International Biodiversity Coalition
In 2022, at COP15, Climate Chance launched an ambitious initiative to protect ecosystems: the International Coalition "Corridors of Biodiversity in Africa" bringing together climate and conservation actors. A 1st pilot project was launched in 2023 in Guinea.
The international coalition on “biodiversity corridors in Africa”
Why such an initiative?
In a systemic environmental crisis where the issues of Biodiversity, Climate, and Desertification – from the three United Nations Conventions on the environment – are interconnected, Climate Chance is launching an ambitious new initiative to protect ecosystems, addressing all three issues: an international coalition for Biodiversity corridors in Africa.
The protection of Africa’s vast wildlife and its iconic species, including elephants, chimpanzees, and lions, is a major priority for global biodiversity conservation.
Although the establishment of protected areas is one of the most effective measures for preserving ecosystems and biodiversity, research has shown that their effectiveness depends on the degree to which conservation projects are integrated into national and local policies and their relationship with other areas of public action: reforestation policies, water systems, agriculture, and the economic development of local populations.
The impact that protected areas have on biodiversity and the resiliency of ecosystems is also based on the implementation of connective networks. These help maintain the genetic diversity of species, ensure their natural migration and in some cases even help them adapt to climate change. Today, only half of all protected areas are networked. By limiting the fragmentation of natural habitats, ecological corridors are one form of such connectivity networks.
Thus, a fundamental shift in the conservation paradigm is needed, emphasising that the future of wildlife lies as much in shared spaces with human communities as in protected sanctuaries.
Climate Chance, whose expertise focuses on connecting local actors, particularly through its Summits and African Coalitions, is launching a new international platform for mobilization on the issue of biodiversity corridors in Africa. In a field where initiatives are multiplying, it will be a tool for coordination, exchanging best practices, and capacity building; it will also feature a continent-wide mapping.
The coalition also aims to mobilize funding to accelerate the renovation of old corridors or the development of new ones. The goal is to explore the possible linkages between the actions related to the fight against climate degradation, specifically within the forestry domain.
The launch of the International Coalition « Biodiversity Corridors in Africa » was held at an official event, under the co-presidency of the Republic of France, the Republic of Gabon, the Republic of Guinea and the United Republic of Tanzania, on 15 December during the COP15 in Montreal.
Co-presided by Gabon, Guinea, Tanzania and France, with a secretariat provided by the Climate Chance association, the coalition aims to bring together all the stakeholders working to maintain and restore these corridors: public and private actors, conservation and development NGOs, research organisations…
A major advocacy campaign
The coalition is conducting active advocacy in favour of connectivity. It is present at the major international conferences on biodiversity, but also raises this issue in other forums: climate COPs, development summits, annual Climate Chance Africa summits…
4 Identified Objectives
- Convergence of information
- Knowledge sharing and capacity building
- Finding innovative financing
- Fostering new projects
Suzanne Ngo-Eyok Vice President Africa, Conservation International
“This coalition gives me hope because biodiversity corridors are an idea that goes beyond borders”.
Véronique Andrieux Director General, WWF France
“Social and environmental co-benefits are an essential component of projects”.
Financial supporters
Contributors
The Pilot Project Biodiversity Corridors in the Republic of Guinea
This is an ambitious field connectivity project, linking biodiversity and development, aimed at establishing a large-scale corridor designed to restore or maintain the wide range of ecological connectivity from north to south in Guinea, a country that is home to a rich diversity of ecosystems, species and biodiversity.
The project will have 3 components:
- Detailed mapping of the project scope
- Field projects with dedicated funding
- Certification methodology that incorporates the advantages of ecological connectivity
The project will run for three years (2023-2025). The association is responsible for coordinating, planning and supervising the project, with the aim of strengthening the dynamics of the stakeholders and encouraging dialogue between them.
A strong cross-cutting multi-actor partnership
With support from the Guinean Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development
With financial support from
Our technical partners
