UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/18/13

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/ / CBD
/ Distr.
GENERAL
UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/18/13
12 May 2014
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice

Eighteenth meeting

Montreal, 23-28 June 2014

/...

UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/18/13

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Items 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3[*]

Report on issue in progress: Biodiversity and Climate Change

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Integration of the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity into climate change mitigation and adaptation activities

1.  The Conference of the Parties has, at its past few meetings, adopted several comprehensive decisions relating to the integration of the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity into climate change mitigation and adaptation activities, and for the integration of climate change concerns into the implementation of the Convention at national level. The Conference of Parties, through decisions IX/16, X/33, and XI/21, has requested Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations, inter alia,

(a)  To identify regions, ecosystems and components of biodiversity that are vulnerable to climate change; and assess the threats and impacts of climate change;

(b)  To integrate climate change concerns into national biodiversity strategies and action Plans (NBSAPs);

(c)  To take appropriate actions to address and reduce the impacts of climate change, and climate change mitigation and adaptation activities, on biodiversity and biodiversity-based livelihoods, including implementation of ecosystem-based approaches to climate change mitigation and adaptation;

(d)  To monitor the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and biodiversity-based livelihoods; and

(e)  To enhance synergies among the Rio conventions.

2.  The following Aichi Biodiversity Targets are particularly relevant to the adaptation to and mitigation of climate change:

(a)  Aichi Biodiversity Target 10: By 2015, the multiple anthropogenic pressures on coral reefs, and other vulnerable ecosystems impacted by climate change or ocean acidification are minimized, so as to maintain their integrity and functioning;

(b)  Aichi Biodiversity Target 15: By 2020, ecosystem resilience and the contribution of biodiversity to carbon stocks has been enhanced, through conservation and restoration, including restoration of at least 15 per cent of degraded ecosystems, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation and to combating desertification;

(c)  Aichi Biodiversity Target 5: By 2020, the rate of loss of all natural habitats, including forests, is at least halved and where feasible brought close to zero, and degradation and fragmentation is significantly reduced.

B. Application of relevant safeguards for biodiversity with regard to policy approaches and positive incentives on issues relating to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries

3.  In paragraph 16 (a) of decision XI/19, the Conference of the Parties requested the Executive Secretary to enhance collaboration with the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), other members of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, and others to further support Parties in promoting REDD+[1] activities to achieve the objectives of the Convention.

4.  The Conference of the Parties requested the Executive Secretary to compile information relevant to the application of safeguards for biodiversity, and make the compilation widely available, including through the clearing-house mechanism (decision XI/19, paragraph 16 (b)). In paragraph 8 of the same decision, the Conference of the Parties noted that safeguards may enhance benefits for biodiversity and for indigenous and local communities, and invited developing countries to share their experiences and lessons learned when planning and implementing these activities.

5.  REDD+ activities have the potential to contribute to the achievement of a range of Aichi Biodiversity Targets as far as they support biodiversity conservation (Aichi Biodiversity Targets 11 and 12), water regulation (Aichi Biodiversity Target 14), soil conservation (Aichi Biodiversity Target 15) and the provision of non-timber forest products (Aichi Biodiversity Targets 7 and 18).

6.  The Executive Secretary was also requested to compile information from Parties on initiatives and experiences regarding paragraph 67 of UNFCCC decision 2/CP.17 (on non-market-based approaches, such as joint mitigation and adaptation approaches for the integral and sustainable management of forests) with regard to its possible contribution to the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (decision XI/19, paragraph 17).

C. Climate-related geoengineering

7.  The Conference of the Parties, at its eleventh meeting, adopted decision XI/20 on climate-related geoengineering. In paragraph 1 of this decision, the Conference of the Parties reaffirmed its guidance on climate-related geoengineering contained in subparagraph 8(w) of decision X/33, and in paragraph9 of decisionXI/20 it invited Parties to report on measures undertaken in accordance with this subparagraph.

8.  In paragraph 2 of decision XI/20, the Conference of the Parties took note of the report on the impacts of climate related geoengineering on biological diversity (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/16/INF/28), the study on the regulatory framework for climate-related geoengineering relevant to the Convention on Biological Diversity (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/16/INF/29) and the overview of the views and experiences of indigenous and local communities and stakeholders (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/16/INF/30). The Executive Secretary was requested to prepare an update on the potential impacts of geoengineering techniques on biodiversity, and on the regulatory framework of climate-related geoengineering relevant to the Convention, drawing upon all relevant scientific reports such as the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and discussions under the Environment Management Group as well as an overview of the further views of Parties, other Governments, indigenous and local communities and other stakeholders on the potential impacts of geoengineering on biodiversity, and associated social, economic and cultural impacts, taking into account gender considerations, and building on the overview of the views and experiences of indigenous and local communities (decision XI/20, paragraphs 16 (a) and (b)).

9.  The purpose of this note is to provide a report on issues relating to biodiversity and climate change linkages. The note is organized in three sections. Section II of the note provides a progress report on the integration of the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity into climate-change mitigation and adaptation activities (agenda item 9.1). Section III of the note provides a progress report on the application of relevant safeguards for biodiversity with regard to policy approaches and positive incentives on issues relating to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (agenda item 9.2). The final section (section IV) of the note provides a progress report on activities related to climate-related geoengineering (agenda item 9.3).

II. Integration of the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity into climate-change mitigation and adaptation activities (item 9.1)

10.  This section of the note provides a review of progress made with the integration of the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity into climate change mitigation and adaptation activities, as well as the integration of climate change into implementation of the Convention at national level, as requested by decisions IX/16, X/33 and XI/21, and the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 20112020. It provides highlights of the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report relating to the impacts of climate change on ecosystems. The section further provides an overview of the activities of the Executive Secretary in supporting Parties to implement these decisions and to achieve the climate-related Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Finally, it also provides an overview of progress made by Parties as described in their fifth national reports and their revised and updated national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs).

