2021•11•05     Glasgow, UK

© CIFOR / Aulia Erlangga

Climate change experts from the United Nations University (UNU) and United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) call for more focus on nature-based solutions at COP26 in Glasgow.

Who

• Zita Sebesvari, Deputy Director, United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security
• Jack O’Connor, Senior Environmental Expert, United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security
• Gernot Laganda, Chief of Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction at United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)

What: Press Conference on climate change, disaster risk and human security

When: Tuesday, 9 November 2021, 11:00-11:30 a.m. and virtually

Where: Press Conference Room Giant’s Causeway and virtually

Why: Weather-related disasters have increased 5-fold in the past 50 years alone. Humanity and especially vulnerable communities are adapting to a new reality of weather extremes. As the global community discusses different adaptation options at COP26 in Glasgow, climate change experts of UNU-EHS and WFP call for more focus on and investment into nature-based solutions (NbS). Drawing on the recently launched UNU-EHS Flagship Report “Interconnected Disaster Risks”, the experts will demonstrate how nature-based solutions work best when they are designed as part of integrated approaches, which also target social and ecological vulnerabilities that contribute to ongoing environmental degradation. Science is clear on the fact that NbS not only address climate change, they also reduce disaster risk, biodiversity loss and food insecurity in an integrated way. In addition, NbS are proving their value in the humanitarian context.  WFP works with vulnerable communities to rehabilitate ecosystems in order to reduce people’s vulnerability to climate shocks and stresses while also protecting biodiversity and promoting social cohesion. Yet, NbS are currently almost exclusively considered in the context of forest ecosystems and tree planting. While the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use is an encouraging step towards a stronger focus on NbS, the experts of UNU and WFP call for nature-based solutions that build on the rich diversity of a larger variety of ecosystems, such as grasslands, peatlands, marshes and marine ecosystems, and go beyond current efforts.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Janine Kandel (in Glasgow)
Head of Communication
United Nations University
Institute for Environment and Human Security
Phone: + 49 151 2672 1390 (mobile)
kandel@vie.unu.edu
www.ehs.unu.edu

Jane Howard
Head of Communications
World Food Programme UK Office
Mobile, Whatsapp: +49 (0)79 68008 474
jane.howard@wfp.org