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STAY IN THE LOOP

Keep up to date with the latest news, events and upcoming webinars

 

 

UN Biodiversity Summit
 

World leaders gathered on 30 September at the UN Biodiversity Summit to highlight the crisis of biodiversity loss and the urgent need to accelerate action for nature. Mayor Valerie Plante, ICLEI’s Global Ambassador for Local Biodiversity made the following statement:

 

 

 
 
UNDP NatureForLife Hub
 

To coincide with the 75th UN General Assembly and the UN Biodiversity Summit, the UNDP and partners held a four-day “Nature for Life Hub” virtual event where global leaders shared stories and commitments for nature. Cities were profiled by Deputy Mayor Rodrigues from London and Alderman Limberg from Cape Town on the value of nature in achieving the SDGS; Mayor Valerie Plante, ICLEI’s Global Ambassador for Local Biodiversity, profiled cities’ vision for taking local action in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework; Deputy Mayor Ristani from Tirana profiled her cities’ plans for a green recovery and advancing inclusive green new deals; and Kobie Brand, ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Center Global Director introduced the global audience to CitiesWithNature.

 
 
Leaders’ Pledge for Nature
 

76 leaders from around the world committed to reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 at the UN Biodiversity Summit. This included a commitment by Mayor Valerie Plante, ICLEI’s Global Ambassador for Local Biodiversity on behalf of ICLEI. The Leaders Pledge for Nature is open to further endorsements.

 
U20 Communique
 

Urban20 (U20) is a city diplomacy initiative that brings together cities from G20 member states, to discuss and form a common position on key urban issues. At the U20 Mayors Summit, held on 1 & 2 October, 39 mayors and city leaders endorsed a 27-point consensus-built Communiqué to the G20, which includes several points on nature-based solutions, ecosystems and biodiversity.

 
 
 
 

 

 

ICLEI’s Daring Cities event will take place virtually from 7-28 October 2020, offering an array of high level and visionary speaking sessions, a series of informative workshops and networking opportunities. Click on some of biodiversity related sessions below to learn more.

 
 
18th European Week of Regions and Cities
 

The 18th European Week of Regions and Cities virtual event brings together regions and cities from all over Europe and dedicates its purpose to discussing common challenges and providing a platform for capacity building, networking and policy cohesion. The event is divided into three thematic sessions, one being Green Europe from 19-22 October.

 
 
Closing the Nature Funding Gap: A Finance Plan for the Planet
 

The Nature Conservancy, the Paulson Institute and the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability compiled a report which offers the most comprehensive assessment to date on how much the world currently spends to benefit nature, how much more we need to be spending, and how we can close the nature funding gap now.

 
World Urban Parks’ Pathways to Recovery
 

World Urban Parks has recently launched a wellbeing and resilience document which is a live and updated international guide of resources, insights and community perspectives aimed at helping to connect parks agencies, community organizations, individuals, cities, and park conservancies to better navigate a path towards recovery, equity, wellbeing, social justice and resilience in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 
 
 
 
IUCN’s guideline document for ecological corridors
 

 "Connectivity conservation is essential for managing healthy ecosystems, conserving biodiversity and adapting to climate change across all biomes and spatial scales."

 
 

POST-2020

Keeping you up to date on key moments for biodiversity in the Post 2020 process

 

 

 
 
Edinburgh Process for Subnational Governments, Cities and Local Authorities on the development of the Post 2020 global biodiversity framework
 

The Edinburgh Declaration for subnational governments, cities and local authorities on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, is now available to access and is open for signature by subnational and local governments and networks, supportive organisations and supportive national governments up to COP 15.

 
The Scottish Government and the SCBD webinar
 

The Secretariat to the Convention on Biological Diversity hosted a webinar on 23 September on the outcomes of the Edinburgh Process on the role of subnational governments and local authorities in the post 2020 global biodiversity framework.



 
 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Keeping you up to date with interesting publications and news from our partners and network

 

 

 
 
ICLEI South America launches thematic sub-network of Local Protected Areas
 

A sub-network of protected areas has been created by ICLEI South America for municipalities to exchange experiences, access tools and financing instruments, and collectively manage biodiversity conservation processes.


The City of Cape Town uses infrared technology to complete first tree-mapping project
 

The City of Cape Town has completed South Africa’s first ever tree mapping project. This project identified all the trees within the city and provides clear data on the development of the city’s urban forest.


8 80 Cities
 

Whether you’re 8 or 80 years old, cities should work for everyone. The non-profit organization named 8 80 Cities are involved in projects and initiatives related to city planning, community engagement, mobility, and tactical urbanism.

 
FAO’s Green Cities to build back better for SDGs
 

FAO hosted a high-level virtual event focused on “Green cities to build back better for SDGs - A new powerful venture”, on the occasion of the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly. The event launched the “FAO Green Cities Action Programme”, an initiative focusing on small to metropolitan cities that aim to improve people’s wellbeing through increased availability of and access to products and services provided by green spaces, including urban and peri-urban forestry, agriculture and by sustainable food systems.

 
 
Have your say
Please share your stories of nature in your cities with us on this Google Form and stand a chance to be featured in the next CitiesWithNature Buzz.
 
 

The current global pandemic is calling us to increasingly connect online. CitiesWithNature, a first-of-its-kind initiative, is supporting an online community of practice and enabling learning and action around integrating nature in cities and reconnecting people with nature. We all need nature now, more than ever before. 


 
 

 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 

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