TWN Info Service on Biodiversity/TK, Sustainable Agriculture
7 June 2023
Third World Network
www.twn.my
Dear Friends and Colleagues
Agroecology: A transformative opportunity for biodiversity and the Rio Conventions
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) was adopted in December 2022 by Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). A newly published briefing paper points to the central role that agroecology can play in efforts to address biodiversity loss while providing simultaneous, multiple co-benefits to climate adaptation, food security, water conservation, ecosystem resilience, sustainable livelihoods and human rights.
This means that agroecology provides an opportunity to meet commitments, not just under the CBD, but also across the Rio Conventions. The briefing paper offers five key messages to guide policymakers as they develop national action plans and sustainability targets, with a specific focus on National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). These are:
1) Industrial food systems are the main driver of biodiversity loss and ecosystems degradation. Without transforming food systems, we will not be able to reverse these highly destructive impacts.
2) Agroecology works with nature and has the power to substantially achieve multiple national targets across issues and scales.
3) A food systems lens, grounded in agroecology, is central to the implementation of the KMGBF, and to national climate, food and development strategies. Without agroecology, key national goals and targets risk being missed.
4) There are vital connections between agroecology and conservation.
5) A call to action: Support biodiverse agroecology for sustainable food systems and climate resilience.
The paper calls on countries to support agroecology in their national plans in the following ways:
* Ensure the central place of biodiverse agroecology in the development of national goals, targets and indicators of NBSAPs, NDCs, UNCCD and SDG strategies and action plans.
* Increase the resources and support for developing multi-sector national planning frameworks, goals, targets, and indicators that enhance the coherence and impact of multiple interventions.
* Support the full inclusive participation of vital organizations at the front lines of biodiversity conservation and sustainable use (particularly Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, and farmers/food provisioners organizations) in the development, implementation and monitoring of national action plans.
The briefing paper is available at: https://www.agroecology-pool.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Bio3Rio_Brief.pdf
With best wishes,
Third World Network