A climate-biodiversity funnel that accelerates action towards global goals

Steven Lade, Aryanie Amellina, Charlotte Kendra Gotangco Gonzales, David Armstrong McKay, Fabrice DeClerck, Timothy M. Lenton, Aditi Mukherji, Albert Norström, David Obura, Peter H. Verburg, Johan Rockstrom

Joint action on climate and biodiversity is urgently needed to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement (PA) and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF). Here, we analyse interlinkages between targets in these two landmark international agreements. We find recognition of climate-biodiversity interactions in the agreement texts (three KM-GBF Targets and four PA Articles), demonstrating scope for formally integrated action. Quantitative analysis indicates that climate-biodiversity interactions generate a ‘funnel’ (bounded by 0.54 (0.32-0.80) GtCO2/Mha) towards achieving PA Article 2 and KM-GBF Target 2. Within the funnel there is a ‘channel’ in which synergies are maximised. The funnel highlights the complex dynamics that can emerge from the interplay of climate and biodiversity and provides a simple filter to prioritize effective joint action.