Merijn Dols’ Post

Looking forward to our launch event at #COP16, where we will dive into our new report on integrating agroecology into National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (#NBSAPs). Don’t let the acronym salad scare you, NBSAPs are a powerful tool. Let’s deploy them for action on food systems—and COP16 is a critical moment for policymakers to take action. By aligning agroecology with the #GlobalBiodiversityFramework targets, we can drive meaningful change in our food systems and enhance biodiversity. Join us ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/erUiYKMv

🌿As global leaders gather for #COP16 under the theme of “Peace with Nature,” it's crucial to highlight the role of agrobiodiversity in building resilient and sustainable agri-food systems. However, agrobiodiversity is rapidly declining due to unsustainable practices, threatening our ability to address both biodiversity loss and climate change.🌿 The DeSIRA-LIFT knowledge brief on "Addressing Biodiversity Loss and Agrobiodiversity" outlines key initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa that are working to reverse this trend. It offers solutions like promoting underutilized crops, investing in farmer-led innovation, and strengthening partnerships to embed biodiversity into food systems. 🌾🌱 Agroecological practices such as intercropping and agroforestry are essential for increasing resilience, improving agricultural productivity, and supporting culturally diverse diets. More than ever, we need to take action to scale these solutions and ensure biodiversity-positive practices are integrated into policies and food systems. 📚 Find the full publication on the DeSIRA-LIFT website here: https://lnkd.in/d8dQuyg3 #PeaceWithNature #COP16Cali #Agrobiodiversity #Agroecology #ClimateAction #Biodiversity #SustainableFoodSystems

Since 2001, 72.5 million hectares of primary tropical forest have been lost — much of it cleared for unsustainable agriculture. How can we drive meaningful change to protect what remains of these irreplaceable ecosystems? Join us at #COP29 for conversations on solutions for resilient landscapes and sustainable futures. 🔗 Learn more about CIFOR-ICRAF’s participation: https://lnkd.in/dumj2BTW #Trees4Resilience #COP29Azerbaijan #ClimateAction #GenerationRestoration UN Environment Programme | FAO |

Input-intensive chemical-based agricultural systems have pervaded communities across the globe. Pesticides contaminate every environmental medium, travelling through air and by rivers and seas to distant locations.  With increased understanding of the adverse effects of #HighlyHazardousPesticides (HHPs) has come global recognition of the need to replace chemical-intensive agriculture with agroecology. #Agroecology is an economically viable and socially just approach to sustainable agriculture and food systems, grounded in ecological and social principles and the integration of science with local and Indigenous knowledge and practice, emphasising farming in harmony with natural cycles and processes, and the political approach of food sovereignty. With the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP 16 around the corner, PAN International highlights the synergies between commitments on agriculture, pesticides, and food systems across key UN policy frameworks on biodiversity, climate change and chemicals. Learn more => https://lnkd.in/dxVRpdzf #pesticide #earth #climatechange #climate #ecology #paninternational #pesticiteactionnetworkinternational #CBD #COP16

One very key take away from #COP16 the meeting of parties in #Cali, #Colombia on #Biodiversity is a great recognition of #Agroecology, a term which became my second name with friends. To achieve peace with #nature, biodiversity in the agricultural #landscape is inevitable. This can only be successful if the stewards: indigenous peoples, local Communities living in close relationship with their lands, waters and natural resources and engaged in their livelihoods like ecological food production, lead the way with dignity. Agroecology, in particular, is a way of food production and management that builds on and stimulates natural processes in order to boost resilience and productivity. It is thriving with nature. #climatefinance #peoplepower

Biodiversity

300 billion euros – the updated annual cost of droughts according to the United Nations, which also show that droughts would affect 75% of the world population by 2050 if no further action is undertaken. UN experts are explicitly calling for “urgent investments in #NatureBasedSolutions such as #reforestation” in order to enhance our collective resilience and limit the impacts of #climatechange on soils. As #COP16Riyadh continues, I’ll be speaking at both the #land day and the agri-food system day on today and tomorrow. Join me in the BlueZone where I’ll be speaking successively of the power of ecosystem restoration, sustainable farming practices and soils health along with Reforest'Action partners and friends LVMH, #WLSF, BIOSPHERES, Genesis and 4p1000 Initiative. UN Convention to Combat Desertification Sarah Toumi LUU Paul Sandrine Sommer alexandre capelli 1t.org florian vernaz Tillem Burlace Sébastien Roumegous Adrienne De Malleray

Read our new blog that assesses progress on #Target18 of the #GlobalBiodiversityFramework and points to actions for governments and the international community to get Target 18 restoring nature in our fields and farms. With thanks to @TimScott and @josieraine for their insights.

“Effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution” was the agenda item during “The Global Youth Network Model United Nations” conference, in where, I had the honor of representing my country while being being apart of the environment assembly. The Cherifian Kingdom, has unfortunately faced overwhelming challenges environmentally speaking. Between water scarcity and severe drought, we have witnessed our most lucrative industry suffer because of it. The agriculture sector alone represents 15% of the GPD (Gross Domestic Product) and heavily depends on environmental stability as Morocco is known for its exportations of fruits such as avocado, watermelon and tomatoes, that do require a significant amount of water and as the economist Najib Akesbi mentions “one hectare of these crops requires ten times as much water as a city”. That being said, Morocco has shown great efforts to tackle the challenges that it faces, whether it be through its campaigns on responsible water use or it’s major investments towards National Drinking Water Supply And Irrigation Programme aimed at addressing severe water scarcity.

“#Nature-based Solutions have the potential to transform agriculture into a key driver of environmental recovery and resilience. They are an essential tool for ensuring that our #agri-food systems are prepared for the challenges of the future,” Pascale Bonzom, Head of the IUCN Food and Agricultural Systems commenting on the launch today of two important reports from IUCN: download the press release & reports below -