International Biodiversity Coalition

Why such an initiative?

In a systemic environmental crisis where the issues of Biodiversity, Climate, and Desertification – from the three United Nations Conventions on the environment – are interconnected, Climate Chance is launching an ambitious new initiative to protect ecosystems, addressing all three issues: an international coalition on Biodiversity corridors in Africa.

The protection of Africa’s vast wildlife and its iconic species, including elephants, chimpanzees, and lions, is a major priority for global biodiversity conservation.

Although the establishment of protected areas is one of the most effective measures for preserving ecosystems and biodiversity, research has shown that their effectiveness depends on the degree to which conservation projects are integrated into national and local policies and their relationship with other areas of public action: reforestation policies, water systems, agriculture, and the economic development of local populations.

The impact that protected areas have on biodiversity and the resiliency of ecosystems is also based on the implementation of connective networks. These help maintain the genetic diversity of species, ensure their natural migration and in some cases even help them adapt to climate change. Today, only half of all protected areas are networked. By limiting the fragmentation of natural habitats, ecological corridors are one form of such connectivity networks.

Climate Chance, whose expertise focuses on connecting local actors, particularly through its Summits and African Coalitions, is launching a new international platform for mobilization on the issue of biodiversity corridors in Africa. In a field where initiatives are multiplying, it will be a tool for coordination, exchanging best practices, and capacity building; it will also feature a continent-wide mapping. 

The coalition also aims to mobilize funding to accelerate the renovation of old corridors or the development of new ones. The goal is to explore the possible linkages between the actions related to the fight against climate degradation, specifically within the forestry domain.

Climate Chance provides the secretariat for the coalition.

The launch of the International Coalition « Biodiversity Corridors in Africa » was held at an official event, under the co-presidency of the Republic of France, the Republic of Gabon, the Republic of Guinea and the United Republic of Tanzania, on 15 December during the COP15 in Montreal.

4 Co-Chair Countries

• France
• Gabon
• Guinea
• Tanzania

4 Identified Objectives

• Actors’ mobilisation and advocacy in relation to the international agenda on the subject
• Knowledge sharing and capacity building
• Search for funding solutions
• Development of demonstration projects

Financial supporters

Contributors

Demonstration Project in Guinea

The project in question will be the first demonstration project from the new Coalition. Guinea, a country with growing forest cover, remains at the intersection of multiple ecological connectivities. The State has committed to a National Strategy and the implementation of a National Biodiversity Conservation Plan (2016-2025) in which the issue of inclusion of the local population and management of biological corridors are emphasized.

The project will have 3 components:

• Detailed mapping of the project scope
• Field projects with dedicated funding
• Certification methodology that incorporates the advantages of ecological connectivity

The project is scheduled to start in January 2023 and will last for 3 years.

The project demonstrator in Guinea is a multi-functional and intersectional partner engaged with: