Nature Positive Pavilion at the CBD's COP15

 

7 - 16 December 2022. Nature Positive Pavilion at the CBD's COP15

Outside of the formal negotiations, COP15 features the Rio Conventions Pavilion, Business Forum, Gender Caucus, Youth Forum, as well as interactive dialogues and high-level roundtables that bring together stakeholders from public and private sectors, civil society and academia to find solutions to some of the most pressing environmental problems we face today. 

The conference also hosted a Nature Positive Pavilion.

Extracts of the programme:

8/12 Domestication of Forest plants from Taï National Park (IOPC)

Bioclimatic approach for a sustainable culture of forest plants for domestic use for local populations in Côte d'Ivoire (Initiatives on the outskirts of the Taï National Park). With an area of 536,000 ha, the Taï National Park forms with the N'ZO reserve, one of the largest expanses of primary tropical forest under strict protection in the West African zone. Managers face enormous challenges related to agricultural expansion (cocoa, rubber and oil palm) and the scarcity of utilitarian forest products valued by the populations in its periphery. To overcome this scourge, the domestication of certain popular forest plants has emerged as a viable and sustainable alternative for both the park and the surrounding communities.

• Adama Tondossama: is a specialist in the management of protected areas and Director General of the Ivorian Office of Parks and Reserves since 2011. He was previously Director of the Taï National Park for 7 years and succeeded in setting up innovative solutions for management of this protected area.
• Bertille Mayen is a lawyer, specialist in the governance of natural resources and public policies. She has coordinated initiatives in the field of biodiversity conservation of cross-border landscapes in Central and West Africa. Within GIZ Côte d'Ivoire, she works to improve the management effectiveness of the protected areas in the Tai-Grebo Krahn-Sapo transboundary Complex situated in Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire.
• Ambroise N'Koh: has been awarded in 2019 one of the 20 prestigious “International Cocoa Awards” from the Cocoa of Excellence Programme. They honour the best cocoa in the world and are celebrated at the Paris Salon du Chocolat. Ambroise stopped using chemicals on his plantation many years ago.
• Abdoulaye Diarassouba: is an Expert in the management of protected areas and the Director of the Taï National Park since 2012. He has successfully led agroforestry programs for the benefit of local populations with the support of various partners (donors, Universities and framing structures).
• Issa Diarrassouba: is a Forestry Engineer with over 15 years of relevant professional experience in planning, management and monitoring-evaluation. He contributed to the development of the master plan for the protected areas of Côte d'Ivore and the adoption of a dozen participatory management plans for protected areas

08/12 Atewa Forest, Ghana, and Nature-Based Solutions for critical public goods (A Rocha Ghana)

Atewa Forest – an upland forest critical for biodiversity and ecosystem services – is threatened by illegal mining, logging and farming, and now the government’s plans to mine bauxite on its mountaintops. There are many options for ensuring financial and community benefits without causing irreversible damage. This can be achieved through state-financed green development projects such as ecotourism, sustainable harvesting of NTFPs and botanicals, agroforestry with tree crops around the forest, emissions reductions projects, and others. This session will present the case of Atewa Forest and promote participant discussion of opportunities, ideas, and innovations for green finance and sustainable development pathways in highly biodiverse forests.

• Dr Seth Appiah-Kubi: National Director of A Rocha Ghana. He has served on both national and international conservation committees, platforms and forums dealing in various conservation protocols.

09/12 09/12 Our Climate's Secret Ally: Uncovering the story of nature in the IPCC 6th Assessment Report (WWF)

In this event WWF brought to life the latest IPCC science on climate and nature. The panelists explored some of the key messages of its newly published report, and what they mean for how we approach the nature and climate crises.

• Virginia Young, IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), Member of its Specialist Group on Climate Change and its Task force on Primary Forests 
• Prof. Dr. Josef Settele, IPBES Secretariat, affiliated with Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ 
• Prof Dr Andreas Fischlin, IPCC Vice-Chair WGII
• Manuel Pulgar Vidal, Global leader of Climate & Energy at WWF and interim chair of the IUCN Climate Crisis Commission

09/12 Science Basis for a Nature and People Positive World (Earth Commission)

Despite decades of conservation efforts, biodiversity decline continues. What are the missing pieces? The Earth Commission introduces the concept of safe and just Earth system boundaries as a possible solution. The Earth Commission is defining safe and just boundaries to underpin science-based targets for nature (such as those being developed by the Science Based Targets Network). A novelty is that justice is integral to this framework. Panelists introduced what this means for biodiversity, as well as science syntheses from GEOBON and Future Earth.

