct by the end of this century. This is according to the conclusions of an international studies published in 2022, which for the first time surveyed a significant number of experts from the Global South. (More on swissinfo.ch)

This summary documentation analyzes the key ideas and facts presented in the article "IPBES nexus report: Five takeaways for biodiversity, food, water, health and climate" published on Carbon Brief on December 17, 2024.

Main topics of the report:

• The link between biodiversity, food, water, health and climate: The report highlights the complex interconnection between these systems and warns of the negative impacts of focusing on one element at the expense of others.
• Impacts of biodiversity loss: The report highlights how biodiversity loss threatens food and water systems, human health and climate stability.
• The role of sustainable food systems: The report highlights the importance of transitioning to sustainable and healthy diets, which would have a beneficial impact on all interconnected systems.
• Ecosystem restoration: The report notes that all available options for restoring biodiversity would also contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Financing measures to protect biodiversity: The report identifies a significant financing gap for biodiversity conservation and proposes reforms to global financing to close it.

Key ideas and facts:

1. Biodiversity loss threatens food and water systems, human health and the climate.

The report states that biodiversity is “essential” to human existence, supporting water and food supplies, underpinning public health and contributing to climate stability. However, over the past 30-50 years, biodiversity has declined by an average of 2-6% per decade across all indicators assessed.

The report highlights “fragmented governance” of biodiversity, water, food, health and climate change as a major obstacle to effective action.

“Because our current governance systems are often divided into different departments, they work in silos. They are very fragmented and work and develop policies in isolation – these linkages [between climate, health, biodiversity, water and food] are often not even acknowledged or ignored. What this really means is that there can be unintended consequences or trade-offs because people simply haven’t thought holistically.” – Prof. Paula Harrison, co-author of the report

2. Focusing exclusively on food security leads to “serious compromises” on climate, water and biodiversity.

The report analyses six “archetypes of linkage scenarios” and finds that sustainability-focused scenarios, such as the “nature-centric scenario” and the “balanced linkage scenario”, deliver positive long-term outcomes for all linkages. Conversely, scenarios that prioritise just one element, such as “food first”, lead to “serious trade-offs” and negative impacts on other elements.

3. Switching to a sustainable healthy diet will benefit people and the planet.

The report highlights that transitioning to sustainable healthy diets and reducing food waste would “benefit food security and health” and “reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” This would also “free up land and, in many cases, bring co-benefits for linkages such as biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration.”

4. All available options for nature restoration would also contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The report concludes that all available options for restoring biodiversity would have a positive impact on combating and adapting to climate change. It highlights that protecting natural ecosystems from further destruction would bring benefits to all elements of the nexus. Restoring degraded ecosystems, particularly forests and wetlands, would in turn help to sequester carbon.

5. Reforming global financial systems can help bridge the biodiversity financing gap.

The report identifies a funding gap of between $300 and $1 trillion per year to meet biodiversity conservation needs, highlighting the need for “urgent action” to address “the dominance of narrow interests within economic and financial systems” and increase investment in biodiversity, food and water.

The report suggests three paths to better align global financial flows with biodiversity and other elements of the nexus:

1. Improving the availability and use of information on the "diverse values of nature".
2. Improving access to finance through a range of different financial instruments.
3. Reducing negative incentives, including improved investment guarantees and addressing harmful subsidies.

The IPBES report on the linkages between biodiversity, food, water, health and climate clearly shows that these systems are closely interconnected and that addressing them in isolation has negative consequences. It highlights the need for a holistic approach that takes into account all linkages and prioritizes sustainable solutions. Reforming global financing and transitioning to sustainable diets are key steps to achieving this goal. Spring

Document  presents a comprehensive overview of EU research activities in the field of NBS. It focuses on how NBS can help address the climate and biodiversity crises and highlights the importance of collaboration, knowledge sharing and capacity building for the successful implementation of these solutions.

Main themes and ideas

The document highlights the importance of NBS in addressing the climate and biodiversity crises. NBS are defined as:

"inspired and supported by nature, they are cost-effective, while providing environmental, social and economic benefits and helping to build resilience."

