Ecosystem-based climate change adaptation and mitigation: learning and sharing among cultures

Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) offers a valuable yet under-utilized approach for climate change adaptation and mitigation, complementing traditional actions such as infrastructure development. EbA uses biodiversity and... [ view full abstract ]

Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) offers a valuable yet under-utilized approach for climate change adaptation and mitigation, complementing traditional actions such as infrastructure development. EbA uses biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall strategy to help communities adapt to climate change at local, national, regional or global levels. As part of nature-based solutions, appropriately designed EbA initiatives can also contribute to climate change mitigation by reducing emissions from ecosystem loss and degradation, and enhancing carbon sequestration. Since historical times, human communities have had to adapt to changing climate and several of them have maintained their own practices over centuries. Many cultures across the world have already enhanced their adaptive capacities to respond to climate change challenges using their own traditional knowledge and cultural practices. Case studies have been gathered to demonstrate how these principles can be used. It is time to examine what we have learned from various cultures and reevaluate the principles of ecosystem-based adaptation based on such experiences. For example, the importance of the roles of the community and their level of governance has been underlined as essential for effective EbA. The workshop will be an opportunity to discuss the principles through presentations of a few projects and aim to extract with the participation of the attendees the main ingredients that should be considered to ensure effective EbA outcomes. There remains a lot of learning from various cultures across the globe to find alternatives nature-based solutions that can be accessible to others.