Integrating Wildlife Conservation into National Climate Plans: New Guidelines Launched

On October 21, 2024, IFAW launched guidelines to integrate wildlife conservation into national climate plans at COP16 in Cali, Colombia. The guidelines offer ten actionable steps for countries to enhance NDCs, highlighting wildlife’s role in carbon sequestration and climate resilience. Simon Addison emphasized the practical approach of these guidelines, addressing the frequently overlooked benefits of wildlife in climate strategies. The guidelines also outline economic advantages and sustainable development opportunities for biodiversity-rich regions. The full guidelines are available for download.

On October 21, 2024, in Cali, Colombia, a new set of guidelines was launched to facilitate the incorporation of wildlife conservation into national climate plans. This initiative, presented at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16), aims to enhance government efforts to address climate change by recognizing the importance of wildlife in supporting carbon sequestration and climate resilience. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) unveiled its document titled “Wildlife Guidelines for NDCs: Integrating Wildlife Conservation into National Climate Action Plans,” which provides essential recommendations for countries as they prepare to update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for 2025, in compliance with the Paris Agreement. These guidelines are not merely theoretical; they comprise ten actionable steps that nations can adopt to weave wildlife conservation into their climate strategies effectively. Simon Addison, Climate Advisor at IFAW, emphasized the practical application of these guidelines. He remarked, “We are offering governments a clear, practical roadmap to harness the power of wildlife conservation for mitigating climate change and strengthening climate resilience and adaptation. These guidelines are not just theoretical—they provide 10 actionable steps that nations can use to integrate wildlife into their NDCs, strengthening both climate action and biodiversity conservation.” Despite the pressing climate crisis, current climate strategies frequently overlook the potential benefits of wildlife conservation. The newly established guidelines draw attention to the fact that many countries, especially those rich in biodiversity but vulnerable to climate change, have not incorporated wildlife into their greenhouse gas inventories or broader climate initiatives. This gap represents a missed opportunity to enhance climate resilience while also protecting biodiversity. Addison further elaborated, “With these guidelines, we are providing nations with tools to tackle wildlife conservation not just as an environmental priority but as a cornerstone of climate action. Countries now have the tools to make wildlife a central part of their climate strategies, thereby amplifying their efforts on both mitigation and adaptation.” The guidelines underscore the importance of keystone species—such as elephants and whales—that contribute significantly to carbon storage. By protecting and managing these species, countries can improve overall ecosystem health and enhance carbon capture. Furthermore, the guidelines outline ten clear steps for countries to implement, such as identifying priority species for protection and aligning wildlife initiatives with national greenhouse gas inventories. They also highlight the economic benefits of wildlife conservation, suggesting that such efforts can lead to sustainable livelihoods in biodiversity-rich Least Developed Countries while unlocking new avenues for carbon finance. The full set of guidelines is accessible for download at the IFAW website.

The integration of wildlife conservation into national climate plans represents a crucial step in addressing the dual challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), established under the Paris Agreement, are commitments made by countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for climate impacts. However, many nations have failed to incorporate wildlife conservation into these frameworks, resulting in an undervaluation of the ecological services provided by wildlife, such as carbon sequestration. The guidelines introduced by IFAW aim to bridge this gap by offering concrete and actionable steps for countries to enhance their climate strategies through a wildlife conservation lens.

In summary, the newly launched guidelines by IFAW present a significant opportunity for nations to advance both climate action and biodiversity conservation effectively. By integrating wildlife conservation into national climate plans, countries can leverage the ecological benefits provided by wildlife for enhanced climate resilience and carbon sequestration. As nations prepare to update their NDCs, these guidelines serve as a vital resource, ensuring that wildlife conservation is recognized as a cornerstone of comprehensive climate strategies.

Original Source: www.ifaw.org