Conservation International Statement on Nature-Based Solutions Roadmap

ARLINGTON, VA (November 8, 2022) – Today at COP27, the Biden-Harris Administration released the Nature-Based Solutions Roadmap, a national framework for unlocking the full potential of nature-based solutions to address climate change, nature loss and inequity. This marks the first time the U.S. has developed a strategy to scale up nature-based solutions.

James Roth, Senior Vice President, Global Policy and Government Affairs at Conservation International issued the following statement:

“We applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for their continued leadership on climate change and nature loss. The landmark Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August, will put the United States on the path to clean energy, but energy transition alone will not stabilize global temperatures — we must also halt the destruction and degradation of the world’s carbon-rich ecosystems.

“The best-available science concludes that protecting, sustainably managing, and restoring key ecosystems can furnish at least one-third of necessary emissions reductions. Better yet, these nature-based solutions can keep wildlife out of harm’s way, maintain buffers between humans and zoonotic disease, increase resilience to flooding and drought, bolster food and water security, and create rural jobs. Despite this remarkable return-on-investment, nature-based solutions receive just 3 percent of global climate finance. The Roadmap calls for unlocking public and private capital around the world for nature-based solutions. To do so, the Biden-Harris Administration should call on Congress to pass legislation like the AMAZON21 Act that is critical to unlocking public and private financing.

“The many services provided by nature represent a massive subsidy to the global economy, yet that value is rarely captured by traditional economic metrics. We’re pleased to see the Administration commit to rigorous natural capital accounting (NCA), which provides leaders with the data required to make economic decisions that are both fiscally and environmentally responsible.

“The Nature-Based Solutions Roadmap is a timely reminder that nature loss and climate change are inextricably linked. As nearly 200 countries gather in Egypt for high-stakes climate negotiations, we hope to see additional governments formally integrate nature into national climate action plans.”

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About Conservation International: Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, for biodiversity and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples and local communities to help people and nature thrive together. Go to Conservation.org for more, and follow our work on Conservation News, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.