The intertwined crises of global warming and biodiversity loss demand a unified approach, yet they are often tackled independently. Both stem from humanity’s complex relationship with Nature, affecting ecosystems and human well-being alike. Addressing these challenges in tandem through an integrated framework, which focuses on restorative and conservation actions, could effectively leverage Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for climate mitigation and adaptation, and biodiversity preservation.
Understanding the Integrated Approach to Environmental Crises
A comprehensive environmental approach considers two core questions: how humanity should interact with Nature to promote ecosystem health and how to minimize CO₂ emissions while enhancing carbon capture. Answering these questions involves actions that both restore degraded ecosystems and preserve healthy ones, which, in turn, contribute to climate resilience and the mitigation of warming effects.
This approach is not entirely new, as early environmental voices and frameworks (e.g., the Kyoto Protocol) highlighted these issues. However, efforts historically focused more on carbon emissions, as seen with the Paris Agreement’s emphasis on limiting global warming through CO₂ reduction. This has led to tools like carbon markets and voluntary carbon offsets. However, these have sometimes reduced the urgency to decarbonize, as companies may rely on offsets without fully minimizing their carbon footprint. Forest carbon credits, for instance, present complex challenges: while forests are invaluable carbon sinks, some reforestation initiatives have adverse impacts, such as increased fire risk and conflicts with traditional land use by Indigenous communities.
Shifting Focus to Nature and the Role of the European Union
More recently, the focus has expanded to embrace biodiversity, with frameworks like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the European Union’s Biodiversity Strategy. This shift is promising, but it still tends to focus on restoring degraded areas rather than safeguarding all ecosystems. Furthermore, climate and biodiversity efforts often proceed on separate tracks, leading to a fragmented approach.
A truly integrated strategy should prioritize ecosystems’ health and capacity for carbon capture while enhancing human welfare. This calls for a unified relationship between people and Nature that balances ecosystem preservation, CO₂ emission reduction, and carbon absorption through nature. For example, integrating NbS into climate action can benefit communities and environments by supporting ecosystem resilience, restoring landscapes, and capturing CO₂.
A Unified Framework for Ecosystem and Climate Synergies
To bridge the gaps, we need a framework that combines biodiversity conservation, CO₂ reduction, and ecosystem service optimization. Such a framework would unify current efforts, incorporating diverse, regional ecosystem plans that promote long-term societal benefits. Each ecosystem’s unique characteristics should guide these plans, avoiding a narrow focus on carbon capture (such as monoculture reforestation) that might neglect other critical factors like fire prevention and sustainable land use by local communities.
Implementing the Framework: Roles and Responsibilities
- Citizens: Individuals can adopt sustainable practices and advocate for integrated environmental policies from both public and private institutions.
- Public Institutions: Governments and public institutions should implement holistic environmental management on public lands while encouraging unified, ecosystem-based planning across sectors. Supporting private landowners in adopting sustainable land-use practices aligned with this broad vision will be crucial.
- Academic Institutions: Researchers and universities can offer valuable planning insights, designing models that align climate, biodiversity, and societal welfare.
- Private Sector: Corporations play a pivotal role in Nature-based solutions, now further underscored by the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which mandates corporate accountability in both environmental impacts and contributions. Reporting under Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria includes measures for NbS, making corporate contributions essential for both environmental restoration and climate action.
The Role of Non-Nature-Based Solutions
While NbS are integral to a sustainable environmental strategy, technological and engineering solutions also have a role in tackling climate change. Renewable energy development, carbon capture technology, and advancements in waste management, for instance, complement natural solutions by reducing emissions at their source.
Conclusion: A Collaborative Path Forward
Integrating biodiversity and climate action within a holistic framework will better serve ecosystems, communities, and the planet. Achieving this unified vision requires collaboration across sectors, with citizens, institutions, academics, and corporations contributing to an adaptive, resilient world where natural and technological solutions coalesce for maximum impact. Through these shared efforts, we can aspire to a future that enhances both environmental and societal well-being for present and future generations.