It is estimated that the overexploitation and degradation of the biodiversity ecosystems will result in the loss of 50% of Africa\u2019s bird and mammal species, and 20-30% of lake productivity by the end of the century, as well as decline of wildlife and fisheries.<\/em><\/p>\n Source:\u00a0The UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre<\/a>\u00a0(UNEP-WCMC), 2016.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Half of our ecosystems are under threat from biodiversity loss<\/a>. Wetlands and river ecosystems<\/a> are most at risk.<\/p>\n Why does it matter?<\/p>\n Rich, abundant biodiversity<\/a> provides important socio-economic benefits, often in poor rural areas, contributing to job creation, poverty alleviation, climate resilience, and inclusive growth. Rivers, wetlands, and water towers \u00a0are crucial ecological infrastructure for water security, food security, and sustainable economic development<\/a>.<\/p>\n As the\u00a0Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity<\/a>\u00a0puts it, \u201cThe loss of biodiversity threatens our food supplies, opportunities for recreation and tourism, and sources of wood, medicines, and energy. It also interferes with essential ecological functions.\u201d<\/p>\n The\u00a0Cooperation in International Waters in Africa<\/a>\u00a0program built up a team dedicated to its work on deepening its approach to biodiversity and transboundary water matters.<\/p>\n The World Bank Group is the leading multilateral financier of biodiversity.<\/a> In FY22, the Bank’s biodiversity portfolio was $2.8 billion, up from $1.9 billion in FY21, supporting more than 100 active projects with direct investments into nature.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n CIWA is exploring ways to better align its transboundary water cooperation efforts with biodiversity conservation goals, including identifying opportunities at the intersection of transboundary water management and freshwater biodiversity conservation.<\/p>\n That\u2019s because rivers and other freshwater ecosystems are key to supporting biodiversity and the benefits of healthy, functional and connected natural systems\u2014and cooperation over transboundary waters can contribute to these efforts.<\/p>\n Rivers deliver sediment to maintain riverbanks, floodplains, coastal dunes, and deltas. Wetlands are among the most biodiversity-rich ecosystems in the world, helping reduce flood risk, improve water purification and groundwater recharge, and support sustainable fishing.<\/p>\n Freshwater fish are essential for livelihoods, food security, and local economies. Sustainable groundwater supply is critical for Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems<\/a> (GDEs), including riparian vegetation and grasslands, and indirectly sustains lakes and wetlands.<\/p>\n CIWA recently conducted a biodiversity assessment of its work in sub-Saharan Africa<\/a>. It aimed to: The assessment concluded that CIWA\u2019s support of biodiversity-related activities provide both direct and indirect benefits to biodiversity conservation<\/a> in sub-Saharan Africa.<\/p>\n Key direct benefits of CIWA activities to biodiversity conservation<\/a> include facilitating integrated and innovative approaches to better understand the linkages between improved ecosystem integrity and river connectivity, the role of climate change adaptation in freshwater resource planning and management, and the provision of ecosystem services.<\/p>\n Key indirect benefits include strengthening river basin organizations (RBOs) and national water management<\/a> agencies, supporting civil society organizations (CSOs) to facilitate evidence-based decision-making, developing platforms to share information, and supporting improved rural livelihoods to reduce unsustainable natural resource exploitation practices.<\/p>\n The assessment also highlighted the opportunity to develop a more structured, integrated approach to embedding biodiversity conservation<\/a> considerations into the planning, design and implementation of CIWA\u2019s activities and initiatives.<\/p>\n The assessment concluded that CIWA\u2019s support of biodiversity-related activities provide both direct and indirect benefits to biodiversity conservation in sub-Saharan Africa.<\/p>\n Key direct benefits of CIWA activities to biodiversity conservation include facilitating integrated and innovative approaches to better understand the linkages between improved ecosystem integrity and river connectivity, the role of climate change<\/a> adaptation in freshwater resource planning and management, and the provision of ecosystem services.<\/p>\n Key indirect benefits include strengthening river basin organizations (RBOs) and national water management agencies, supporting civil society organizations (CSOs) to facilitate evidence-based decision-making, developing platforms to share information, and supporting improved rural livelihoods to reduce unsustainable natural resource<\/a> exploitation practices.<\/p>\n The assessment also highlighted the opportunity to develop a more structured, integrated approach to embedding biodiversity conservation considerations into the planning, design and implementation of CIWA\u2019s activities and initiatives.<\/p>\n At COP15, in December 2022, nations adopted the\u00a0Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework<\/a>\u00a0agreeing to conserve and manage at least 30 percent of the world\u2019s lands, inland waters, coastal areas and oceans. With emphasis on areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning and services<\/a>.<\/p>\n Potential opportunities for enhanced transboundary waters cooperation linked to biodiversity conservation that CIWA is considering include:
\n\u25cf Examine the role of rivers and other transboundary freshwater ecosystems in supporting biodiversity<\/a> and services and benefits associated with healthy natural systems
\n\u25cf Identify the major threats to rivers and freshwater ecosystems
\n\u25cf Develop a methodology and approach in assessing CIWA program activities on their contribution to biodiversity (including the DPSIR – Drivers, Pressures, State, Impact, Responses- framework below from\u00a0IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature<\/a>)
\n\u25cf Present the findings and a conceptual framework for action for discussion with stakeholders in the region.<\/p>\nConservation<\/a> of Nature (IUCN), 2022″ src=”https:\/\/blogs.worldbank.org\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/full_width\/public\/2023-05\/transboundary_waters_and_freshwater_biodiversity_dpsir_conceptual_flow_diagram.jpg?itok=9XFKmoxl” alt=”Transboundary Waters and Freshwater Biodiversity. Source: The International Union for Conservation of Nature<\/a> (IUCN), 2022″ data-src=”https:\/\/blogs.worldbank.org\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/full_width\/public\/2023-05\/transboundary_waters_and_freshwater_biodiversity_dpsir_conceptual_flow_diagram.jpg?itok=9XFKmoxl” \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\u25cf Contributing to the improvement of the environmental, human, and economic health of Lake Victoria and its surrounding communities<\/a> through a holistic, long-term basin-wide sanitation approach. Watch our video explainer:<\/p>\n