Policy brief: The importance of ecosystem-based adaptation and mitigation actions in the Nationally Determined Contributions

Policymakers are increasingly recognising the importance of nature in mitigating and adapting to climate change. In this briefing, the role that nature plays in climate change mitigation and adaptation is explored further to enable policy makers to enhance the inclusion of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) (the use of nature to adapt to climate change) and ecosystem-based mitigation (EbM) (the use of nature to reduce greenhouse gas emissions) mechanisms in South Africa’s revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

Policymakers should harness EbA and EbM to raise climate action ambitions, set more robust targets for nature-based goals and recognise the important role ocean and coastal ecosystems can play in responding to climate change.