IOF Weekly Seminars

Veronica Lo works with the International Institute for Sustainable Development, leading on research, policy and implementation of inclusive nature and climate initiatives. She has also consulted for various UN agencies, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, supporting partnerships in implementing the Rio Conventions and research on ecosystem-based adaptation. She has conducted academic research across disciplines and ecosystems, from experimental coastal field ecology to participatory approaches for protected area management. Currently she is also affiliated with the Faculty of Forestry & Environment Stewardship as a research associate investigating how stakeholders perceive social and environmental safeguards in nature-based solutions.

The deepening climate change and biodiversity loss crises, intertwined with destructive intensive fishing and aquaculture practices, necessitate new ways of meeting food security and livelihood needs sustainably and equitably. There is a growing policy imperative for implementing nature-based solutions, as evidenced by the role that nature plays in local and national adaptation plans and policies, as well as the increasing alignment between climate adaptation and nature conservation in multilateral environmental governance. Yet, work remains on scaling up nature-based solutions and integrating the concept across sectors. Nature-based aquaculture has the potential to generate multiple benefits to society and can help achieve several policy objectives, including on climate adaptation, livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. This talk will draw upon a case study on community-led oyster farms in Fiji, discussing the benefits and challenges of implementing a nature-based approach to aquaculture.