Food systems for a sustainable future: Interlinkages between biodiversity and agriculture

1. Food systems for a sustainable future: Interlinkages between biodiversity and agriculture The Eighth Trondheim Conference on Biodiversity Trondheim, Norway, 31 May – 3 June 2016

2. The conference attracted 300 participants from 95 countries Invitees included experts from biodiversity and agriculture • The conference focused on four aspects of interlinkages between biodiversity and agriculture: • imperatives and implications • policies and institutions • planning for a changing climate • changing practices

3. The conference programme encouraged participation through: • plenary presentation and discussion • moderated panel discussion • roundtable discussions • communal meals and social events

4. Conference findings are set out in the summary report of co-chairs, Tone Solhaugand Nina Vik The report was prepared with support from a ‘Friends of the Co-Chairs’ group, and was offered to participants for review during the final session of the conference.

5. Setting the scene Future food security is one of the big issues of our time, and one with multiple dimensions given the clear relevance of the: • 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development …and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals • Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 …and its 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets • Paris Agreement on climate change

6. Setting the scene Key facts suggest that change is inevitable: • by 2030 world population will be 8.5 billion • by 2030 food demand will have increased by 50% • today 795 million people are under-nourished • around a third of food produced is lost or wasted But there are associated environmental concerns: • globally 33% of our soils are degraded • 40% of bee species are at risk of extinction • drivers linked to agriculture account for 70% of projected biodiversity loss • 11% of GHG emissions are currently agriculture-related

7. In roundtable discussions participants were invited to identify three key elements of sustainable agriculture - the word cloud below illustrates the received responses:

8. Presentations to the Conference drew on many significant reviews and assessments

9. Understanding the interlinkages between agriculture and biodiversity and ecosystem services is crucial Biodiversity and ecosystem services are essential in supporting agriculture in many ways and at all levels, but are under threat • Soils are critical to production of food …but most soils are in only fair, poor or very poor condition • Animal pollinators play a vital role in food production …but many pollinator species are threatened and in decline • Genetic diversity provides the basis for agricultural production …but many animal breeds and plant varieties are under threat

10. Understanding the interlinkages between agriculture and biodiversity and ecosystem services is crucial Understanding these interlinkages provides opportunities for developing a common agenda • Many examples exist of agricultural practices that take good account of the many values of biodiversity and ecosystem services • Existing cases also demonstrate that fairly small shifts in practice can lead to benefits for both agriculture and biodiversity • Understanding the interlinkages requires a clearer knowledge of specific products, production systems and scales • Integrated assessment is needed to make contributions of biodiversity and ecosystem services to agriculture more visible

11. Interlinkages between biodiversity, agriculture and climate change also need to be considered • Scenarios and models can aid understanding of interlinkages, including potential implications of adaptation and mitigation options • At the local level, conserving and using local varieties and land races can support adaptation to climate change • Climate change impacts on agriculture are already apparent through changing crop distribution and weather impacts

12. Interlinkages complex, but unless they are understood it will be difficult to bring about effective change • A massive amount of food produced is lost or wasted along the production and consumption chain • It is feasible to change practices so that intensive and industrial agriculture uses a more agroecological approach • Agricultural extension services that integrate understanding of interlinkages can provide effective support for change

13. There are practical examples of how interlinkages between biodiversity and agriculture can be effected • Integrated production systems can deliver intensification at scales resulting in positive biodiversity outcomes • Policy coherence is essential for driving positive change • Farmers will make practical changes, but need support through advice and innovation • Private sector engagement is needed for transformative change in global food systems, and there are real opportunities for businesses, governments and people to work together

14. This requires understanding of trade-offs between the agendas and concerns of different sectors Some valuable tools for supporting biodiversity mainstreaming and agricultural production include: • a systematic approach to spatial planning • accessto genetic resources and benefit-sharing • full engagement of all relevant stakeholders • the appropriate and effective use of incentive measures • accounting systems that incorporate a full understanding of the many values of biodiversity and ecosystem services

15. In roundtable discussions participants considered options to enhance the work of a range of intergovernmental processes so as to facilitate integration of biodiversity considerations into sustainable agriculture – options and the extent to which they were promoted are illustrated in the world cloud below:

16. The Eighth Trondheim Conference on Biodiversity: • Heard about concerns from both the agriculture and biodiversity communities, but also saw examples of real opportunities for increased cooperation • Compiled findings into a conference co-chairs’ summary report for broader communication, while also making the full presentations available online • Identified opportunities for communicating key messages into intergovernmental processes, including through the meetings in 2016 of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the FAO Committee on Agriculture

17. Conference website: www.trondheimconference.org IISD/ENB coverage: www.iisd.ca/biodiv/tcb/2016 The Eighth Trondheim Conference was organized with the support of: All photographs courtesy of Norwegian Environment Agency Photographers: Elin FosshaugOlsø and Morten Ekker