BioClim – European Conferences on Biodiversity and Climate Change

This project builds on the international ENCA conference and the associated background report. From 25–27 June 2013, the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) organised the ENCA Conference in Bonn along with the ENCA Climate Adaptation interest group under the title "Climate change and Nature Conservation in Europe – an ecological, policy and economic perspective". The research project has the following two aims:

First to review the scientific background studies "Nature-based solutions to climate change mitigation and adaptation in urban areas“ and "Biodiversity and climate change". The large number of nature conservation adaptation measures that have already been implemented or tested and discussed by experts are listed and systematised from both studies. The studies assess these measures in terms of their costs and benefits or opportunities and risks. This includes quantitative and economic aspects in order to be able to make further use of the results in the TEEB process (BfN/ BMU study Natural Capital Germany). In 2015 this created synergies with the Stadtbericht of the TEEB DE study.

Second, information about the course of the transdisciplinary science policy processes were examined at the interface of biodiversity and climate change at European level. The studies prepare and organise the research conferences of the same name on biodiversity and climate change. The first event was run by the BfN in November 2015, the second is planned for 2017. The exact focus of the second study and the 2017 conference will be worked out with ENCA members and other stakeholders at a workshop in the Island of Vilm. The conference will enable a validation of the results of the study. In addition the interactions of a wide range of European stakeholders from science and government decision-makers will be monitored and observed.

Methods

Setting up two background studies

• Iterative review and consultation process during which the members of the ENCA climate adaptation interest group will be given the opportunity to comment on different draft versions.
• European expert workshop in spring 2015 (approx. 25 participants) on the Island of Vilm.
• The results will be published in the BfN series of publications (BfN-Skripten)

Validation of study material

The studies form the basic framework for the 2015 and 2017 research conferences on biodiversity and climate change planned by the BfN. The applicant will support the BfN with organising the conferences.

The programme will represent the European geographical area and cover the following topics:

• Climatic impacts on and vulnerability of the natural resources of nature conservation
• (particularly innovative) nature conservation adaptation measures,
• Economic and quantification aspects plus synergies with other social aims. There is a special focus on the research question of which measures are necessary in order to guarantee the provision of ecosystem services in the face of climate change.

Review

• Directly following the two BfN research conferences on biodiversity and climate change in 2015 and 2017, working meetings are planned for the ENCA climate adaptation interest group with the aim of formulating concise recommendations and conclusions. These findings will be incorporated in the conference report and published on the BfN and ENCA websites.
• The applicant will support the members of the ENCA interest group with this project using the discussion points noted during the conference. In the follow-up to the working meeting, the applicant will take charge of compiling the conference recommendations and conclusions into a concise policy paper in agreement with the members of the ENCA climate adaptation interest group. The findings summarised in this paper will make an important contribution to the European policy development for biodiversity and climate change.
• The validated study results, including the findings from observing the science policy processes, are available at the interface of science, politics and practice to a German and English-speaking, European expert public.