CI is committed to securing the health and well-being of the world’s biodiversity – every plant, animal and human being on Earth. One of the greatest threats to these efforts is climate change. In fact, scientific evidence suggests that the current trajectory of climate change patterns surpasses even worst-case scenarios, and could lead to catastrophic and devastating consequences for all life on Earth.
To address this, CI is dedicating scientific expertise, practical field experience and political savvy to make nature-based solutions a key component of efforts to combat climate change. We are working with governments, civil society, indigenous and community groups and private sector partners to establish the conservation of ecosystems as a central and urgent element of a comprehensive global climate strategy.
Specifically, CI is pursuing an aggressive approach to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation, and help all nations – especially developing countries – adapt to climate change by preserving productive and resilient natural ecosystems. These two key prongs of an effective global response to climate change also underpin our efforts to promote human well-being and sustainable, low-carbon economic growth.
IN DEPTH: Learn more about CI's climate change security strategy (PDF - 1.24 MB).
Nature-based solutions to address climate change
CI, alongside numerous partners, has proven that natural solutions to the climate crisis are immediately available – we have the technology and capacity to conserve and restore natural ecosystems today.
Healthy forests and other ecosystems, including wetlands, peatlands, mangroves and seagrass beds, play a crucial role in combating climate change. Natural ecosystems store and sequester carbon, reduce the risk of catastrophic impacts like floods and droughts, contribute to food security, allow for species migration and ecological adaptation, and support the livelihoods of indigenous and local communities.
TAKE ACTION: Protect an acre of tropical forest for only $15.
REDD +
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation "plus" conservation, the sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+) is a key opportunity to generate the funding, political will and systems necessary to protect forests while combating climate change. At the recent United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meetings in Copenhagen, significant progress was made on REDD+ and important steps were taken to make REDD+ implementable at scale with the announcement by six of the world’s largest economies to provide $3.5 billion for REDD+ investments over the next three years.
Adaptation
All ecosystems – from oceans and forests to rivers and grasslands – provide a natural infrastructure and perform vital services for human well-being, such as:
- buffering communities from storms and other extreme weather;
- providing dependable flows of water for drinking and agriculture; and
- directly contributing to food, livelihood and health needs.
By engaging with local communities and including an understanding of the risk posed by climate change in our work to protect natural environments, we help the animals and plants that live there sustain the resources they need to adapt to the impacts of climate change, thus protecting the biological diversity that is fundamental to all life on Earth.
The UNFCCC and the Copenhagen Accord recognize the need to support adaptation to the impacts of climate change, especially in the most vulnerable developing countries with vulnerable ecosystems, and confirm that developed countries will provide adequate, reliable and sustainable financial resources, technology and capacity building to support these adaptation actions.
CI and climate change
To realize these solutions, CI works to develop appropriate policies and market and financial incentives to provide for the effective governance of forests, coastal areas and other ecosystems. In addition, we provide sound science, planning and financing to secure the adaptation potential of ecosystems critical for food, fresh water and health security.
Global policies and incentives are fundamental, but sound national institutions and financial mechanisms are equally urgent. Additionally, local communities and resource stewards – from migrant farmers to indigenous peoples – are on the front lines, with great potential to secure natural solutions if access to knowledge, capacity, economic alternatives and equitable participation is provided.
The urgent crisis of climate change can only be resolved with the right coordination among governments, the private sector, civil society and local communities. Conserving natural ecosystems must be part of the climate solution, and CI will continue to advocate for their protection.