ACTION TRANSITION
Summary of the Transition
Employing nature-based solutions, alongside a rapid phase-out of fossil fuel use, to reduce the scale and impacts of climate change, while providing positive benefits for biodiversity and other sustainable development goals. This transition recognizes the role of biodiversity in sustaining the capacity of the biosphere to mitigate climate change through carbon storage and sequestration and in enabling adaptation through resilient ecosystems, as well as the need to promote renewable energy while avoiding negative impacts on biodiversity.
Rationale and benefits
Climate change and biodiversity loss are insepa-rable threats to humankind and must be addressed together.1 Climate change is already impacting biodiversity and is projected to have progressively greater impacts,2 with significantly greater risks to natural and human systems in a world warming to 2 degrees C above pre-industrial temperatures, compared to 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial temperatures.3 Climate change will likely become the largest driver of biodiversity loss in the second half of this century.4 Thus, effective climate action is a prerequisite to slowing and reversing biodi-versity loss.5 Moreover, climate change impacts undermine ecosystem resilience and thus weaken the contribution of ecosystems to both mitigation and adaptation of climate change.6 The large-scale use of certain forms of renewable energy, may, in some cases, further exacerbate these risks.7 The aim of this transition is to move from this vicious cycle to a virtuous one whereby ecosystem-based approaches (or ‘nature-based solutions’8), alongside strong action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, contribute to efforts to keep climate change close to 1.5 degrees C, thereby also ensuring the long term resilience and sustained contributions of ecosystems to both mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
A number of studies indicate that such ‘nature-based solutions’ could provide about one third of the total net emission reduction effort required to
keep climate change close to 1.5 degrees C (Figure 22.5). With appropriate safeguards,9 they could also enhance a wide range of ecosystem services, including water filtration, flood and coastal
protection and soil health, as well as contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
However, there are four important caveats to the use of ‘nature-based solutions’. Firstly, while they are an essential part of the solution, the climate problem cannot be solved without stringent reductions in the use of fossil fuels.10 Secondly, the distributional impacts must be considered, and indigenous peoples and local communities must be fully involved in the devel-opment and implementation of land-based
approaches.11 Thirdly, while many ecosystem-based approaches have co-benefits for biodiversity, this is not always the case, and careful assessment of synergies and trade-offs is required.12 In particular, tree planting is not always appropriate, especially non-native species in monoculture plantations.13 Fourthly, it is important to conserve and restore the role of species and genetic diversity in addition to ecosystem extent (Box 22.5).
The phase-out of fossil fuels requires the devel-opment of alternative, renewable energy sources, as well as improved energy efficiency. Inevitably, renewable energy as well as some adaptation measures, have potential impacts on biodiversity.14 Therefore, another essential part of the climate action transition is to manage this development to minimize any such negative impacts.
The sustainable Climate Action transition
The sustainable Climate Action transition 173
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Figure 22.5. Priority measures to help to achieve the 1.5 degree C temperature goal of the Paris Agreement by transforming the land sector and deploying measures in food systems, agriculture, forestry, wetlands and bioenergy.
Soil carbon (9%) Reduced emissions from loss and degradation of ecosystems (31%)
Reduced emissions from agriculture (7%)
Healthy and sustainable diets (6%)
Improved forestry and agroforestry (11%)
Ecosystem restoration (24%) Reduced food waste (6%)
Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (9%)
A ‘top-down’ review of modelled pathways combined with ‘bottom up’ assessments of specific proposed mitigation measures suggests that a series of mitigation “wedges” could feasibly and sustainably contribute net reductions of about 15 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO2e) per year, i.e. about 30% of the global mitigation needed by 2050 to deliver on the 1.5 degree C target.15 The measures are related to interventions under other transitions featured in GBO-5, as indicated by the icons.
Key components of the transition
conserve And restore ecosystems. Contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation
through conservation and restoration of ecosystems, especially old-growth forests, peatlands, wetlands, seagrass and other high-carbon ecosystems, as well as ecosystems such as mangroves important for ecosystem-based adaptation and disaster risk reduction. This can be achieved through protected areas, other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), REDD+ programmes; and by promoting restoration including through natural regeneration, also addressing soil carbon (see Land and Forests transition).16
reduce emissions from Agriculture And forestry: Reduce methane (CH4) and nitrogen dioxide (N2O) emissions from enteric fermen-tation, nutrient management, synthetic fertilizer production, water and residue management of rice fields, and manure management. Promote soil carbon sequestration through use of larger root plants, cover cropping, reduced tillage, avoiding over-use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, erosion control and restoration of degraded soils, among other measures.