The importance of both Nature and People positive narratives were highlighted, including six components that may deliver the GBF: 1) reversing drivers of decline; 2) halting biodiversity loss and initiating restoration; 3) regenerating ecosystems; 4) raising minimum wellbeing and distributing responsibilities equitably; 5) eliminating overconsumption; and 6) respecting the rights of all communities, present and future.

• David Obura: Director of CORDIO East Africa (Kenya), focusing on research and conservation of coral reefs in the context of climate change in the Western Indian Ocean. David Obura is now turning towards science-policy engagement from local to global levels, including with African and regional bodies, IPBES, and the Earth Commission.
• Diana Liverman: Regents Professor Emerita. Diana Liverman focuses on the human dimensions of global environmental change. including climate impacts, vulnerability and adaptation, and climate policy and mitigation especially in the developing world. She is co-leading the the justice and transformations work streams of the Earth Commission.
• Paul Leadley: Professor Paul Leadley's research focuses on the impacts of global change on ecosystem functioning and the interactions between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. He co-led the development of science briefs from GEOBON and BioDISCOVERY.
• Varsha Viyay: PhD and Technical Director, Science Based Targets Network (SBTN). As Technical Director at SBTN, Varsha provides strategic oversight and leads the development of methods, tools, and guidance companies can use to set SBTs for nature for all key pressure categories. Outside of SBTN, Varsha’s research focuses on global biodiversity and anthropogenic land use using a socio-ecological systems perspective.

Resources: 

The bioDISCOVERY programme of Future Earth and the Secretariat of the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON), convened a group of experts to prepare six briefs to provide scientific support for the negotiations of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF) at the fourth meeting of the Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework in Nairobi, from 21 to 26 June 2022.

The following 8 briefs aim to provide an updated assessment and recommendations for select targets
and goals of the GBF, as well as the monitoring framework.

1. GEO BON (2022) SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE Science Brief for Target 10 of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework #13 p
2. GEO BON (2022) ECOSYSTEMS Science Brief for the Ecosystem Objectives of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework #33 p.
3. GEO BON (2022) PROTECTED AND CONSERVED AREAS Science Brief for Target 3 of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework # 12 p.
4. GEO BON (2022) POLLUTION Science Brief for Target 7 of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework #23 p.
5. GEO BON (2022) CLIMATE CHANGE Science Brief for Target 8 of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework #18 p.
6. GEO BON (2022) MONITORING Briefing Note for the Monitoring Framework of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework #18 p.
7. GEO BON (2022) ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION Science Brief for Target 2 of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework #17 p.
8. GEO BON (2022) SUSTAINABLE USE OF BIODIVERSITY Science Brief for Sustainable Use Targets of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework #13 p.

11/12 Shared spaces approaches to a nature and people positive future (CORDIO East Africa)

This ‘people positive, nature positive’ approach will help countries and actors implement multiple targets of the GBF, focused on local needs and agency by communities, stakeholders and local governments

12/12 Agri-business supply chains and biodiversity conservation and restoration

There is an increasing need for agri-businesses to understand how their supply chains depend upon and simultaneously impact biodiversity. Agribusinesses are also increasingly interested in engaging in conservation and restoration activities. This event presented innovative tools that are used by agribusinesses to understand biodiversity in the landscapes they source products from and examples of restoring and conserving biodiversity in agribusiness supply chains. It showcased some examples of work between IUCN and agribusinesses using these tools.

13/12 Regenerative Agriculture: Achieving Biodiversity Targets in Textiles and Apparel (Textile Exchange)

Sharing successes and lessons learned on how regenerative agriculture is helping to drive outcomes towards meeting the targets of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

13/12 Science-based targets for nature: enabling corporate action (SBTN)

Leading companies shared their insights as they prepare to set science-based targets for nature; a critical lever to taking corporate action in support of the Global Biodiversity Framework.

• Erin Billman has over 20 years of experience in the private and non-profit sectors. She has focused her career on working with organizations to best steward the natural world as a strategy toward long-term success. Erin has led the Science Based Targets Network since its launch in 2020.
• Varsha Vijay: Dr. Varsha Vijay is a quantitative scientist with expertise across biodiversity, land, data/modelling, monitoring and corporate supply chains. 
• David Obdura: PhD and Director of CORDIO East Africa (Kenya), focusing on research and conservation of coral reefs in the context of climate change in the Western Indian Ocean. David Obura is now turning towards science-policy engagement from local to global levels, including with IPBES, the Earth Commission and other bodies.
• Eva De Keyser, Sr Sustainability Manager Plant-Based Europe, Alpro: 
• Nadine McCormick, Nature Lead, WBCSD:  a global, CEO-led organization of over 200 leading businesses on sustainability. 
• Claire Lund, Vice President, Environmental Sustainability, GSK: 
• Cristiana La Marca, Head of Environment, Enel: 
• Renata Pollini, Head of Nature, Holcim

13/12 Financing Nature Positive Agriculture (Cornell University)

Perspectives from different institutions in search of ways to harness the power of regenerative agriculture's multifunctional benefits for soil health, carbon capture, water quality, and biodiversity conservation.

