the Fifth Science-Policy Forum for Biodiversity
and
the Eighth International Conference on Sustainability Science
13 April - 23 April, 2021
Organisers
Acknowledgement
Financial support for the organization of the virtual sessions is provided by University of Tokyo and IUBS
Other contributors
About
Introduction
The world community is currently in the process of developing an ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework to be adopted at the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15). The framework is intended, inter alia, to accelerate efforts to halt and reverse the global decline of biodiversity, contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and facilitate the transformational changes needed to place the global community on a path towards realizing the 2050 Vision of Living in Harmony with Nature.
How to realize this vision in practical terms, including mainstreaming biodiversity and fostering transformative change, should be examined by scientists, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders at various levels.
It is also necessary to discuss these issues among other multilateral environmental agreements (including biodiversity-related conventions, UNCCD, UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement) and within the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Objectives
The joint fifth Science-Policy Forum for Biodiversity and the eighth International Conference on Sustainability Science (ICSS 8) aim to provide space for scientists, policy makers and other relevant stakeholders to discuss and make recommendations on how science, technology and innovation could contribute to the effective implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework in order to bend the curve of biodiversity loss and obtain positive biodiversity outcomes and foster transformative change towards achieving the 2050 Vision.
In particular, participants will discuss options and solutions to facilitate the implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, including potential nature-based solutions for tackling both biodiversity loss and climate change challenges based on solid scientific knowledge and evidence. They will also identify key knowledge gaps and priorities for science-policy research, needs for capacity building and opportunities for increased technical and scientific cooperation.
Virtual Sessions
In light of the postponement of COP 15, and consequently of the fifth Science-Policy Forum for Biodiversity and ICSS 8, to October 2021, the co-organizers have decided to organize a virtual segment of the above events to keep the momentum and provide science-based inputs into the process for the development of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
The programme will include five virtual sessions to be held on 13, 15, 19, 21 and 23 April 2021. The sessions will last up to 120 minutes, starting at 6 am (Montreal Time).
Each session will have four to six panelists and a moderator and will include the possibility to interact with the participants via the chat. The panelists will be invited to respond to a limited number of questions during the live session. The exchange through the chat will remain open for three days after the end of each session to give an opportunity for the panelists to answer the questions posted and for the online discussions to continue.
Outputs
Participants will share experiences, knowledge, ideas and diverse perspectives on the various subjects. They will also showcase innovative solutions and tools that could facilitate the implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
The conclusions and recommendations of the virtual sessions will be prepared by a dedicated task team, involving the sessions’ co-leads, and will be submitted to the twenty-fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 24), the third meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI 3) and the third meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group to contribute to the preparation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. This would allow the fifth Science-Policy Forum for Biodiversity and ICSS-8 to contribute to the elaboration of the draft framework well in advance of COP 15.
Agenda
All times mentioned below are in Montreal, QC, Canada (GMT-4) timezone.
6:00 am - 6:30 am
Opening of the joint event
Co-chairs
Welcome addresses
H.E. Runqiu Huang
Minister
Ministry of Ecology and Environment of People’s Republic of China
6:30 am - 7:30 am
SESSION 1 – Part 1
A framework for transition: towards the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)
Description
The Co-chairs on the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework will present the goals, targets and indicators in the draft framework, and key scientists will provide an overview of how science, including social sciences, could better support planning, policy making, implementation and monitoring.
Co-chairs
Keynote presentations
Followed by Q&A
Contributors
7:45 am - 8:40 am
SESSION 1 – Part 2
BREAKOUT GROUP 1
Advancing solutions for transition
Chair
Description
This session will explore the feasibility, approaches, needs, opportunities and challenges of using scenarios and models as possible practical solutions to inform policymaking and decision-making towards the achievement of the Zero net biodiversity loss. The IPBES assessment described four different types of scenarios that can support policy review. IPBES also has been leading development of a new conceptual framework for biodiversity scenarios called Nature Future Framework (NFF). This framework forms the foundation for developing scenarios of positive futures for nature and captures the multiplicity of relationships between people and nature, to help inform assessments of policy options across multiple scales. The NFF is organized around three main perspectives, abbreviated as Nature for Nature, Nature for Society, and Nature as Culture. Participants will review the relationships between indirect and direct drivers of biodiversity loss and the linkages between biodiversity, ecosystem services, climate change adaptation and human well-being. Through this session, speakers and participants will discuss how new NFF can be operationalized and localized to achieve the targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework and several of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Presenters
Respondent
Followed by Q&A
Contributors
7:45 am - 8:40 am
BREAKOUT GROUP 2
Enabling conditions for transitioning to zero net habitat loss (zero net deforestation, land degradation and land use change)
Co-Chairs
Description
This breakout group will reflect on findings of recent research reports, such as the IUBS Report on “Actions on sustainable food production and consumption for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework”, to facilitate a dialogue with 2 experts followed by questions and answers.
