idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
In view of the upcoming UN Climate Conference COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB) is issuing an appeal to the international community: biological diversity must play a stronger role in global climate negotiations. Without intact ecosystems and an understanding of how they function, nature-based solutions for climate protection and ecological transformation cannot be implemented.
“Climate protection and species conservation are two sides of the same coin,” says Prof Dr Bernhard Misof, Director General of the LIB. “We can only effectively limit the consequences of global warming if we simultaneously preserve – and understand – biological diversity. Every square metre of Earth tells us something about life’s ability to adapt. Losing this knowledge would mean risking our future.”
Following the “Global Stocktake” at COP28 in Dubai and the financing negotiations at COP29 in Baku, COP30 in Belém, held from 10 to 21 November 2025, will focus on implementation and raising ambition: countries must revise their national climate contributions (NDCs) to keep the 1.5-degree target within reach. The LIB emphasises that biodiversity is not merely a side issue, but a prerequisite for successful climate policy.
The LIB investigates how species diversity, genetic diversity and ecosystems are changing worldwide – and how this knowledge can feed into nature-based solutions and sustainable transformation processes. From reforestation and habitat connectivity to sustainable agriculture and urban ecosystems, the Institute’s research shows: only where biodiversity thrives can climate resilience take root.
“At the LIB, we closely link biodiversity and climate research, creating a foundation for dialogue between science, policy and society,” says Prof Dr Simone Rödder, Head of the Centre for Knowledge Transfer. “We also involve the social sciences, because ecological transformation can only succeed if we better understand the role of expertise and science communication in society.”
“COP30 offers an opportunity to make decisions based on solid scientific evidence,” explains Prof Dr Alexander Suh, Head of the Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research. “At our centre, we analyse DNA and RNA – primarily from animals and microorganisms – to understand how biological diversity has evolved over time: from ancient timescales of speciation to more recent ones in which populations adapt to changing environmental conditions. Our data from current and historical collections reveal not only how closely species are related and which potential pathogens they are exposed to, but also how these interactions change across space and time.”
“Species-rich ecosystems are more resilient to drought, flooding or pest infestation. This is demonstrated by experiments and data from biodiversity monitoring,” emphasises Prof Dr Christoph Scherber, Head of the Centre for Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation Research. “Our appeal to COP30 is therefore: base decisions on evidence and invest in biodiversity research and conservation. Only then can nature-based solutions be effectively implemented and ecosystems made resilient to climate extremes.”
With its appeal to COP30, the LIB calls on nations to place research, biodiversity conservation and nature-based measures at the centre of their revised climate plans. COP30 in Belém provides an opportunity to finally translate scientific knowledge into concrete, measurable actions – for a liveable and diverse future on our planet.
Prof. Dr. Bernhard Misof
Director General LIB
Phone: +49 228 9122 200
E-Mail: b.misof@leibniz-lib.de
Symbolic image of a rainforest in Malaysia.
Copyright: LIB, Alexander Haas
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Biology, Environment / ecology, Oceanology / climate, Zoology / agricultural and forest sciences
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English
Symbolic image of a rainforest in Malaysia.
Copyright: LIB, Alexander Haas
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