Submission of views and information on biodiversity and climate change (Notification 2025-005 Ref.: SCBD/SSSF/JL/SS/TT/92042)

Dear Executive Secretary,

As a group of 191 climate scientists, ecologists, social scientists, law and governance scholars, policy experts, environmental management professionals from 57 countries, we appreciate the opportunity to respond to the call for submissions on biodiversity and climate change. The deep interconnections between biodiversity loss, climate change and desertification demand an integrated global policy framework that ensures coherence, effectiveness, and sustainedaction across the three Rio conventions.

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) are pivotal intergovernmentalplatforms for addressing the global polycrisis we are facing. But they cannot continue to operate in silos. Despite repeated calls for greater synergy, a fully developed science-informed joint policy framework, necessary for effective global action, is still lacking. While progress has been made in fostering collaboration, a more structured and sustained approachis required. Such an approach would help address the urgent need for effective transfer, exchange and management ofscientific evidence and other forms of knowledge to facilitate integrated evidence-based decisions that synergistically support the identification and implementation of measures to address all three interconnected challenges.

An integrated global policy framework would not only help mitigate the adverse interactions between biodiversity loss, land degradation and climate change, it would also facilitate long-term alignment in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the Paris Agreement. Additionally, such a framework would helplay the foundation for a global framework for desertification to achieve and maintain land degradation neutrality whileimproving and ensuring human well-being. As the implementation of the GBF and the Paris Agreement progresses, both the CBD and UNFCCC Secretariats are, in particular, uniquely positioned to lead by example and demonstrate how structured collaboration can fulfill their respective mandates, unlock synergies, and enhance the efficiency and cost- effectiveness of multilateral sustainability governance. Close coordination will be particularly important to identify and address the trade-offs and risks associated with a range of climate and biodiversity solutions and interventions; to ensure finance is deployed so as to optimize co-benefits across the conventions; and to coordinate policies around the world that benefit climate, nature and people in a cohesive and integrated manner. A dedicated platform that advances a science-informed environmental agenda that equally supports biodiversity conservation, restoration of degraded terrestrial and marine ecosystems, sustainable land management, and climate change mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage, isthus critically needed to assist Parties in meeting their multilateral commitments across these intrinsically interconnected areas.

Because of this, and following the welcomed Decision 16/22 on Biodiversity and Climate Change Decision from COP16 in Cali, we urge the establishment of a Joint Work Programme (JWP) between the Rio Conventions. We believe a JWPwould provide a sustained, institutionalized structure to advance cooperation and align the implementation of agreements across conventions. A JWP can draw on precedent and successful work across the Rio Conventions while providing more structure and accountability than ad hoc coordinationor memorandums of understanding could. It would also serve as a clear mechanism to fully operationalize Article 5 of theParis Agreement, supporting Parties to further advance their commitments on taking action to conserve and enhance sinksand reservoirs of greenhouse gases, while reinforcing Article 7, by integrating ecosystems in climate adaptation commitments and disaster risk reduction. Additionally, it would facilitate progress on Target 8 of the GBF on minimizing the impact of climate change on biodiversity and building resilience. A JWP would also create a shared platform for ambitious, integrated action that upholds the rights and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, recognizing their role as stewards of nature.

Below, we provide suggestions on the scope and governance mechanisms that could be considered for this JWP, and highlight how it could benefit finance mobilization, and inform efforts to address the current human health crisis. We alsohighlight the importance of the UNCCD to finalize the development of its strategic framework to ensure a fully integrated approach across the Rio Conventions.

