Strategy Paper on Biodiversity & Ecosystems, Ecosystem Services and Climate Change

1. EIONET workshop Copenhagen 30 June – 1 July 2009 Strategy Paper on Biodiversity & Ecosystems, Ecosystem Services and Climate Change currently being developed by the EU Ad Hoc Expert Working Group on Biodiversity and Climate Change Karin Zaunberger European Commission DG ENV B2

2. CONTENT • Information about DG ENV service contract: “Biodiversity and climate change in relation to Natura 2000” • Information about the EU Ad Hoc Expert Working Group on Biodiversity and Climate Change • Introduction of the Draft Strategy Paper on Biodiversity and Ecosystems, Ecosystem Services and Climate Change • Next steps

3. Biodiversity and climate change in relation to Natura 2000 • Study January 2008 – August 2009 • 4 Tasks: • Impacts of climate change on biodiversity in Europe • Development of a vulnerability assessment framework • Assessment of the impacts of climate change on Natura 2000 • Climate change mitigation an their impact on biodiversity • Work in other Fora • Information papers for Expert Group on Biodiversity and Climate Change under the Bern Convention

4. EU Ad Hoc Expert Working Group on Biodiversity and Climate Change • Subgroup to the Co-ordination Group for Nature Conservation and Biodiversity (CGNB) • Possible support to Impact and Adaptation Steering Group (IASG; follow-up to the White Paper on Adaptation) • 3 meetings held so far: 26 November 2008, 11 March and 12 May 2009 • Collaboration with other groups: CBD AHTEG, Expert Group Bern Convention, ENCA adaptation group etc • Upcoming output: Strategy paper on biodiversity & ecosystems, ecosystem services and climate change • CIRCA • http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/env/biodiversity_climate/home

5. Strategy Paper (1) • Being developed by the Working Group • Member State representatives, Commission Staff, scientists and civil society • Information & Recommendation taking into account most recent scientific findings • Not a negotiated text • Disclaimer • “The document does not necessarily represent the official, formal position of any of the partners. Hence, the views expressed in the document do not necessarily represent the views of the European Commission”

6. Strategy Paper (2) • Open constructive collaboration process • Discussion during the meetings • Intersession work by the voluntary drafting team

7. Strategy Paper (3) • 3 main parts: • Executive Summary highlighting 6 overarching areas of action • 2 Sections • The Way Forward • The Climate Change-Biodiversity Nexus • Framed by brief introduction and a post scriptum • List of sources • [Annex: ENCA examples]

8. Executive Summary • Sets the scene, tries to attract the reader’s attention • Highlights 6 areas of action inspired by the outcome of the climate change session at the Conference in Athens on « Biodiversity Protection – Beyond 2010 », 27-28 April 2009 • Use Ecosystem-based Approaches Achieving Multiple Benefits • Act Now • Engage All Sectors • Communicate and Collaborate • Increase Understanding • Ensure Appropriate Funding

9. The Way Forward • Six subsections developing further on the bullet points listed in the executive summary • 9 Action Boxes containing • suggestions for concrete actions • more longer term recommendations

10. Action Boxes (1) • Action Box 1:Integrated and ecosystem-based approaches • Maintain & restore wetlands, forests, oceans and seas as carbon and water stores and filters as well as habitat for wildlife • Use natural approaches to control and adapt to costal erosion • Green the cities • Promote ecosystem-based approaches in EU overseas entities • Develop by 2012 a comprehensive policy framework recognising the link between biodiversity, ecosystems and climate change

11. Action Boxes (2) • Action Box 2:International Dimension • Suggestions in view of the new climate change agreement to appropriately address biodiversity and ecosystems • Priority for co-benefit measures • Enhance collaboration between the Rio Conventions • Action Box 3: Immediate Action • Synergy and no regret actions • Reduction of other pressures on the environment to increase resilience and reduce vulnerability

12. Action Boxes (3) • Action Box 4:Buying Time • Protect – enlarge – connect • Various measures to increase resilience: • Retrieved and compiled from publications • Not necessarily complete • Maintain Diversity • Enhance Connectivity

13. Action Boxes (4) • Action Box 5:Engagement of other sectors • Fully implement the EU Biodiversity Action Plan • Table including suggestions for specific actions in a number of key sectors: • Agriculture, Regional Policy, Fisheries, Water, Forestry, Transport, Energy, Development Policy, Tourism • To be seen as a starting point, a thorough analysis would be useful, but goes beyond of the scope of the strategy paper

14. Action Boxes (5) • Action Box 6: Communication and Collaboration • Awareness campaigns • Education • Building of capacity and partnerships • Action Box 7:Increase Understanding • List of research gaps identified in literature • Not exhaustive

15. Action Boxes (6) • Action Box 8:Monitoring • Need for long-term monitoring • Encourage and assist existing monitoring networks • Support LTER as European contribution to the Global Climate Change Network planned by UNEP • Action Box 9:Funding • Examine and make best use of existing instruments • Appropriately address biodiversity and ecosystems in upcoming financial reviews • Explore the establishment of an « EU Integration Fund » • Likely controversial. Is it a good idea ?

16. The Climate Change – Biodiversity Nexus (1) • 3 Subsections – giving an overview • The Role of Biodiversity & Ecosystems and Ecosystem Services in Relation to Climate Change • Threats of Climate Change with Regards to the Achievement of Policy Goals • For nature conservation • Climate change impacts on biodiversity • For climate change • Co-benefits • Examples

17. The Climate Change – Biodiversity Nexus (2) • 5 Information Boxes : • Ecosystem services, TEEB, link to human well being • Water Framework Directive, Marine Strategy Directive • Nature directives, Biodiversity Communication, Climate Change policies • Synergies between mitigation and adaptation • Political statements regarding the link biodiversity and climate change • [additional box suggested: ecosystems based adaptation creates benefits for people]

18. Post scriptum • Final Reflection • Link Biodiversity Loss – Climate Change – Poverty Reduction • Looming tipping points • Complex interlinked challenges require solidarity and integrated approaches such as « ecosystem based approaches » involving people and providing potential multiple benefits • Acting on climate change and biodiversity loss both swiftly and in an integrated manner is the only rational insurance strategy against irreversible damage

19. Next steps • Draft has been sent for consultation to Working Group Members, copy to CGNB Members • Consultation inside DG ENV • Directorate B • Other units in DG ENV • Presentation to other fora: ENCA adaptation group, EIONET workshop, Experts Group under the Bern Convention • Intention to finalise the document during the next meeting of the EU Ad Hoc Expert Working Group on Biodiversity and Climate Change on 15 July • Possibly to be used by SE as background document for the Conference on « Visions for Biodiversity, Beyond 2010 – People, Ecosystem Services and the Climate Crisis, 7-9 September

20. Working with nature Thank you for your attention