Conservation International

Four Arizona State University experts were part of the team that won the top award in the prestigious XPRIZE Rainforest competition. Their project combines AI data analysis with Indigenous knowledge from the region in order to measure biodiversity in the rainforest. Their goal: to help save it.

During COP 29 the Government of Canada announced new initiatives to halt biodiversity loss, including $10 million for Africa’s Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area to be implemented by Conservation International and partners. Conservation International Vice President of Southern Africa Julia Levin issued the following statement:? ? “We thank the Government of Canada for championing efforts to address biodiversity loss and support women-led solutions aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This project exemplifies the power of collaboration in protecting biodiversity and strengthening the resilience for communities who rely on these ecosystems for their livelihoods. By prioritising inclusive decision-making and sustainable practices, we can achieve transformative outcomes for people, wildlife, and landscapes in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area.”

JUST OUT FROM #COP29: Conservation International Senior Vice President of Global Policy and Government Affairs Lina Barrera weighs in following the end of long negotiations. “The agreement avoids outright collapse of collective climate action, but it still falls short in many ways…Looking to COP30, leaders need to recommit to the spirit of ambition and compromise that led to the Paris Agreement and progress since then.”

Today, Conservation International's Chief Strategy Officer Patricia Zurita issued the following statement following the conclusion of the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, known as COP29. COP29 culminated in the new Baku Climate Unity Package on Saturday. Zurita said: "Amid questions about leadership, diplomatic squabbles, and rebukes of the COP system, nearly 200 countries signed on to the Baku Climate Unity Package, which includes a new climate finance goal. While imperfect progress is still progress, we need to see more ambition and speed to keep 1.5C alive. “While countries averted outright disaster, COP29 failed in meaningful ways. Most notably, the $1.3 trillion per year goal by 2035 falls short. It is simply not enough in speed or scale. Nor is the $300 billion promised from developed to developing countries.” READ FULL STATEMENT:

Warmer oceans are putting two giants of the sea on a collision course. Even at the size of a school bus, whale sharks — the world’s largest fish — are no match for cargo ships in busy shipping lanes: When the two collide, the sharks always lose. And unfortunately, climate change will make deadly encounters more common, according to a new study co-authored by Conservation International scientist Mark Erdmann.

It is critical during #COP29 that countries step up to set bold climate goals to achieve the Paris Agreement. And they have a golden opportunity to do this by integrating one of the most powerful natural tools available to combat climate change into their Nationally Determined Contributions:?blue carbon ecosystems.

Part two from Conservation International's delegation today at #COP29: —Evidence-Based Innovations for Nature Positive Impact through Aquatic Food Systems:?We took part in a panel event organized by WEF in partnership with ICCCAD, World Fish, FCDO, IIED & CPRD. Panelists looked at examples of climate-resilient & nature-positive solutions for aquatic food systems from Africa, Asia, & the Pacific, building on experiences from the FCDO-funded COAST Initiative, Blue Planet Fund, including the “Asia-Africa Blue Tech Superhighway” & the "Blue Carbon Action Partnership". There was a wide range of speakers covering different geographies, including Adi Rahman (Konservasi Indonesia), Gerard Howe (FCDO), Rumana Hossain (WorldFish-Bangladesh), Md Shamsuddoha (Bangladesh Government), Sonia Muando (Mozambique Government) & Mirza Ali (Banglasesh Government). The proposed case studies aimed to further support communities with climate adaptation & coastal resource management, & include incentives for coastal stewardship, integrated farming of shrimp by minimum losses of mangrove ecosystems in Indonesia, data-support systems for small-scale fishers & climate smart technologies for reducing food loss & waste. —Mobilizing Blended Finance for Plastic-Free Waterways:?Adi Pradana, senior director of policy, spoke on a panel hosted by Clean Rivers, in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE). The session highlighted the critical role of blended finance in advancing circular economy solutions to combat plastic pollution in rivers & oceans. Speakers included Clean Rivers, Department of Environment & Natural Resources, Philippines, Emirates NBD, PCX Markets and Asian Development Bank. ? Adi shared the Blue Abadi Fund, which supports marine conservation through local partnerships & diversified financing. The fund is the largest place-based marine conservation effort to date. ? —Enhancing Restoration of Degraded Ecosystems in Wildlife Migratory Corridors of the Northern Circuit in Tanzania:?Elijah T.oirai, senior director IPLC regional engagement & NCS partnerships for Africa,?spoke on a panel with experts from Tanzania about the value of an inclusive approach to land-use planning, especially when carbon crediting could be a goal. He made points based on his extensive experience in Kenya, where close engagement & partnership with communities has led to sustainable land uses that reduce human-wildlife conflict, improve ecological resilience, & improve livelihoods for people. ? Speakers from Tanzania described how they are facing these challenges now, especially with human-wildlife conflict. Elijah shared reflections & recommendations, based on lessons learned from Conservation International's work in Kenya. ? Here’s what happens next: Some of our delegation members are beginning to leave Baku & a skeleton crew remains. ? Our staff will continue to engage with negotiations, & we'll?be reporting outcomes and analysis as soon as we can. ?

