Mercedes Bustamante is a professor at the Universidade de Brasília and a Member of the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy
MERCEDES BUSTAMANTE: Leveraging Nature and Food Systems for Climate and SDG Impact
Professor, Universidade de Brasília Member of the Expert Group on Climate and SDG
Q: If you could prioritize one innovation or policy that would make climate action more impactful in achieving the SDGs, what would it be?
The synergies between nature conservation and climate action are undeniable. Healthy ecosystems are interwoven into the goals of the global frameworks addressing biodiversity loss, land degradation, and climate change. Quantifiable benefits—from gigatons of carbon sequestered and increased resilience to disasters to billions in economic savings—highlight the urgency of integrating these strategies.
Nature conservation is also a pillar of sustainable and just agrifood systems (from production to consumption), at the center of the Sustainable Development Goals. Policies and innovation promoting the building of sustainable food systems while reducing the pressures on natural ecosystems are essential to fight climate change, biodiversity decline, poverty, and inequalities.
Strategic investments and policies that align incentives (e.g., payments for ecosystem services) and avoid finance flows directly harmful to nature and biodiversity are fundamental to foster synergies and overcome barriers and trade-offs. Equally relevant is the recognition of the contributions of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in safeguarding ecosystems and their functions. Such recognition must involve the protection of territorial and participatory rights, as well as actions to reduce vulnerabilities and protect cultural heritage.