Harmonising biodiversity and climate action with a peace lens in Latin America and the Caribbean

Biodiversity conservation plays a crucial role in addressing the challenges climate change and environmental degradation pose to human security and peace. This practical note explores how these agendas intersect in Latin America and the Caribbean, one of the world's most biodiverse regions. The document summarises the discussions held at BCSC-Cali during the past UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16) in Colombia, including key highlights and priority action areas for various stakeholders.

Climate change and environmental degradation pose serious challenges to human security and peace in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Biodiversity conservation is vital in addressing these challenges. Nevertheless, LAC’s rich ecosystems face mounting threats from transnational environmental crimes, deforestation, illegal mining, and drug trafficking. These crimes accelerate biodiversity loss and undermine these ecosystems’ role as global carbon sinks. Thus, multilateral frameworks and an integrated approach from the climate, environment, peace and security sectors is necessary. 

To develop locally driven solutions, a regional edition of the Berlin Climate and Security Conference (BCSC) was organised by adelphi and the German Federal Foreign Office on the 24th of October 2024 in the city of Cali, Colombia. BCSC-Cali brought together over 50 representatives and experts from LAC governments, including 41 different civil society, academia, and donor organisations, to discuss how regional climate risks can be tackled through a peacebuilding approach that aligns with biodiversity and climate goals. In an effort to continue the work started at BCSC-Cali, this practical note summarises the discussions held at the event with the aim of raising awareness of the potential for integrating these agendas, and outlines priority areas for action and the next steps to advance and coordinate efforts from different stakeholders.

Latin American and Caribbean thematic priorities for action on CPS and biodiversity conservation:

• Environmental crimes and deforestation;
• Disaster Risk Reduction, preparedness and resilience; 
• Peace potential of conservation;
• Peaceful and inclusive economic transition;
• Migration and climate security in cities.

Summary of next steps:

To continue harmonising biodiversity and climate action through a peace lens, it is essential to:

• Raise awareness of the links between climate security, peace and biodiversity conservation;
• Ensure that LAC voices and priorities for action are better represented in the Climate, Peace and Security fora;
• Establish robust institutional frameworks in the region that promote the integration of biodiversity, climate, peace and security as a flagship strategy that contributes to prosperity in the long term;
• Highlight LACs’ experience for effective implementation of nature-based solutions that integrate ecosystem conservation and restoration as a way to tackle the climate crisis and achieve social inclusion and cohesion;
• Advance on innovative financial (grant-based) mechanisms that support peace-positive biodiversity and climate resilience.