During UNFCCC COP30 in Belém, Brazil, CO-OP4CBD, in collaboration with BioAgora, RESPIN and NetworkNature, organised the side event “Science-Policy for Biodiversity & Climate: Experiences from Europe, Latin America & Africa”. The meeting gathered experts from these three regions to discuss the role of improved science-policy interfaces (SPIs) in the incorporation of biodiversity into climate governance in different geographical contexts.

On 17 November, representatives from the four projects delivered presentations on European initiatives working to bridge science, knowledge and policy processes. The agenda featured contributions from:

• Josie Antonucci (BioAgora / HIFMB)
• Anna de las Heras Carles (REPSIN project, CREAF)
• Carlos Hernández (REPSIN project, Instituto Alexander von Humboldt)
• Kaisa Mustajärvi (NetworkNature, City of Tampere)

The presentations were followed by a panel discussion, facilitated by Alicia Pérez-Porro (CREAF).

Based on these discussions, the official report highlights several conclusions:

• Strengthening National Focal Points’ mandate and resources is essential for coordination among institutions and across levels of administration;
• Deliberate cross-sector collaboration mechanisms are needed for aligning climate and biodiversity communities;
• SPIs differ widely in terms of operational model and structure;
• Biodiversity must be integrated with ecosystem services and nature’s contributions to people (especially for climate resilience and adaptation);
• Indigenous and local knowledge is valuable (especially for monitoring, long-term environmental understanding and place-based decision-making);
• Science must be usable, accessible and aligned with policy cycles;
• The impact and sustainability of SPIs remain limited without institutionalisation and political support.

By bringing together these diverse perspectives at the side event, participants agreed that the regions in focus face similar challenges: fragmented governance, insufficient coordination and the need for better integration of science and Indigenous Knowledge into policy-making.

Read more about this event here.