• Alan Martinez, Cornell University (Moderator)
• Bas Rüter, Rabobank
• Romie Goedicke, UN Environment Program
• Mary Beth Gallagher, Domini Impact Investments LLC / Finance for Biodiversity Foundation
• Elisa Vacherand, World Wildlife Fund International

13/12 Agriculture in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (WBCSD, IUCN)

This session explored the success factors needed to accelerate business action towards an inclusive and farmer-centric transformation of the agriculture value chains. Practical examples were presented from business representatives, farmers and other key actors in the agriculture value chain, on the way they are shifting action towards more sustainable agricultural models while contributing to the implementation of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (target 3, 10, and others).

• Moderator: Diane Holdorf, Executive Vice President, WBCSD
• Host: Bruno Oberle, IUCN Director General
• Scene-setter: Guillaume Chiron, Deputy head of the Agriculture, Rural development and Biodiversity division, AFD France
• Kevin Rabinovitch, Global VP Sustainability, MarsAriane Kaploun, Nature initiatives leader, AXA Climate
• Geraldine Vallejo, Sustainability Programme Director, Kering
• Irish Baguilat, Asian Farmers Association
• Tim Lee, Director Sustainability & Responsibility, Pernod Ricard North America

14/02 Scaling corporate support for convergence actions on nature positive ambitions in Africa (NFC)

Africa presents the largest restoration opportunity among all continents – with more than 700 million hectares of degraded landscapes that can be restored. There are emerging opportunities to help accelerate restoration and conservation efforts in Africa. This session discussed how the private sector and corporate organisations whose businesses are negatively affected by the various environmental crisis and challenges, could scale up support for convergence actions on nature positive ambitions in Africa.

• Mr. Martin Harper: Regional Director, Europe, and Central Asia, BirdLife International.
• Dr Eugene Itua: CEO, Natural Eco Capital
• Dr Joseph Onoja: Director General, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF)
• Indekhwa Anangwe: Senior Program Design Officer, African Wildlife Foundation (AWF)

15/12 Nature-Positive Infrastructure Financing: The Role of Multilateral Development Banks

MDBs discussed on how to effectively incentivize infrastructure investment that maximizes social objectives and enhances biodiversity – at the speed and scale the world needs. Panelists explored effective incentives for infrastructure investment that maximizes social objectives while enhancing positive outcomes for biodiversity.

• Christine Mwangi: Ms. Mwangi, CFA, is Regional Coordinator of the Africa Sustainable Investments and Infrastructure Programme at WWF-Kenya. She is a Sustainable Finance professional passionate about sharing and advancing her knowledge on optimal blended utilization of natural and financial capital to support development of nature-positive infrastructure in Africa through policy, advocacy and innovation.
• Juan Pablo Bonilla: Dr. Bonilla is Manager of Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) Climate Change and Sustainable Development Sector and was Chief of Staff to the Executive Vice President. Previously he was on the UN Clean Development Mechanism Executive Board and in Colombia, was principal advisor to the Vice President, Deputy Minister of Environment, and acting Minister of Environment, Housing and Territorial Development.
• Adonai Herrera-Martínez: Dr. Herrera-Martínez is the Director of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's (EBRD) Environment and Sustainability Department and leads the team determining the Paris alignment and green finance attribution, monitoring and reporting for the Bank. Prior to this, he coordinated sustainable energy activities for EBRD in Turkey.
• Dr. Valerie Hickey: Ms. Hickey is the Global Director for Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy at the World Bank
• Eva Mayerhofer: Ms. Mayerhofer is Head of European Investment Bank's (EIB) Environment Policy Unit in the Sustainability and Quality Management Department and Lead Biodiversity Specialist. She has over 20 years of experience in environmental impact assessment, natural resource management and biodiversity conservation across Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa.
• Francesco Riccardi: Dr. Ricciardi is a Senior Environment Specialist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with over 12 years of experience in Europe, Asia and South America working on environment and ecology, including renewable energy plants, large coastal infrastructure projects, and natural resources development and protection.
• Vanessa Ushie: Dr. Ushie is Acting Director of African Development Bank Group's (AfDB) African Natural Resources Management and Investment Centre. She oversees their policy work and interventions on the management of natural resources for sustainable development and serves as Manager of the Centre’s Policy Analysis Division, leading economic and policy analyses on natural resource management.