06.11.2025, LIB appelliert an die Teilnehmenden der UN-Klimakonferenz COP30

"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 also preserve - and understand - biodiversity. Every square metre of earth tells us something about the adaptability of life. To lose this knowledge would be to jeopardise our future."

Following the global stocktake at COP28 in Dubai and the financing negotiations at COP29 in Baku, COP30 in Belém from 10 to 21 November 2025 will focus on implementation and raising ambition: countries must revise their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) in order to keep the 1.5-degree limit achievable. The LIB emphasises that biodiversity is not just a side issue, but a prerequisite for successful climate policy.

The LIB researches how biodiversity, genetic diversity and ecosystems are changing worldwide - and how this knowledge can be channelled into nature-based solutions and sustainable transformation processes. From reforestation and habitat connectivity to sustainable agriculture and urban ecosystems, the institute's research shows that biodiversity can only thrive in places where biodiversity thrives: Climate resilience can only develop where biodiversity thrives.

"At the LIB, we closely combine biodiversity and climate research and thus create the basis for a dialogue between science, politics and society," emphasises Prof. Dr Simone Rödder, Head of the Centre for Knowledge Transfer. "We are also involving the social sciences, because the ecological transformation will only succeed if we better understand the role of expertise and science communication in society."

"COP30 offers the opportunity to make decisions on a solid scientific basis," explains Prof. Dr Alexander Suh, Head of the Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research. "At our centre, we analyse DNA and RNA, especially from animals and microorganisms, to understand how biodiversity has changed over the course of evolution - from very old timescales of speciation to young timescales in which populations adapt to changing environmental conditions. Our data from current and historical collections show not only how closely species are related to each other and what potential pathogens they are exposed to, but also how these interactions change over space and time."

"Species-rich ecosystems are more resistant to desiccation, flooding or pest infestation. This is shown 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 the COP30 is therefore: Focus on evidence-based action and invest in biodiversity research and nature conservation. This is the only way to implement nature-based solutions in a targeted manner and make ecosystems resilient to climate extremes."

With its appeal to the COP30, the LIB is calling on states to place research, biodiversity conservation and nature-based measures at the centre of the revised climate plans. The COP30 in Belém offers the opportunity to finally translate scientific findings into concrete, measurable action - for a liveable, diverse future on our planet.