Objective

The Oceans and Land Day sought to respond to the mandate from the Conference of the Parties to constituted bodies to integrate and strengthen ocean-based action in their existing mandates and workplans, as well as highlight capacity-building efforts related to the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ and the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture. In this context, there is a need for knowledge systems that include scientific, traditional, local, and indigenous knowledge to support decision-making. Sessions sought to address capacity-building gaps to better integrate these knowledge systems into the implementation of the three Rio Conventions and the Paris Agreement for effective stewardship of oceans and land. This thematic day explored the capacities needed to mainstream and scale up Nature-based Solutions and ecosystem-based approaches into climate adaptation plans and resilience-building. 

Topics

• Leveraging local adaptation knowledge to scale up nature-based solutions - hosted by Conservation International
• Fostering climate action in agriculture - hosted by FAO 
• Promoting locally led action of farmers in designing, implementing, and managing nature-based solutions – hosted by the UNFCCC Farmers Constituency 
• Exploring synergies, capacity gaps and opportunities for integrated action across ocean and climate governance frameworks -  hosted by Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, UN Office of Legal Affairs 
• Unpacking evidence from the field and lessons learned from NbS for Adaptation, showcased case studies of completed nature-based solutions for adaptation projects from around the world, across themes and ecosystems, focusing on accomplishments, impact, return on investment, and lessons learned that can be taken forward into future projects as adaptation efforts incorporating NbS are scaled up around the world – hosted by IUCN, Rare, the Friends of EbA Network, and the Global Green-Gray Infrastructure Community of Practice. 
• Connecting Large Ocean States for capacity building through shared experiences and storytelling - hosted by Peace Boat 
• Delocalizing Climate Policy:  Using Local Knowledge to inform climate science, exploring the integration of local knowledge into climate policies with a focus on the rights of indigenous people and local communities; hosted by Michigan Technological University 
• Unlocking a public dialogue of diverse voices on how to build sustainable and environmentally just governance and policy structures for a healthy and resilient ocean - hosted by One Ocean Hub (University of Strathclyde). 

The global scientific evidence of recent IPCC and IPBES reports is clear: this decade represents a critical window for tackling both the biodiversity and climate crises.  The IPCC Working Group II report on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, released this year, drew attention to the interlinkages of climate resilience, ecosystem integrity, biodiversity, and human well-being – and noted that Nature-based Solutions (NbS)1 offer feasible and effective options to reduce vulnerabilities and risks to people and nature and strengthen the resilience of social and natural systems against climate change.

When implemented properly and following robust standards and criteria, Nature-based Solutions can enhance the resilience of ecosystems and the societies that depend on them, to climate hazards such as sea level rise and more frequent and intense flooding, droughts, heatwaves and wildfires - while delivering significant biodiversity benefits in a manner that safeguards and promotes the rights and interests of vulnerable and historically marginalized communities.  

Oceans & Land Day explored the capacities needed to mainstream and scale up Nature-based Solutions and ecosystem-based approaches – across geographies, ecosystems, and themes -  into climate adaptation plans and resilience-building.