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The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee has written to Alok Sharma MP, President for COP26 ahead of the conference on 31 October. The Committee urge the COP26 President to ensure that nature based-solutions, as part of the answer to mitigating and adapting to climate change, are included in the COP26 negotiations, the final decision text, and the Nationally Determined Contributions of the Parties in accordance with the guiding principles the Committee identify.

• Letter from Lord Patel to Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, COP26 President, Nature-based solutions at COP26
• Inquiry: Nature-based solutions for climate change
• House of Lords Science and Technology Committee

The Committee highlights that nature-based solutions, such as the restoration of degraded peatlands, can achieve multiple goals including to combat climate change, and biodiversity loss. But the Committee cautions that nature based solutions will only be successful if they are well designed, financed appropriately and implemented in line with the following principles:

• Nature-based solutions are not a substitute for rapid decarbonisation of all sectors of the economy
• Nature-based solutions should involve a wide range of ecosystems on land and in the sea, not just tree-planting
• Nature-based solutions should be designed and implemented in partnership with local communities and stakeholders
• Nature-based solutions should provide measurable benefits to biodiversity.
• Protection of existing ecosystems should be emphasised
• Resilience must be a key factor in design and implementation
• Any carbon benefits that are claimed must be rigorous in their accounting
• Substantial financing and expertise should be provided by wealthy nations to poorer nations.

Without these principles, the Committee warn that the risk, seen too often from governments historically, is that bold promises on restoring or conserving nature are not fulfilled. Pledges and financing risk being misdirected towards scientifically uncertain, poorly planned initiatives which have few lasting impacts other than to greenwash the activities of polluters.

Lord Patel, Committee Chair recently said:

“The forthcoming COP26 in Glasgow presents the perfect opportunity to highlight on the world stage the importance of nature-based solutions as a way to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. But we need nature-based solutions that are about more than just planting trees or providing ways for companies to greenwash their reputation.

“In addition to acknowledging the role of nature-based solutions in the COP26 decision text, we urge Parties, including the UK, to enhance their ambition and to include nature-based solutions in their Nationally Determined Contributions alongside increased targets on emissions reductions.

“The UK’s domestic policies and negotiating stance should be an example to the world as we seek international action to restore and protect the home we share.”

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committee
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees