CBD COP16 kicks off next week in Cali, Colombia!
Date: Saturday 26 October 2024
Venue: Plenary Room / Working Group Room 1 in the Blue Zone
CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature feature proudly at CBD COP16
Ingrid Coetzee, Director, Nature Biodiversity & Health, ICLEI CBC
The 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) recently took place in Cali, Colombia, bringing together governments and organizations from across the globe to address escalating biodiversity loss. While COP16 may not have concluded as hoped, many achievements were made.
Cities and regions were applauded as key actors that are stepping up to play a pivotal role in protecting natural ecosystems. At the forefront of these efforts are the CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature initiatives, which empower local and subnational governments to take concrete actions towards biodiversity conservation.
The 8th Summit for Subnational Governments and Cities, which took place on 26 October 2024 in the main plenary negotiation hall, brought together Governors, Mayors, and other subnational leaders from across the globe to collaborate with national officials and key stakeholders to discuss local and regional biodiversity initiatives, aimed at supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the Plan of Action outlined in Decision 15/12.
The 8th Summit was widely lauded as a true demonstration of a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, and saw many key announcements relating to CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature. Additionally, Plaza Quebec at COP16, funded by the Government of Quebec, provided a vibrant space for all of the Major Groups, including subnational and local authorities, to hold dynamic sessions and discussions for the full two weeks of the COP.
Strong results for CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature
CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature have become pivotal tools for implementing biodiversity strategies at multiple government levels. By creating a framework through which cities and regions can showcase and report on their progress, these platforms enable them to support National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and contribute towards global biodiversity objectives. Today, over 350 cities and regions from 77 countries are part of these initiatives, with Beijing being the 350th member city, symbolizing China’s growing role in the global biodiversity movement. Several Chinese cities, all part of CitiesWithNature, that have significantly promoted local biodiversity initiatives were also recognized at the Summit for Biodiversity Charming Cities Best Practices. The most recent cities awarded this accolade are Anji City, Beijing City, Beilun District of Ningbo City, Lishui City, Ninghe District of Tianjin City, Ordos City, Shaoxing City, Shiyan City and Xiamen City.
In a landmark moment for global conservation efforts, over 100 new cities and regions have joined the CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature partnerships since COP15, demonstrating a growing commitment from local governments worldwide to address biodiversity challenges and contribute to the GBF. These initiatives, endorsed by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD), provide a collaborative platform where local and subnational governments can report on and track their contributions towards national and global biodiversity goals.
Cali, Colombia, host city of COP16 and co-host of the 8th Summit, also joined the CitiesWithNature initiative. “As Mayor of Cali, it’s an honor to be host of this historic moment, at a crucial point in time, in which nature is asking us to take important measures,” said Mayor Alejandro Eder. “It’s not a choice, but an imperative need, and not one that falls to a single country or government. Our planet is demanding we do more – and cities are at the center of this discussion. Cities are, and will be, the epicenter of change: We have the creativity, talent and will to protect our planet, starting right here in cities.”
Alejandro Eder, Mayor of Cali, Colombia
Bold steps for subnational action in Brazil
One of the most significant announcements made at the recent Summit came from Brazil, where the Brazilian Association of State Environmental Entities (ABEMA) declared that every state in the country would be joining the RegionsWithNature initiative. This historic step makes Brazil the first nation to have all its states sign up for RegionsWithNature. This collective commitment highlights Brazil’s recognition of the critical role of regional governance in biodiversity protection, and aligns with the country’s dedication to preserving its rich ecosystems and natural heritage.
Expanding regional action
Recognizing the need to provide a platform that addresses the specific needs of regions, Regions4 and ICLEI launched the RegionsWithNature Action Platform, as part of the RegionsWithNature initiative, at the Summit. This sister initiative to CitiesWithNature is designed to empower regional governments to develop localized biodiversity actions. It serves as a valuable resource for regions to share knowledge, report achievements, and access support tailored to regional governance. The Government of Quebec, one of the founding members of RegionsWithNature, has played a crucial role in financing the platform, underscoring the significance of regional commitment and partnership in expanding the initiative’s reach and impact.
Welcoming new partners onboard
Started in 2016 as a competition between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the City Nature Challenge (CNC) has grown into an international event, motivating people around the world to find and document wildlife in their own cities. Run by the Community Science teams at the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM), the CNC is an annual four-day global bioblitz at the end of April, where cities are in a collaboration-meets-friendly-competition to see what can be accomplished when we all work toward a common goal. In 9 years, 7.13 million observations have been collected! The CitiesWithNature initiative was thrilled to welcome the City Nature Challenge onboard as a new partner at the 8th Summit.
Looking ahead for greater biodiversity preservation
The CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature initiatives offer cities and regions globally a way to be accountable and transparent about their biodiversity commitments. With hundreds of cities and regions now part of these initiatives, the platform is well-positioned to help local and regional governments achieve their biodiversity goals, supporting a broader movement toward a sustainable and biodiverse future.
As these partnerships continue to grow, they underscore a critical insight: local and regional governments are key players in driving biodiversity preservation. By creating spaces for cooperation, knowledge exchange and accountability, CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature serve as essential tools in the global effort to protect natural ecosystems and ensure sustainable urban development. The steady growth in membership is a testament to the increasing recognition of these platforms and the shared global commitment to conserving our planet for future generations.
