London, UK — August 29, 2025
To keep global warming to below 1.5 degrees and halt biodiversity losses, policies must put nature at the heart of ambitious climate actions, urges international research group BioCAM4 (Biodiversity Integration in Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Actions for Planet, People, and Human Health).
The new article, published today in the Journal of Applied Ecology, calls for ‘Integrated Nature-Climate Action’ to address the systemic drivers of the environmental crisis, challenging the growing reliance on ecosystem-based solutions as a one-size-fits-all approach to integrating biodiversity into climate policy.
“To meet the targets set out in the Paris Agreement and the Global Biodiversity Framework, policymakers are under pressure to deliver on both climate and biodiversity targets. However, siloed approaches are undermining progress,” said Dr. Hollie Folkard-Tapp, lead author of the study. “NbS are an essential tool for this job, but there are many others we need to start adding to our collective toolbox.
These interventions, that we call Integrated Nature-Climate Actions (INCAs), could deliver co-benefits for biodiversity, climate, and human health, without relying solely on ecosystems already under stress. They can address key challenges facing the global community and empower more people make a difference.”
“Climate change and biodiversity loss are inseparable. By embracing integrated action, we can protect vulnerable communities and build a more resilient future. All levels of government, non-state actors, and multilateral agencies have a key role to play in placing integrated nature-climate actions at the centre of their action plans” said Idil Boran, Professor at York University in Canada and Principal Investigator of the BioCAM4 Research Consortium.
As the world approaches a critical moment in climate negotiations with COP30 in Brazil this November, the paper outlines a set of policy-driven interventions that can complement NbS in accelerating progress toward global goals. With over 80% of countries yet to submit their updated climate targets, ahead of COP30, these can be incorporate now. The key recommendations include:
- Reforming environmentally harmful subsidies
- Expanding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws and banning planned obsolescence
- Recognising Indigenous and community land tenure
- Promoting planetary health diets
The BioCAM4 research consortium, made up of 22 researchers from seven institutions worldwide, combines cutting-edge biodiversity monitoring with policy engagement to support more integrated, inclusive, and effective nature-climate strategies.
The full paper is available at https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.70130.
Consortium Spokespeople
- Dr. Idil Boran, Principal Investigator, BioCAM4
- Dr. Hollie Folkard-Tapp, Lead author
- Professor Nathalie Pettorelli, UCL
- Dr Sander Chan, Radboud University
- Mr Fidele Ruzigandekwe, Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration
- Dr Angele Alook, York University
- Dr Joanes Atela, Africa Research Impact Network (ARIN)
For more information, please contact:
Annette Dubreuil, afdubreu@yorku.ca | 1.416.825.1474
Background Information: About BioCAM4
BioCAM4 – Biodiversity Integration in Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Actions for Climate, People, and Human Health
BioCAM4 is coordinated by the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research (York University, Canada), with consortium partners IDOS – German Institute of Development and Sustainability, Institute of Zoology (IoZ, UK), Radboud University and project partners Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE, Costa Rica), African Research Impact Network (ARIN), and Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (Africa). The project advances knowledge and policy on nature‑based climate actions that deliver co‑benefits for biodiversity, human health, and local livelihoods through global mapping and regional case studies. To learn more, visit www.biocam4.com.