Today was arguably our biggest day of events – and one of the final days of COP29. On top of that it was both Oceans Day and Nature Day at COP29. There was so much to report, we broke this into multiple parts.? ? —We are now 100 organizations and leaders united, pushing for nature's outcomes at COP29. The collective group has issued an urgent nature statement calling on parties to address the severe nature finance gap. Read the full statement here:?https://lnkd.in/eHHhj-bK ? —The Guide for Including Nature in NDCs?(2nd edition) to support national policymakers in revising and implementing 2025 NDCs is live. Our own Kiryssa Kasprzyk, director of international climate policy, was instrumental in its creation, alongside experts from?The Nature Conservancy,?BirdLife International,?Crowther Lab | ETH Zurich,?Restor,?Fauna & Flora ,?IUCN,?National Wildlife Federation,?ifaw,?Rare,?Tree Aid,?Wetlands International?and?Youth4Nature. ? The guide offers 15 key recommendations, along with resources and case studies, to effectively integrate Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into NDCs. ? Read the guide and share it with policymakers and experts:?https://lnkd.in/ej8Dz6md ? —Unlocking Mangrove Potential: Innovations for Global Climate Goals:?Blue Climate Strategy Director Jill Hamilton shared a vision for the world’s nations with mangrove forests, urging each country to include these vital coastal ecosystems in their climate change strategies. Mangroves provide a multitude of benefits for climate mitigation, coastal adaptation, biodiversity protection and livelihoods. Jill highlighted tools that Consevation International has developed to support countries in achieving their mangrove conservation and restoration goals, including the?High-Quality Blue Carbon Principles and Guidance?and resources for exploring different financing options. ? When asked about the biggest opportunity for mangroves in the coming year, Jill responded, ‘Brazil.’ The government recently developed a new, ambitious national mangrove policy,?ProManguezal. This policy explicitly acknowledges the critical role of mangroves in Brazil’s climate plans and lays the groundwork for a national program to support conservation and restoration of mangrove habitats across Brazil’s vast coastline. In the lead-up to UNFCCC COP 30 in Belém, Brazil, there is an opportunity to spotlight Brazil’s mangrove ambition, strengthen partnerships to support implementation, and exchange knowledge between Brazil and other mangrove nations to replicate best practices. ?

?? Nature in NDCs guide - launched!!? The clock is ticking and countries need to deliver updated climate action plans now. The third five-year cycle of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), due in 2025, is a pivotal moment to enhance global emissions reductions and bolster the resilience of communities and ecosystems. ? The Nature4Climate coalition has released the second edition of the Guide for Including Nature in NDCs to support national policymakers and technical experts in revising and implementing 2025 NDCs. Launched at COP 29, this guide offers 15 key recommendations, along with resources and case studies, to effectively integrate environmental integrity and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into NDCs. ???Read the full guide and join the movement by sharing it with policymakers and experts:?https://lnkd.in/ej8Dz6md Acknowledgement:?This guidance was produced with the supervision and input of experts. Our own Kiryssa Kasprzyk, director of international climate policy, was instrumental in its creation, alongside experts from The Nature Conservancy, BirdLife International, Crowther Lab | ETH Zurich, Restor, Fauna & Flora, IUCN, National Wildlife Federation, ifaw, Rare, Tree Aid, Wetlands International and Youth4Nature.

It's time to invest in nature: Leaders gather this week to build sustainable finance for the Amazon. Following October's #COP16 Biodiversity Conference and responding to #COP29's urgent call for nature-based climate solutions, 60+ conservation leaders of the Americas are gathering this week in Bogotá for the "Building Sustainable Finance for Amazonia" event. The focus: analyzing sustainable financing solutions to protect and develop Amazonia sustainably. Led by Conservation International, within the framework of "Our Future Forests - Vital Reserves" project and with support from the French Ministry?of Finance and Fonds fran?ais pour l'environnement mondial (FFEM), this three-day event addresses: - Financing for Protected Areas - Financing for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities - Private Financing for Conservation "The Amazon is at a critical point that requires immediate action. This meeting will allow us to design innovative and scalable financial strategies that generate real impact on forest conservation and community wellbeing." – Cándido Pastor, Senior Director of the Amazon Program, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities at Conservation International. “France is committed to conserving nature and biodiversity, and supporting this analysis in the region is important for the future of financing in Amazonia. The conclusions of this workshop will be valuable for COP30 which will be Belém, and for the first time will be held in the Amazon.” – Marion Giacobbi, from the French Embassy (Francia en Colombia).