The last two decades, efforts, although insufficient, were made across the globe to stop terrestrial habitat losses. The IPBES report pointed out the main drivers for these losses and also identified some of the conditions should be made available for solutions to be implemented. Two pathways ought to be put in place to stop deforestation for human uses and to replace natural habitats to achieve ZERO NET HABITAT LOSS. In this session, we will discuss the feasibility of implementing those enabling conditions (which changes need to be made and how, when, where, political will, trade-offs on “investing” on more land-protection, challenges for developing countries; which changes in developed countries? 50% of their lands converted for restoration? Protection?) to achieve both the ambitions of the biodiversity convention and those of the SDGs .
Presenters
Followed by Q&A
Contributors
8:40 am - 9:00 am
CLOSING
Return of all participants to the plenary to report final conclusions
Co-chairs
Reporting by
All times mentioned below are in Montreal, QC, Canada (GMT-4) timezone.
6:00 am - 7:30 am
SESSION 2
Round table on biodiversity monitoring and data
Description
This roundtable will explore measures needed to improve the mobilization and sharing of data, information and knowledge required to support the implementation of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. Participants will, inter alia, explore options for promoting the establishment of biodiversity monitoring systems and protocols, discuss policies and best practices to ensure that data is shared in standardized formats to enable re-use and universal access; and identify indicators and tools to ensure that data, information and knowledge are made available in formats that can support policy and decision making, planning and implementation relating to biodiversity.
Chair / Introduction to the session
Block 1: The data challenge
Block 2: Key data needs
Block 3: The data and monitoring investment
Final discussion, questions from audience
Reinforce key messages and aim for ‘call for action’ responses with a particular focus on upcoming SBSTTA and SBI meetings. To be moderated by Tim Hirsch.
Contributors
VertNet
All times mentioned below are in Montreal, QC, Canada (GMT-4) timezone.
6:00 am - 6:35 am
SESSION 3
Harnessing science, technology and innovations to support the implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework
Chair
Description
This session will provide an opportunity to further discuss how science, technology and innovation could be better harnessed to support the implementation of the post 2020 global biodiversity framework, especially at the regional, national and local levels. This will build on the outcomes of the UN Summit on Biodiversity (Leaders’ Dialogue 2) held in September 2020.
Keynote presentations
Ms. Yan Liu
Director of the Research Center of Biodiversity Conservation and Biosafety
Conservation and Biosafety
Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences (NIES), Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China
The role of scientific and technological innovation in promoting biodiversity conservation
Contributors
6:35 am - 7:40 am
BREAKOUT GROUP 1
Biodiversity, Climate and Livelihoods: Implications for the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
Chair
Description
Ecosystem health is being damaged by climate change, in turn causing loss of livelihoods, food insecurity and other socio-economic effects at community and regional levels within countries. Together these impacts make it more difficult to break vicious poverty cycles and can worsen ecological degradation and biodiversity loss.
A nexus approach examines interdependencies among key components of complex socio-ecological systems. When combined with adaptive planning and management such research can lead to better outcomes such as low carbon rural development, protection of ecological services and sustainable livelihoods. This approach emphasizes livelihood improvement to break cycles of poverty while restoring ecosystems, and helping local communities to adapt to climate change.
Working with nature is necessary to create local prosperity and a better quality of life. The benefits cannot be optimized without significant policy realignments, long-term financial investment and capacity development at local levels. Green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is a prime case for considering a nexus approach.
The breakout discussion will consider the following questions:
- Successful policy requires understanding of the relationship between nature and livelihoods. What gaps in sciences still need to be filled?