The document lists several key benefits of NBS, including:

• Increasing resilience to climate change: NBS help mitigate the impacts of climate change, such as floods, heat waves, and drought.
• Improving air quality: Green infrastructure in cities can absorb pollutants and improve air quality.
• Soil restoration: NBS supports the restoration of degraded land and improves its fertility.
• Promoting health and well-being: Access to green spaces has a positive impact on both physical and mental health.
• Creating new economic opportunities: NBS can stimulate growth in sectors such as ecotourism, green infrastructure, and ecosystem restoration.
• Sustainable urban transformation: NBS contribute to the development of greener and healthier cities.

EU-funded research projects

The paper presents a wide range of EU-funded research projects addressing the implementation of NBS in various settings, including:

• Urban areas: Projects such as CLEVER Cities, Grow Green and URBREATH focus on implementing NBS in cities to increase their resilience, improve quality of life and support biodiversity.
• Areas outside cities: Projects such as DRYvER (focusing on drylands), FutureMARES (marine and coastal ecosystems), and MountResilience (mountain ecosystems) address specific challenges associated with climate change and biodiversity in different ecosystems.
• Cross-sectional projects: Projects such as NetworkNature+ and BIODIVERSA+ serve as platforms for collaboration, knowledge sharing and capacity building in the field of NBS.

Important facts

The document presents interesting statistics on EU-funded projects in the field of NBS:

• 1,538 partners
• 79 countries
• Budget 755 million euros
• 88 projects

Recently published IPBES report (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) provides new insights into the interconnectedness of biodiversity, food systems, water resources, health and climate. This comprehensive document highlights the need for an integrated approach to addressing global challenges and offers the following five key findings:

1. Biodiversity as the basis of sustainable ecosystems

Biodiversity is key to maintaining the ecosystem functions that support life on Earth. The report points out that healthy ecosystems are essential for ensuring food security and clean water resources, and therefore its protection is essential for sustainable development.

2. Linking food systems and climate

Food production is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Transforming food systems towards sustainable practices can reduce their environmental impact while improving population health and nutrition. The report calls for the implementation of agroecological methods and reducing food waste.

3. Pressurized water sources

The report warns of growing water scarcity due to climate change and inappropriate management. Efficient use of water resources and protection of freshwater ecosystems are essential to maintain their availability for future generations.

4. Health and the environment are interconnected

Human health is closely linked to the state of the environment. Degradation of ecosystems can lead to the spread of diseases and a deterioration in the quality of life. The report highlights the need to reduce environmental risks by preserving biodiversity and improving air and water quality.

5. Integrated approach to climate change

Addressing climate change must include protecting biodiversity and improving food and water security. The report recommends adopting policies that take into account the interlinkages between these areas and promote synergistic solutions.

These IPBES findings underscore the urgency of coordinated global action to ensure a sustainable future for all life on Earth. The report is a stark reminder that actions in one area affect many others, and that solutions need to be viewed holistically and in a way that takes into account interrelationships. Spring

Ecosystem services are nature’s contributions to humanity’s needs, such as providing clean water, regulating local air and climate, and protecting against hazards and diseases – nature also provides inspiration and a sense of place. Biodiversity – the variety of genes, species, landscapes and their interactions – supports these ecosystem services and is one of the most powerful tools for achieving sustainable development goals. (More on weforum.org)

Frank Wugt Larsen, EEA expert on biodiversity knowledge and networks, is part of the European Union delegation to the plenary session of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). We spoke to him to understand what IPBES does and how this work connects to other international efforts to improve the state of nature. (More on eea.europa.eu)

When most people think of climate change, images of melting glaciers or rising sea levels come to mind. But the reality is much more complex and urgent. The effects of climate change, such as wildfires, droughts, and extreme weather events, are not just environmental threats, but also crises that directly impact human well-being and the survival of wildlife. In reality, it is a complex web that affects both humans and animals, and vice versa, with each playing a key role in supporting resilient ecosystems that can withstand these challenges. (PETER LALAMPAA AND JEAN-GAËL COLLOMB, more at news.mongabay.com/)