EbA is recognized as an effective approach to enhance human resilience to climate change through the use of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services. The foundation of EbA is based on the management of ecosystems to support communities addressing climate adaptive deficits as well as contributing towards enhancing local economies based on natural resources. The EbA term was coined at the UNFCCC COP 14 in Poznan in 2008 and since then has successfully been promoted into broader adaptation negotiations, policies, strategies and action plans. Over this period, organisations worked together for provided technical support and facilitated knowledge sharing on EbA with the Parties at the various UNFCCC meetings and other fora, including promoting the definition of EbA reached under the CBD. EbA approaches are now being used in hundreds of projects all over the world by organisations working on climate change adaptation.
Under FEBA, organisations involved in Ecosystem-based Adaptation have come together for deliberations on the future course of action, knowledge sharing, promoting EbA integration into the implementation of the Paris Agreement, and appraising the effectiveness of EbA approaches and thereby contribute effectively towards sustainable climate resilience of both humans and ecosystems.
FEBA works to synthesize multi-stakeholder knowledge on EbA; disseminate this knowledge by convening the global EbA community around high-level events, technical workshops, and expert working groups; and raise awareness and understanding of EbA in adaptation panning processes and multilateral policy frameworks. The CBD COP recognizes FEBA as a key partner “to support Parties in their efforts to promote ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation” (Decision 14/5). IUCN serves as the FEBA Secretariat.
FEBA's role and functions
Overall role
- Promoting EbA integration into international climate change adaptation negotiations, policies, strategies, and action planning.
- Information dissemination of EbA related work amongst Members and stakeholders including knowledge sharing on project specific implementation processes, tools, methodologies, impact on ground etc.
- Collaboration for participation and showcasing EbA work at international and regional fora.
Specific objectives
- Working together for ensuring recognition of the role of ecosystems in the UNFCCC, CBD, and UNCCD COPs, SBSTA, and other related meetings.
- Supporting the integration of ecosystems into National Adaptation Plans.
- Promoting the role of healthy ecosystems in reducing the incidence of Loss and Damage during the UNFCCC negotiations and for the implementation of the agreed two-year workplan of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage.
- Enhancing collaboration for building on existing work while mobilizing new initiatives for efficiency, cost-effectiveness and to avoid duplication.
- Bridging the gap between academia and practice to make informed and science based decisions for sustainable climate resilience.
- Developing EbA standards including standardized tools, guidelines and M&E mechanisms.
- Joint technical papers to promote and integrate EbA into international adaptation and development planning processes.
As agreed during the first meeting of FEBA in Bonn on June 15, 2015.
Photo: IUCN 2017
For further information please visit www.friendsofeba.com or contact Emily Goodwin
The coordination of FEBA is part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) supports this initiative on the basis of a decision adopted by the German Bundestag.