Joint Work Programme Scope

A JWP should facilitate bringing together Parties, ideas, people, organizations and the processes necessary for joining the dots on how to both stabilize our climate, restore our degraded lands and seas, and recover our nature. Its scope should cover the terrestrial, marine and freshwater realms and include:

• providing guidance to Parties towards the alignment of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) under the CBD, with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) under theUNFCCC, and the National Action Programmes under the UNCCD, to ensure shared objectives;
• serving as a hub for developing and strengthening methods to monitor and review progress on the interdependent objectives of the GBF and the Paris Agreement, while ensuring coordination with the UNCCD. This should include organizing technical expert dialogues, that bring together diverse disciplines (academics and practitioners) and holders of traditional knowledge;
• identifying climate actions that are harmful to biodiversity and people, and transform or quarantine/end them to ensure joint objectives of the Conventions are met in a just and fair manner;
• investigating where finance (both public and private) is being allocated towards achieving the goals of the Rioconventions, ensuring that it is not being allocated in a manner that undermines the goals of one Convention at the expense of another; and,
• strengthening synergies at regional and sub-regional levels to increase the effectiveness of products, initiatives and projects relevant to all three Conventions.

Such a wide scope would ensure that the JWP helps catalyze a whole-of-society approach to the synergetic planning and implementation of national climate, biodiversity and land restoration plans, investments and strategies, establishing standards to monitor and measure success that jointly address the goals of the Rio Conventions. The JWP could inform the critical and fast developing realm of voluntary actions on biodiversity, land and climate by a diversity of actors acrosssectors, by, for example, facilitating harmonization of Action Agendas — including alignment in efforts to develop criteria or processes to raise ambition and credibility in voluntary actions — between the conventions. By fostering stronger synergies, integration and alignment in the planning and implementation of national climate, biodiversity and land restoration plans, investments and strategies, it would also encourage coherence and interoperability across data sources and data collection, metrics and methodologies, and voluntary reporting frameworks. Improved data sharing and methodological coherence could act as an efficiency multiplier, and cost and time saver, for Parties to the Rio conventions.

Joint Work Programme Governance

A JWP should be mandated by the Parties to the Rio Conventions and advanced with attention to processes and outcomes related to social, economic, community, global and intergenerational justice, while honouring and supporting the rights and contributions of Indigenous Peoples and local communities around the world. The JWP’s composition should reflect equal representation among the Rio conventions, with three co-chairs appointed by the CBD, UNCCD andUNFCCC, respectively. The membership should have balanced representation from the respective subsidiary bodies for implementation and for scientific, technical and technological advice of the three conventions. To quickstart the JWP, additional external experts could be appointed via nomination for the first years; however, the consideration of a rotational basis for subsequent cycles would add rigour and accountability.

The JWP’s priorities should be set by Parties. To be effective, a SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant,Time-bound) plan should be developed for addressing the financial, technical and capacity needs required for its successful delivery.

The JWP should include a mandate for collaboration and coordination with observer organisations, including in the development of priorities and action plans. It should engage in open communication with, and build on outputs from, intergovernmental and regional science-policy platforms such as the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the UNCCDScience-Policy Interface (UNCCD SPI) as well as regional science-policy platforms such as the Science Panel for theAmazon and the newly formed Science Panel for the Congo Basin. Interactions between these entities could, for example, lead to the JWP suggesting topics to Parties for future IPCC and IPBES reports.

The scope of the JWP is expected to be wide enough to cover key topics of interest to the implementation of the strategic framework of the three Rio Conventions. To facilitate this, the establishment of task forces could be instrumental inenabling open channels of communication with other work programmes currently undertaken in each Convention. For example, time-limited task forces could make recommendations forspecific application areas, such as climate adaptation, climate mitigation, finance, metrics for measuring success,capacity building, and engagement with nonstate and subnational actors, providing important opportunities to share experiences and enhance mutual learning.

As such, a JWP could support domestic implementation (by e.g. facilitating discussions around technical challenges),regional collaboration on shared challenges, but also inform intergovernmental negotiations occurring in each convention (by e.g. providing parties with relevant background and advise on key synergetic issues). For instance, Parties to the CBD and UNFCCC could benefit from the JWP through facilitated demonstrations and peer exchanges on aligningNBSAPs with NDCs and NAPs. At the same time, Parties would have the opportunity to shape the JWP’s priorities by coordinating inputs through bodies such as the SBSTTA and SBI. These multi-scale capacities of a JWP are what will make it a powerful tool in enabling coordinated and efficient action for climate, nature and people, ensuring effective delivery while maximizing cost saving through joint up planning and implementation in meeting shared goals. To ensure consistent and effective engagement, the establishment of a dedicated liaison point within each Secretariat should be considered to facilitate direct interactions between the JWP, Parties and the Conventions.

