Ecosystem-based Approaches to Address Climate Change Challenges in the Greater Mekong Sub-region

To safeguard the region’s natural wealth and development gains in the face of climate change challenges, the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries need to strengthen the resilience of their natural and human systems.

The GMS must also harness opportunities to reduce its contribution to climate change. Ecosystem-based approaches can help GMS countries address these challenges by making use of ecosystems and biodiversity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to assist people to adapt to a changing climate.

The brief summarizes the current state of GMS knowledge and experience on ecosystem-based approaches. It draws upon work of the GMS Core Environment Program and partner institutions, including findings from the regional workshop “Mainstreaming an Ecosystem-based Approach to Climate Change into Biodiversity Conservation Planning,” which took place 15–16 October 2013 in Ha Noi, Vietnam.