Nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration for effective climate change adaptation and mitigation - the case of integrated water management

The triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss affects ecosystems heavily, which are at the same time serving as effective terrestrial carbon reservoirs and are playing an important part in building our resilience to climate change in the face of recurring droughts, heavy rain and floods. The integrated management of water in general, and freshwater ecosystems in particular, are of outstanding importance for nature-based climate action in the field of adaptation and mitigation. To achieve our global climate and biodiversity targets, the potential of freshwater ecosystems must be fully leveraged and understood as key for climate resilience and adaptation. We need to prioritize climate-resilient water management and to scale new and innovative, cross-sectoral solutions to harness the powerful potential of nature.

Following a high-level input from German Environment Minister Steffi Lemke, an expert panel will discuss how we can scale both nature restoration and nature-based climate change adaptation and mitigation, to harness much needed synergies. The role of water and freshwater ecosystems for climate action will be highlighted throughout the event as one key variable for the health of ecosystems as well as for adaptation and mitigation needs and approaches.