Benefits of having a Joint Work Programme for mobilizing finance

A JWP could play a crucial role in mobilizing effective and equitable finance for aligned implementation, addressing persistent financing barriers. Current funding structures allocate separate budgets to each convention, creating funding silos and gaps that limit cost-effective and inclusive support for biodiversity-, climate-, land- and community-centered initiatives. The new Global Environmental Facility fund for biodiversity complements existing funding mechanisms for climate adaptation and mitigation, but greater coordination is critical to close remaining funding gaps.

A JWP can help bridge these gaps by aligning funding flows to support biodiversity conservation, land and climate action, ensuring coordinated and accountable resourcing reaches the actors who need them most. It could play a role in terms of helping resolve issues around double counting, which have historically driven the siloing of finances, and serve an important role in addressing the finance gap for nature- and people-centered practices that honour and support therights and contributions of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Such a JWP could also provide guidance to global funding entities, helping parties meet their commitments under the three Conventions while scaling up finance and capacity-strengthening efforts. By prioritizing nature- and people-centered practices, it could help ensure funding supports Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, recognizing their rights, knowledge, and contributions as essential stewards of nature.

Joint Work Programme and Human Health

A JWP could play a crucial role in addressing the compound impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss, as well as desertification and increasing aridification on human health. These crises are deeply interconnected, and their combined effects pose escalating risks to health and well-being globally. A coordinated approach supported by the establishment ofa JWP could help mitigate these risks in several key ways, for example by (i) fostering collaboration between health,environment, and other sectors; (ii) promoting health systems that integrate ecosystem-based adaptation and nature-based solutions into health policies to build resilience, and (iii) ensuring that actions considered by the Rio conventions not only benefit climate, land and biodiversity but also contribute to human health resilience, notably by assessing the unintended consequences of these actions using an integrated framework informed by the IPBES Nexus assessment.

The establishment of a JWP could be particularly relevant to the implementation of Article 7 of the Paris Agreement (Global Goal on Adaptation, GGA), which aims to drive collective action on climate adaptation. The Glasgow–Sharm el-Sheikh work programme on the GGA is indeed explicitly seeking to

(1) strengthen resilience against climate-related health impacts, promote climate-resilient health services, and reduceclimate-related morbidity and mortality, particularly in the most vulnerable communities; and

(2) reduce climate impacts on ecosystems and accelerating the use of ecosystem-based adaptation and nature-based solutions, including through management, enhancement, restoration and conservation and the protection of terrestrial, inland water, mountain, marine and coastal ecosystems. A JWP could significantly inform interventions and actions to meet such targets.

Importance of developing a strategic framework for the UNCCD

As the custodian agency of SDG indicator 15.3.1 on Land Degradation Neutrality, the UNCCD plays a critical role inaddressing land degradation, desertification and drought. Yet, the UNCCD currently lacks a comprehensive action plan comparable to the GBF and the Paris Agreement. To further strengthen coordination between the UNCCD, CBD, and UNFCCC and ensure a fully integrated approach across the Rio Conventions, there is a need for the UNCCD to finalize the development of its strategic framework. Until then, the establishment of a JWP across the Rio Conventions may want to focus on cross-convention issues directly relevant to the implementation of the Paris agreement and the GBF. A jointCBD/UNFCCC work programme could be established as a time-bounded initiative that would help lay the groundwork for enhanced structures and processes for coordination and collaboration, and potential expansion to include the UNCCD in the future.