8th Summit for Subnational Governments & Cities: Taking Action for Biodiversity | CBD COP16
OFFICIAL PARALLEL EVENT TO THE CBD COP 16
The 8th Summit for Subnational Governments & Cities: Taking Action for Biodiversity will gather Governors, Mayors and other subnational government leaders from around the world to engage directly with national leaders and their key stakeholders during the 16th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16). Engagements will focus on subnational biodiversity actions at the local and territorial scale, in contributing to the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the Plan of Action under Decision 15/12.
What to expect
PARTNERING: Session 1 | Bridging the biodiversity finance gap: Partnering for nature
Explore innovative solutions, mechanisms and partnerships between subnational governments, cities, the private sector and Multilateral Development Banks to address the biodiversity finance gap.
PROGRES: Session 2| Whole-of-government solutions: Showcasing implementation progress made in urban and territorial action for biodiversity
Reflect on the progress made towards the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and Decision 15/12 Plan of Action, and other biodiversity-related Conventions and agendas.
PEACE: Session 3 | Living in harmony & making peace with nature: Sharing innovative practices
Learn from best practices and innovative solutions from local and subnational governments and other stakeholders that promote peaceful coexistence with nature, fostering sustainable development and biodiversity conservation.
Special announcements
Hear firsthand about new initiatives and exciting announcements from a wide range of leading subnational governments, cities, their networks and partners, including the launch of the Community of Practice Against Criminal Economies Affecting Biodiversity by the Mayor of Cali. CitiesWithNature will also be announcing our new cities and partners.
Watch the livestream
For more information visit the official Summit page
Valuing urban wetlands and human well-being
40% of all plant and animal species live or breed in wetlands.
Wetlands play a significant role in supporting ecosystems and biodiversity, and they are deeply connected to human well-being. Although they cover only around 6 percent of the earth’s land surface, 40 percent of all plant and animal species live or breed in wetlands; and about one in eight people on earth depend on wetlands for their livelihoods (United Nations, 2024). Despite the benefits for both the environment and communities, wetlands face critical threats due to anthropogenic influences and are the planet’s most threatened ecosystem. This World Wetlands Day is an opportunity to recognize the value of wetlands and to advocate for better conservation efforts.
Critical to environmental sustainability, wetlands sequester more carbon than any other ecosystem (NOAA, 2023), thereby mitigating climate change. They also buffer against climate change impacts and provide resilience against extreme weather events such as storm surges and flooding. Furthermore, they serve as vital habitats for diverse species, supporting fish, reptiles, migratory birds, and mammals.
Wetlands are essential for key municipal functions, naturally purifying water, controlling floods and supplying sustainable fresh water. They foster economic and livelihood activities like tourism, fisheries, and agriculture, contributing to the overall prosperity of communities around the globe. Based on their central life-sustaining role for so many communities, wetlands are cherished by communities worldwide, enhancing social well-being, offering recreational opportunities, holding deep cultural and spiritual significance, and fostering community well-being and resilience.
Despite their myriad benefits, these valuable ecosystems are under siege from pollution and habitat loss from land use change. In the last five decades, over 35% of wetlands have been lost, significantly jeopardizing the ecosystem services and benefits for plants, animals, and human communities. With urban populations expected to grow from 55% (current) to 68% by 2050, wetland ecosystems are considered the most threatened ecosystem (Ramsar. 2021).
Wetlands are essential for key municipal functions, naturally purifying water, controlling floods and supplying sustainable fresh water.
There is an urgent need for drastic conservation efforts to protect these valuable ecosystems.
For cities and regions, recognizing the relevance of wetlands in urban and environmental planning is paramount. Integrating wetland management goals into municipal planning, policies, and decision-making processes is necessary for sustainable development.
In 2023, CitiesWithNature partnered with the Ramsar Convention, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and ICLEI CBC to develop a poster and fact sheet on the value of wetlands for cities. These resources shed light on the functional benefits of wetlands in terms of water resources, climate regulation, livelihoods and poverty reduction, healthy ecosystems and biodiversity, job creation and upskilling, and culture, recreation and education. The poster intricately illustrates these processes, for example, how wetlands support urban heat mitigation by cooling surrounding areas and providing valuable spaces that bolster a region’s ability to adapt and withstand the adverse impacts of a changing climate. The fact sheet also provides useful recommendations on how cities can enhance and protect the benefits supplied by these vital ecosystems, such as conducting a stocktake of past and current wetlands management, developing integrated development plans and allocating appropriate budgets, and regulating land-use and development.
Given the critical role wetlands play in enhancing the quality of life for cities and communities, it is imperative that we recognize the value of wetlands, integrate wetlands protection into planning and policy agendas, and support active participation in conservation efforts and sustainable practices. World Wetlands Day serves as a call to action to secure a sustainable and resilient future for wetlands and the communities they support.
References:
NOAA. 2023. Coastal Blue Carbon. Available online: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/ecosystems/coastal-blue-carbon/#:~:text=Current%20studies%20suggest%20that%20mangroves,equivalent%20area%20than%20tropical%20forests.
Ramsar. 2021. Global Wetland Outlook: Special Edition 2021. Available online: https://www.global-wetland-outlook.ramsar.org/report-1
United Nations. 2024. Life interlaced: wetlands and people. Available online: https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-wetlands-day#:~:text=Though%20they%20cover%20only%20around,for%20tourism%20and%20for%20jobs.