Enhance forestry practices (rotation lengths, reduced-impact logging, fire management), agroforestry and silvi-pasture systems in agricultural and grazing lands (see Agriculture transition).
reduce emissions from food consumption.
Reduce production of greenhouse gas-intensive foods through public health policies, consumer campaigns, and the development of new foods.
Reduce food waste, through consumer campaigns, private sector policies, supply-chain transparency, improved food labelling, and recycling, for example through waste-to-biogas schemes. Reduce food loss, by improved handling and storage practices through training, investment and technology. Promote
deforestation-free supply chains (see Food Systems transition).17
promote sustAinAble renewAble energy.
Deploy biomass crops only at appropriate scales and with appropriate zoning and safeguards to avoid or minimize negative effects on biodiversity and greenhouse gas emissions through direct and indirect land-use change.18 Ensure that hydro-power and wind hydro-power projects are sited, designed and managed to minimize ecological impacts and maximize benefits.19 Promote recycling of materials to reduce the mined metals required for large-scale battery storage and energy transmission, and minimize the negative impacts of mining opera-tions, including deep sea mining.20
mAke use of ‘green infrAstructure’. Promote
‘green infrastructure’ to support ecosystem-based adaptation and disaster risk reduction, including the use of vegetation in urban areas to reduce heat island effects and flood risks (see Cities and Infrastructure transition).21
Such approaches could be further integrated in countries’ nationally-determined contribu-tions (NDCs) under the UNFCCC Paris Agreement.
For example, in half of tropical countries, cost-effective ecosystem-based approaches could mitigate over half of national emissions.22 Noting the employment generation potential of such approaches, there is scope for such approaches to be supported through social assistance programmes,23 as well as through international finance (see Aichi Biodiversity Target 20, Box 20.2).
Progress towards the Transition
Progress towards Aichi Biodiversity 15, as summa-rized in Part II, is relevant to this transition. As noted in that summary, many of the NDCs under the Paris Agreement also contribute to biodiversity
The sustainable Climate Action transition 175 objectives.29 75% percent of NDCs contain
forest-related targets, including restoration activities.
However, most commitments made under both Conventions have yet to be implemented.
In some countries, employment generation or social assistance programmes contribute to relevant activities. For example, in Ethiopia, the Productive Safety Nets Programme supports reforestation and land restoration.30 In India, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act enhances livelihood security in rural areas by creating employment and is one of the biggest social security schemes of the world. Most of the employment generation activities through the scheme relate to restoration, rehabilitation and conservation of natural resources.31
Some linkages with other transitions
lAnds And forests: depends on conser-vation and restoration of high-carbon ecosystems, to enhance carbon seques-tration and increase resilience to climate change;
contributes to reducing land-use change from some forms of land-based climate change mitigation
Agriculture: depends on reduced green-house gas emissions through reduced tillage, improved manure management and other measures
food: depends on shifts towards more diverse and healthy diets, and reduced food waste, through indirect benefits to climate change mitigation via sustainable agriculture and reduced land pressure on forests and other ecosystems.
cities And infrAstructure: depends on climate change mitigation provided by use of green infrastructure, and resilience to climate change provided by more sustainable urban environments
freshwAter: depends on climate change mitigation through carbon storage in wetlands, and on climate resilience provided by healthy freshwater ecosystems Box 22.5. Biodiversity and climate mitigation and adaptation
‘Nature-based solutions’ often focus on the extent of ecosystems and habitats, but the conservation of species and genetic diversity is important for mitigation and adaptation:
ɠ Plant species diversity, including tree diversity in forests, enhances productivity and carbon storage by terrestrial ecosystems.24
ɠ Animals also make substantial contributions to ecosystem carbon sequestration through seed dispersal and trophic interactions such as herbivory or predation in forests.25
ɠ In the oceans, whales play an important role in supporting phytoplankton production through fertilization and in carbon sequestration.26
ɠ Genetic diversity of both plant and animal species is also important for ecosystem dynamics.27 ɠ The conservation and restoration of genetic and species diversity in crops, livestock and trees can
make major contributions to climate adaptation strategies.28