Conclusion

 Significant policy experience has been gained through work programmes. Under the UNFCCC alone, multiple work programmes have been launched, including for example the Sharm-El-Sheikh Mitigation and Implementation WorkProgramme, the Glasgow–Sharm El Sheikh Work Programme on the Global Goal on Adaptation, and the Ad Hoc Work Programme on the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance. Despite these efforts, none of these work programmes have been jointly established with other UN conventions. This lackof coordination is a missed opportunity for greater synergy between climate, biodiversity, and land degradation neutrality goals and associated targets. We urge the CBD to build on the successes of COP16 and champion the establishment of aJWP, working with its fellow Rio Conventions to provide the much-needed integrated global policy framework to address the polycrisis we face. We stand ready to provide technical support and welcome further dialogue andcollaboration to advance this agenda.

Yours faithfully,

Prof. Nathalie Pettorelli, Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, UK

Prof. Idil Boran, Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, York University, Canada Dr. Sander Chan, Radboud University, The Netherlands

Prof. Ines Dombrowsky, Department of Environmental Governance, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Germany

Prof. Dawn Bazely, Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Canada

Dr. Angele Alook, School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies, York University, Toronto, Canada Pablo Imbach, Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), Costa Rica

Tea Skinjaric, Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), Costa Rica

Prof. Felipe Montoya-Greenheck, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, York University, Toronto, Canada

Dr Joanes Atela, Africa Research & Impact Network, Nairobi, Kenya

Fidele Ruzigandekwe, Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC), Kigali, Rwanda

Dr. Tarra Penney, Global Food System & Policy Research, School of Global Health, York University, Canada

Dr. Srinivasa Reddy Srigiri, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Germany Dr Hollie Folkard-Tapp, Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, UK

Paul Hagenstroem, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Germany Tim Moeschl, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Germany Annette Dubreuil, York University, Canada

All members of BioCAM4 – Biodiversity Integration in Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Actions for Planet, People, and Human Health, a multidisciplinary research consortium that brings together ecologists, social scientists, policy andgovernance scholars, and ethicists across multiple world regions

 

Together with

Prof. Mercedes Bustamante, Department of Ecology, University of Brasília, Brazil Prof. Pedro H. S. Brancalion, University of São Paulo, Brazil

Prof. Philip M. Fearnside, National Institute for Research in Amazonia (INPA), Manaus, Brazil

Dr. Adalberto Luis Val, Brazilian National Institute for Research in Amazonia (INPA), Manaus, Brazil Dr. Cássio Cardoso Pereira, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Dr. Felipe Melo, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil Dr. Walisson Kenedy-Siqueira, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Dr. Tadeu Siqueira, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand and Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Rio Claro, Brazil

Clóvis Ricardo Schrappe Borges, Executive Director – Society for Wildlife Research and Environmental Education – SPVS, Brazil

Anke Manuela Salzmann, Boticário Group Foundation, Brazil Juliana Baladelli Ribeiro, Boticário Group Foundation, Brazil Letícia Benavalli, Executive Director,Pró-Onça Institute, Brazil

Ricardo Aguiar Borges, Coordinator, Atlantic Forest Great Reserve Initiative, Brazil

Fernando Campos, Conservation and Climate Finance Manager, Sitawi – Finance for Good, Brazil Prof. Nicola Clerici,Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Colombia

Dr. Carolina Pardo-Diaz, Dean School of Natural Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Colombia Dr. Benjamin Quesada, Universidad del Rosario, Colombia

Dr. Alvaro Avila-Diaz, Earth System Science Program, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Colombia

Andrés Mogro, Coordinador en Ecuador del Proyecto Regional Andes Resilientes al Cambio Climático, Ecuador

Maria Jose Lopez Ortiz, Program Coordinator, Fundacion Avina, Paraguay

Dr. Micaela Trimble, South American Institute for Resilience and Sustainability Studies, and Universidad de la República, Uruguay

Dr. Javier Lopatin, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Chile Dr. Diva Amon,SpeSeas Director, Trinidad and Tobago

Dr. Melanie Kolb, Institute of Geography, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico Dr Malik Oedin, President Gardiens Des Iles (NGO), New Caledonia

Prof. Akira S Mori, The University of Tokyo, Japan

Dr. I-Ching Chen, Vice Dean of the College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan

