Minimise the impact of climate change and ocean acidification on biodiversity and increase its resilience through mitigation, adaptation, and disaster risk reduction actions, including through nature-based solutions and/or ecosystem-based approaches, while minimising negative and fostering positive impacts of climate action on biodiversity.
Introduction
Nature absorbs over half of all greenhouse gas emissions each year, and intact ecosystems are capable of absorbing and storing enormous amounts of carbon. However, when intact ecosystems are degraded or destroyed, the livelihoods of a large number of species are also weakened. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that as much as 30% of Earth's species could disappear due to climate change. Climate change and destruction of nature exacerbate each other negatively: Climate change exacerbates natural destruction by causing species extinction and making nature less resilient and more vulnerable to changes.
Damaged ecosystems cannot protect against floods and landslides or absorb carbon as effectively as intact ecosystems. Therefore, conserving and restoring ecosystems are important climate actions. Knowledge of biodiversity's contribution to carbon storage and protection against extreme weather events is the basis for strengthening nature's resilience. By using this knowledge to ensure strong, diverse, and well-functioning ecosystems, we can prevent and protect against the effects of climate change. For example, good buffer zones along streams, rivers, and wetlands will be important for mitigating the consequences of extreme weather events and other climate changes, especially for homes and infrastructure. Conservation and restoration of forests on slopes, as well as conservation and restoration of wetlands and moist forest types, are also examples of management that works with nature and reduces the risk of natural damage due to climate change.
Climate change is a global problem closely linked to energy use and lifestyle, hence national measures must be seen in the context of the Nordic countries' international responsibilities. To achieve a just climate transition depends on adaptation by all municipalities, sector authorities and nature management practitioners as well as changes in commercial and non-commercial activities including forestry, housing and infrastructure development, agriculture, fossil fuels, and fisheries
Policy Proposals for National Implementation
Increase efforts to improve knowledge regarding the role of species, habitats, and ecosystems in the carbon cycle and including precise determinations of the climate effects of conservation and restoration of nature.
Strengthen national, regional, and local management expertise and resources for mapping, protecting, and restoring carbon-rich habitats.
Require that particularly carbon-rich and biodiverse areas are identified and protected in municipal and national climate plans, including areas in the ocean and the deep sea. Specifically, there must be requirements for the protection of wetlands and old-growth forests. This should be mapped out through a mechanism for accounting and budgeting for the impact on nature from area use.
Increase recognition of the interconnectedness of the climate and biodiversity crises and prioritise actions that are beneficial for both climate and biodiversity, including integrating nature risk and climate risk into all land use and marine spatial planning.
Ensure that nature-based climate actions or other initiatives addressing climate change do not have negative consequences for biodiversity or human rights, including Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
Policy Proposals for International Implementation
Fulfil the commitments in the Land Use, Land-use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector under the climate agreement with the EU to reduce carbon emissions, while prioritising measures beneficial to ecosystems and biodiversity.
Value the existing carbon storages (not only the sequestration) that are old and rich in biodiversity such as peatlands.
Promote clear safeguards and guidelines for protection of biodiversity, human rights, and Indigenous Peoples’ rights during discussions on nature-based climate action at the EU and global level.
Urgently develop a United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolution on criteria, norms, standards and guidelines for implementing nature-based solutions that protects biodiversity and respects and recognizes Indigenous Peoples’ rights, human rights, youth inclusion and gender equality.
Develop policies that ensure a fair and inclusive people-centred approach to climate action that also ensures biodiversity. This includes the promotion of human rights, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, gender equality, community participation, youth participation and equity perspectives in climate commitments, decision-making and implementation.
Work towards a fair phase-out of fossil fuels, including phasing out existing fossil fuel production, ending all new fossil fuel exploitation, and supporting a just transition which does not violate human rights or Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
In a just manner phase out fossil fuel subsidies and redirect these finances to climate action, such as sustainable renewable energy investment, and biodiversity resilience efforts.
Guarantee sufficient and predictable climate finance that meets the evolving needs of developing countries and decide on its rules of implementation. These rules must make sure climate and biodiversity measures are in synergy and do not threaten each other’s implementation and are in line with human rights, including Indigenous Peoples’ rights.