• Understand why biodiversity and ecosystems are important to consider in adaptation strategies

• Learn about challenges and good practices in capturing biodiversity co-benefits

• Explore examples of EbA actions that enhance biodiversity, and those that do not

• Biodiversity: The variability among living organisms and the ecological complexes of which they
are a part. It includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. (CBD, 1992).
• Ecosystem functioning: The flow of energy and materials through ecosystems. It includes many
processes, such as biomass production, nutrient cycling and water dynamics (IPBES, 2019).
• Maladaptation: Actions that may lead to increased risk of adverse climate-related outcomes,
including via increased greenhouse gas emissions, increased or shifted vulnerability to climate
change, more inequitable outcomes, or diminished welfare, now or in the future. Most often,
maladaptation is an unintended consequence (IPCC, 2022).

1. Sometimes it is assumed that the use of biodiversity and ecosystems means that their status will
somehow be improved. This is not always the case. Biodiversity co-benefits arising from EbA
implementation need to be explicitly considered, quantified and monitored over appropriate
timelines.
2. There are many examples of how to generate positive outcomes for biodiversity and ecosystems
in adaptation planning and implementation, including ecological restoration of vegetated
coastal areas, natural regeneration of grasslands, and planting slope-stabilising native
vegetation. Additional examples can be seen in the diagrams below.
 Source: IISD (2021)

3. It is crucial to consider local environmental and socio-economic contexts when implementing

EbA to help avoid maladaptation. An example of this is using native vegetation or species that
are well-adapted to the region.
4. Conservation and restoration initiatives, including protected areas, do not necessarily result in
successful societal adaptation, unless risk and vulnerability assessments are undertaken, and
actions are targeted to help those identified as vulnerable to climate change.
5. EbA approaches offer multiple benefits, including for biodiversity and for society. Therefore,
EbA should be undertaken as part of an overall integrated adaptation strategy.

• Summary for policymakers of the global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem
services of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem
Services (edited by Sandra Díaz et al., for the IPBES, 2019). This document contains key findings
from the IPBES’ Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, which
assesses the current status and trends of the planet, discusses nature’s contribution to people
through biodiversity and ecosystem services and highlights areas of action for the future.
 • Local Biodiversity Outlooks 2: The contributions of indigenous peoples and local communities to
the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and to renewing nature and
cultures (by the Forest Peoples Programme, in collaboration with the International Indigenous
Forum on Biodiversity, Indigenous Women’s Biodiversity Network, Centres of Distinction on
Indigenous and Local Knowledge and CBD, 2020). This document includes perspectives,
experiences, aspirations and case studies from IPLCs on biological and cultural diversity, as well
as their contributions to the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.
• Forest resilience, tipping points and global change processes (by Christopher P.O. Reyer et al.,
2015). This article summarises key findings from 7 forest research papers to communicate the
importance of utilising the concept of resilience to understand forest ecosystems. It also
discusses the need for further research regarding feedback loops and tipping points to better
understand forest resilience.

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