Dr. Alice Hughes, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Dr. Jin Wu, Assistant Professor, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Prof. Lian Pin Koh, Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore, Singapore

Prof. Jian Zhang, Sun Yat-sen University, China

Dr. Chi Yeung Choi, Assistant Professor, Duke Kunshan University, China Dr. Xudong Zhu, Xiamen University, China

Dr. Fahmuddin Agus, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia Agus Sari, Chief Executive Officer at Landscape Indonesia, Indonesia

Dr Sunita Chaudhary, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Nepal

Dr. Ramanathan Thirugnanasambandam, Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, India

Dr. Gautam Talukdar, Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, India 

Prof. Carlos Duarte, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Ali A Berbash, Head of protected area & biodiversity section, Nature conservation Department, Ministry of Environment, Libya

Prof. Mohamed Salah Romdhane, Director of the Aquatic Ecosystems and Resources laboratory, University of Carthage, Tunisia

Dr. Joseph Onoja, Director General/CEO, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Nigeria

Prof. Funmilola Ajani, Initiative for Biodiversity Conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa (IBCSSA), University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

Dr. Ufuoma Efe Akpovwovwo, Department of Geography and Regional Planning, Delta State University, Nigeria.

Dr. Ngozi M. Oguguah, Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, Nigeria

Dr. Timothy A. Balag’kutu, Centre for Peace and Security Research, University of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana

Dr. Osman Gedow Amir, Somali Wildlife and Natural History Society and National Museum of Somalia, Somalia

Dr. Imran Ejotre, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Muni University, Uganda Yves Shema, CIFOR-ICRAF, Rwanda

Blaise Mudodosi, Coordonnateur National de l’ONG Actions pour la Promotion et Protection des Peuples et Espèces Menacés en RDC, APEM RDC, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dr. Handa Collins, Lecturer and Ecologist, Technical University of Kenya, Kenya

Dr. Patrick O. Onyango, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Zoology and Dean School of Graduate Studies, Maseno University, Kenya

Florence Onyango, Africa Research & Impact Network, Kenya

Dr. Asanterabi Lowassa, Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute and Nikinjiye Organisation, Tanzania Raymond Okick, Research Scientist, Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), Tanzania Prof. Emma Archer, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Prof. Andrew E. McKechnie, University of Pretoria and South African National Biodiversity Institute,

South Africa

Prof. Frances Siebert, Unit of Environmental Sciences, North-West University, South Africa Dr. Kaera Coetzer, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Dr. Odirilwe Selomane, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Prof. Laura Pereira, Global Change Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa and Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Sweden

Prof. Jeff Ollerton, Visiting Professor of Biodiversity at the University of Northampton, UK, and Visiting Professor at the Kunming Institute of Botany, China

Prof. Andrew Cunningham, Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, UK Prof. Sarah Durant, Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, UK

Bethan Laughlin, Zoological Society of London, UK

Prof. Rosie Hails MBE FRSB, Honorary Professor University of Exeter and Cranfield University, National Trust, UK

Prof. Mark Maslin, Pro-Vice Provost of the UCL Climate Crisis Grand Challenge, University College London, UK

Prof. Dame E.J. Milner-Gulland, Department of Biology & Merton College, University of Oxford, UK Prof. Paul Behrens, British Academy Global Professor, University of Oxford, UK

Dr. Nick Isaac, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, UK

Dr. Martin Wilkes, School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, UK

Dr. Rachel Carmenta, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and the School of Global Development, University of East Anglia, UK

Prof. Kevin J. Gaston, Environment & Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, UK Prof. Luca Börger, Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, UK

Prof. Jos Barlow, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK

Prof. Lindsay Stringer, York Environmental Sustainability Institute, University of York, UK

Prof. Darren M. Evans, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, UK Prof. Pete Smith, University of Aberdeen, UK

Prof. Yvonne Buckley, Co-Director Co-Centre for Climate + Biodiversity + Water, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

Dr. Mark Dickey-Collas, Adjunct Professor, DTU-Aqua, Denmark

Prof. Jens-Christian Svenning, Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark

