International Nature Conservation Law and the Adaptation of Biodiversity to Climate Change: a Mismatch?

Abstract

Biological diversity worldwide is expected to come under increasing stress on account of climate change. International cooperation between states is required, inter alia because species and ecosystems will (attempt to) shift their distributions, including across jurisdictional boundaries. Current international nature conservation regimes were, however, not created with climate change in mind and are likely to fall short of what is required to adequately facilitate the adaptation of species and ecosystems to climate change. The article explores the mismatch involved and the associated challenge of making international nature conservation law climate change proof.