- On management, what are the enabling conditions for better solutions to the intertwined crises of biodiversity and ecosystems, climate change and livelihoods?
Presenters
6:35 am - 7:40 am
BREAKOUT GROUP 2
The current landscape of renewable energy technologies and applications, and its impact on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity
Chair
Description
Breakout group 2 will consider the following questions:
- How different renewable energy technologies can drive ecosystem change and contribute to biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration as nature-based solutions (NbS)?
- How can we promote a sustainable energy transition without losing biodiversity and producing negative social impacts?
- How policies and projects of renewable energy and NbS can be operationalized and implemented to achieve the targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals?
Presenters
Respondent
Followed by Q&A
7:40 am - 8:00 am
CLOSING
Return of all participants to the plenary to report final conclusions
Chair
Reporting by
All times mentioned below are in Montreal, QC, Canada (GMT-4) timezone.
10:00 am - 11:30 am
SESSION 4
Links between loss of biodiversity, climate change and zoonotic diseases
Description
Today, more than ever before, the links between biodiversity loss and the emergence of new zoonotic diseases such as Ebola and COVID-19 are undeniable. “The continuing loss of biodiversity on a global scale represents both direct and indirect threats to our health and wellbeing. Biodiversity loss and ecosystem change, including through land use change, habitat fragmentation and loss, and climate change, can increase the risk of disease emergence and spread among people, animals and other living species.” An IPBES Workshop Report on Biodiversity and Pandemics also noted that pandemics will emerge more often and spread more rapidly in the future, unless there is a transformative change in the global approach to dealing with the links between nature degradation and zoonotic diseases.
This session will focus on the issue of health and biodiversity. Scientists will discuss and make recommendations to guide the world community on possible ways to avoid or minimize future pandemics by restoring the balance between nature and humans.
Co-chairs
Presenters
Followed by Q&A
Contributors
All times mentioned below are in Montreal, QC, Canada (GMT-4) timezone.
6:00 am - 7:30 am
SESSION 5
Young Scholars and Professionals Session: Ecological Restoration - framing challenges and opportunities
Description
The UN has declared 2021-2030 as the UN Decade of Ecological Restoration. In this session we have invited young scholars and professionals to discuss and give examples of new initiatives of ecological restoration and nature-based solutions from many different habitats in many different parts of the world. There is an urgent need to reverse the trend in land degradation resulting from e.g. harmful policies such as subsidies for intensive farming or weak tenure laws that encourage deforestation. Investments in restoration activities have the potential of restoring biodiversity and thus also ecological functions and ecosystem services, such as removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and storing carbon in the ground. The economic benefits of such interventions exceed many times the cost of investment in a diverse set of habitats including forests, farmlands, cities, wetlands and oceans. For these investments to be successful there is a need for a massive mobilization of natural science, social science, economics, but also practitioners and other professionals. Initiatives for nature-based solutions and ecological restoration are inherently inclusive and often involve a diverse set of stakeholders. Over time these initiatives are necessary to help us more rapidly achieve the targets of the global biodiversity framework and several of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Chair
Presenters
Moderated discussion with Panel
Contributors
7:45 am - 8:45 am
SDG Labs - Biodiversity-Solutions for Change
Description
The SDG LABS is a virtual session with 6 teams from different continents, addressing how various biodiversity-utilizing approaches can be used as a soliton for achieving sustainability. The biodiversity-based SDG Labs are groups that bring together participants from a range of research disciplines and sectors of society to develop solutions to complex problems that help to make progress towards implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Solutions that SDG Labs propose are anchored on biodiversity, evidence-based, have legitimacy within the stakeholder groups, identifying pathways to societal transformation, mapping actors, and evaluating synergies, trade-offs and risks. In this session, the biodiversity-based SDG Labs will present their mid-term or results. It will be a mid-term platform for communication between project groups, it will facilitate planning for the next step for lab activities and scaling up their actions to regional or national level. The aspiration of the SDG labs is that they plant seeds of change that can grow and spread, inspire and provide knowledge for transformation on a greater scale.
Chair
Presenters
Contributors
8:45 am - 9:15 am
Closing Session
Co-chairs
Reporting by
Remarks will be made by representatives of co-organizing institutions.
Global coordinators
Registration
Registrations are closed for the conference.