Ecosystem-based approaches for integrating disaster risk reduction, climate, land, and biodiversity goals

The Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR) advocates for leveraging synergies between the three Rio Conventions—the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)—and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. This brief aims to inform national focal points for the Rio Conventions and the Sendai Framework, as well as other relevant national and international actors, about the role of ecosystem-based approaches and how they can connect these global agendas at the country level.

The authors recommend using ecosystem-based approaches to align policy objectives with the Rio Conventions and Sendai Framework, promoting integrated spatial planning tools, incorporating science in multigoal planning, and utilizing diverse financing opportunities for simultaneous goal achievement.

Mainstreaming ecosystem-based approaches in national and community-level planning instruments and policies can ensure sustainable development and poverty alleviation. At the same time, synchronizing and channeling countries’ efforts to contribute to the Conventions and the Sendai Framework through the implementation of multi-goal-oriented, ecosystem-based approaches has proven to reduce program costs and increase effectiveness, write the authors.