Prof. Michele Betsill, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Dr. Robert Buitenwerf, Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark

Prof. Nils Chr. Stenseth, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Norway

Prof. Nigel Yoccoz, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway Dr. Robert Lewis,Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Norway

Prof. Vigdis Vandvik, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Norway

Prof. Johan Olofsson, Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå Uniiversity, Sweden Prof. Timo Vesala, University of Helsinki, Finland

Tero Mustonen, Snowchange Cooperative Chair, Finland

Prof. Virginija Podeniene, Institute of Biosciences, Vilnius University, Lithuania

Prof. Aveliina Helm, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia Prof. Joyeeta Gupta, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Dr. Ina Lehmann, Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Marcel Kok, Programme Lead International Nature Policy, PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, The Netherlands

Dr. Gus Greenstein, Institute of Public Administration, Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs, Leiden University, The Netherlands

Prof. Dr Rik Leemans, Emeritus Professor in Environmental Systems Analysis, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands and Honorary Professor of Global Change, TIIAME National Research University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Gertjan Storm, ambassador of The Netherlands, retired; support Biodiversa+ research network, Brussels, Belgium

Prof. Hans-O. Poertner, Alfred-Wegener-Institute, Germany

Prof. Silke Beck, Department of Science, Technology and Society (STS), Technical University of Munich, Germany

Ralf Roechert, Head of Strategic Science Communication, Alfred Wegener Institute – Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research, Germany

Prof. Josef Settele, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Germany

Prof. Anna-Katharina Hornidge, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) & University of Bonn, Germany

Prof. Almut Arneth, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany

Dr. Steffen Bauer, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Germany Prof. Charlotte Streck, University of Potsdam, Germany

Dr. Carsten Meyer, German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Germany

Daniela Rizzi, Senior Expert for Nature Based Solutions, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity, ICLEI Europe, Germany

Prof. Ruben Sommaruga, University of Innsbruck, Austria

Dr. Setu Pelz, Energy, Climate and Environment (ECE) Program, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Austria

Dr. Jerneja Penca, Science and Research Centre Koper, Slovenia

Prof. András Báldi, HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, Hungary Dr. Péter Batáry, HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, Hungary

Prof. Dan Cogălniceanu, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Agricultural Sciences, University Ovidius Constanta, Romania

Dr. Özge Balkız, Biodiversity Conservation Programme Coordinator, Doğa Koruma Merkezi, Türkiye Dr. Zuhre Aksoy,Department of Political Science and International Relations, Bogazici University, Türkiye

Dr. Harun Guclusoy, Head of Scientific Monitoring Department at Mediterranean Conservation Society, Türkiye

Prof. Carlo Rondinini, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy Prof. Louisa Parks, University of Trento, Italy

Dr. Grégoire Dubois, Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, Italy Dr. Christos Astaras, Forest Research Institute (ELGO-DIMITRA), Greece

Dr. Airam Rodríguez, Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Spain

Prof. Miguel Bastos Araújo, National Museum of Natural Sciences, CSIC, Spain

Prof. Isabel Sousa Pinto, University of Porto and Director of the Coastal Biodiversity Laboratory Cimar – Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, Portugal

Prof. Chinwe Ifejika Speranza, Institute of Geography, University of Bern, Switzerland Prof. Denis Couvet,President of the French Foundation for Biodiversity Research, France Dr. Hélène Soubelet, Director of the French Foundation for Biodiversity Research, France

Robin Goffaux, French Foundation for Biodiversity Research, France

Prof. Dirk S. Schmeller, Centre de Recherche sur la Biodiversité et l’Environnement (CRBE, UMR 5300), CNRS, IRD, Toulouse INP, Université Toulouse, France

Prof. Philippe Ciais, Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement (LSCE), Institut Pierre Simon Laplace (IPSL), France

Prof. François Sarrazin, Center for Ecology and Conservation Sciences (CESCO), Sorbonne Université, Paris, France

Dr. Wilfried Thuiller, Laboratoire d’Ecologie Alpine (LECA), UMR CNRS-UGA-USMB 5553, France Dr. Jonathan Lenoir, UMR CNRS 7058 “Ecologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés” (EDYSAN), Université de Picardie Jules Verne, France

Dr. Isabelle Le Viol, Museum national of natural History (MNHN), Center of Ecology and Conservation Sciences (CESCO), France

Dr. Jean-Pierre Gattuso, CNRS-Sorbonne Université-Iddri, France

Dr. Thierry Oberdorff, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) and Center of Research on Biodiversity and Environment (CRBE), France

Dr. Tamatoa Bambridge, Président du Conseil Scientifique du Rahui Center and Directeur de Recherche au CNRS, Centre de Recherches Insulaires et Observatoire de l’Environnement (CRIOBE, USR 3278), Polynésie Française

Prof. Chris Turney, Pro Vice-Chancellor – Research, University of Technology Sydney, Australia Prof. Tiffany Morrison, The University of Melbourne, Australia

Prof. Emily Nicholson, The University of Melbourne, Australia Dr. Kate Dooley, The University of Melbourne, Australia

Dr. Tina Parkhurst, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Australia

Prof. Steven L Chown, Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future, Monash University, Australia Prof. Melodie A.McGeoch, Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future, Monash University, Australia Prof. Peter Bridgewater, Centrefor Heritage and Museum studies, Australian National University, Australia

Prof. Xuemei Bai, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University, Australia Prof. William F. Laurance, Centre for Tropical Environmental & Sustainability Science, James Cook University, Australia

Prof. Brendan Mackey, Griffith University, Australia Prof. Ralf Buckley, Griffith University, Australia

Prof. Cate Macinnis-Ng, School of Biological Sciences, Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, New Zealand

Prof. David Hayman, Massey University, New Zealand

Dr. Juan C. Garcia-Ramirez, Massey University, New Zealand

Dr. Paul Franklin, National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, New Zealand Dr. Malik Oedin, President Gardiens Des Iles (NGO), New Caledonia

Prof. Kai Chan, Institute for Resources, Environment & Sustainability, The University of British Columbia, Canada

Prof. Fanie Pelletier, Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada

Prof. Jeremy Kerr, University of Ottawa, Canada

William Gagnon, Director of Implementation, Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care, Canada Prof. Eric Post, University of California Davis, USA

Prof. Susan Harrison, University of California Davis, USA

Prof. Janet Franklin, Campanile Foundation Professor of Geography, San Diego State University, USA Prof. Maria Ivanova, School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, Northeastern University, USA

Prof. William J. Ripple, Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, USA Eduardo S.Brondizio, Distinguished Professor, Department of Anthropology, Indiana University Bloomington, USA

Prof. Diana Liverman, School of Geography, Development & Environment, University of Arizona, USA Prof. Jennifer S. Powers, University of Minnesota, USA

Prof. Kristie L. Ebi, Center for Health and the Global Environment (CHanGE), University of Washington, USA

Prof. Stacy D. VanDeveer, Dept of Conflict Resolution, Human Security and Global Governance, McCormack School of Policy & Global Studies, UMass Boston, USA

Dr. Sarah Diamond, Case Western Reserve University, USA

Adjunct Professor Felix Dodds, Water Institute, University of North Carolina, USA

Prof. Edward Maibach, Director of the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication, USA

Dr. Shermin de Silva, Assistant Professor in Ecology, Behavior and Evolution, University of California, San Diego, USA

Paula Ribeiro Prist, International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), USA

Liz Willetts, Strategic Advisor on Biodiversity and Health, Planetary Health, and One Health, USA

Disclaimer: The views expressed by the signatories of this letter may be different from those of their affiliated organizations

View the submission:
https://chm.cbd.int/en/database/record?documentID=278596&_gl=1*1vr3cnr*_ga_7S1TPRE7F5*czE3NjA1NTY2ODAkbzIkZzEkdDE3NjA1NTY4MTEkajYwJGwwJGgw