A. Highlights of the global findings on the impacts of climate change on ecosystems

11.  Findings from the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) Working Group II (WGII) on Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability suggest that recent changes in climate have caused impacts on natural and human systems on all continents and oceans, with climate change impacts being the strongest and most comprehensive for natural systems.[2]

12.  According to the AR5 WGII report, climate change is projected to be a major stressor for terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Furthermore, climate change will exacerbate other stressors on biodiversity such as land-use change, pollution and invasive and alien species. Changes in freshwater temperatures are predicted to lead to changes in freshwater species distribution and water quality, especially where there are high levels of nutrient loading. The capacity of many species to respond to climate change will be constrained by factors not related to climate change, such as competition from alien invasive species and habitat fragmentation. In addition, according to the report, many terrestrial species of plant and animal have shifted their ranges, altered their seasonal activities and experienced changes in abundance in response to climate change. Although shifts in range are an adaptation for many species, it is projected that a large number of species will be unable to do so fast enough during this century.

13.  Findings from the WGII report also suggest that those species with spatially restricted populations (e.g. those confined to small and isolated habitats) will experience reductions in population size, vigour and viability. As climate change interacts will other stressors on ecosystems, it is projected that a large proportion of terrestrial and freshwater species will face increased extinction risk. The storage of carbon in terrestrial ecosystems, over decadal timescales, is partially offset by the release of carbon through habitat conversion and degradation. In some regions, tree death has been attributed to climate change.

14.  The report highlights the risk of abrupt, irreversible regionalscale changes in composition, structure and functioning of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, particularly in the Amazon and the Arctic. The report states that risks of impacts to terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems can be reduced, and that the adaptive capacity of ecosystems can be improved by management actions, though for some ecosystems loss of species and ecosystem services is inevitable. It warns that some mitigation and adaptation responses can have negative impacts on terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.

15.  For coastal ecosystems, the AR5 WGII report shows that although climate change impacts are difficult to isolate from other human related drivers of change, these ecosystems are sensitive to three climate-related pressures, namely sea level rise, increasing ocean temperatures and ocean acidity. Information also reveals that coastal ecosystems are susceptible to increased submergence, flooding and erosion due to sea level rise. It is predicted that ocean acidification and rising ocean temperatures will negatively impact coastal ecosystems with coral reefs being the most vulnerable marine ecosystems, and temperate seagrass and kelp ecosystems facing declines. Humans are expected to further exacerbate the pressures on coastal ecosystems through excess nutrient loading, reduced sediment delivery and changes in run-off.

16.  The AR5 WGII report mentions that marine ecosystems continue to respond to changes in the climate, and will continue to do so. Ocean temperature increases have resulted in large-scale distribution shifts of species, and have caused changes in ecosystem composition. Many fish and invertebrate species have shifted poleward. Species most vulnerable to ocean warming are those in the polar regions and those tropical species living close to their upper thermal limits. Warm water corals have responded to ocean warming with species replacement, bleaching and decreased coral cover resulting in habitat loss.

17.  It is projected that further warming of 1oC or more will result in large, irreversible shifts in spatial distribution of species and seasonal timing of their activities, with implications for species composition and ecosystem goods and services. These species shifts would lead to increases in species richness at mid and high latitudes and a decrease at tropical latitudes with consequences for food security. The report suggests an increase in net primary production (NPP) at high latitudes, which would be offset by a decrease in NPP at temperate and tropical latitudes. The report further suggests that the hypoxic and anoxic regions will expand, particularly if combined with eutrophication, and will favour anaerobic microbes at the expense of oxygen dependent organisms. Local adaptation or reduction in human activities may not be enough to compensate for global-scale effects on marine ecosystems.

18.  The fourth edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook will provide a mid-term review of progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. It will consider the findings of the IPCC AR5 Working Groups, in particular for assessing progress towards the achievement of Aichi Biodiversity Target 10 to minimize, by 2015, the multiple anthropogenic pressures on coral reefs, and other vulnerable ecosystems impacted by climate change or ocean acidification, so as to maintain their integrity and functioning.

B. Activities of the Executive Secretary in supporting Parties to implement decisions of the Conference of the Parties related to biodiversity and climate change and to achieve related Aichi Biodiversity Targets

19.  In response to paragraph 9 of decision X/33, the Secretariat has engaged with relevant international organizations and processes to contribute to a better understanding of the role and contribution of biodiversity and ecosystem services in adapting to and mitigating climate change, and the importance of reducing the impacts of climate change and climate change mitigation and adaptation activities on biodiversity and biodiversity based livelihoods.

20.  In line with paragraph 9 (e) of decision X/33, the Secretariat collaborated with relevant international organizations and processes, in particular with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to strengthen the capacity of Parties to implement decisions IX/16, X/33, and XI/21 and to contribute to achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The activities undertaken by the Secretariat contributed to strengthening the capacity of Parties in integrating the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity into climate change activities, as well as the integration of climate change into NBSAPs and other biodiversity policies and programmes, thereby enhancing synergies at the national level. Activities undertaken include the following:

(a)  Support of national focal points to the Convention on Biological Diversity to attend the UNFCCC Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) training workshops on national adaptation planning[3] for Anglophone and Francophone Africa, and for Asia;

(b)  Support of the participation of national focal points to the Convention on Biological Diversity in a technical workshop organized by the Secretariat of the UNFCCC on ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation under the Nairobi Work Programme, from 21 to 23 March 2013, in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania;