The United Nations/IPBES 2019 Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity states that human activity has altered almost 75 per cent of the earth’s surface, squeezing wildlife and nature into an ever-smaller corner of the planet. Around 1 million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction – many within decades. The report called for transformative changes to restore and protect nature. It found that the health of ecosystems on which we and all other species depend is deteriorating more rapidly than ever, affecting the foundations of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide.
Deforestation and desertification – caused by human activities and climate change – pose major challenges to sustainable development and have affected the lives and livelihoods of millions of people. Forests are vitally important for sustaining life on Earth and play a major role in the fight against climate change. And investing in land restoration is critical for improving livelihoods, reducing vulnerabilities, and reducing risks for the economy.
The health of our planet also plays an important role in the emergence of zoonotic diseases, i.e. diseases that are transmissible between animals and humans. As we continue to encroach on fragile ecosystems, we bring humans into ever-greater contact with wildlife, enabling pathogens in wildlife to spill over to livestock and humans, increasing the risk of disease emergence and amplification. The COVID-19 outbreak highlights the need to address threats to ecosystems and wildlife.
As the world responds to and recovers from the current pandemic, it will need a robust plan for protecting nature, so that nature can protect humanity. By incorporating biodiversity into their development agendas, cities can become more biodiverse and lead the way to sustainable urban development.
Below are 5 programmes on the use platform being implemented by local governments to protect the urban environment and conserve biodiversity in their cities to ensure long-term sustainability:
Bee Path - Ljubljana, Slovenia
Two-thirds of the total surface of Ljubljana are rural areas, in which approximately 300 beekeepers maintain more than 4,500 beehives, housing as many as 180 million bees. Ljubljana’s Bee Path opened in 2015. The path is designed in such a way that visitors can learn the important role bees play in the city’s environment, the value of honey in our daily diet, and find out more about the city's long established beekeeping culture. The city encourages ecological good practices in beekeeping. Besides maintaining forest areas in the city, melliferous trees and perennial plants on public green areas are planted and by co-financing bee associations, the level of professional competence of beekeepers has risen. The City administration puts great emphasis on self-sustainability and by doing so, Ljubljana tries to shorten food supply chains to ensure food sovereignty for citizens and help preserve biodiversity.
Strasbourg unites for biodiversity - Strasbourg, France
The All united for more biodiversity charter, launched in 2012, is based on sustainable development and a participatory approach. The charter brings together 75 signatories from both professional and community organisations who commit to supporting biodiversity. Since then, the City government has worked steadily on improving its environmental impact, and on promoting biodiversity through their forests and woods, parkland and nursery gardens, both in the city centre and on the outskirts. While 89% of organisations used pesticides when signing the charter, 84% of the signatories pledged to plant local species, whether meadows, natural hedges or fruit trees. Through the charter, all stakeholders are given the opportunity to work together, thus strengthening an eco-friendly network and multiplying its impact on the city.
Seoul Urban Renewal: Cheonggyecheon Stream Restoration - Seoul, South Korea
The aim of the project was to restore a decrepit public space and create a waterfront in the downtown area of Seoul. The restoration had to consider diverse factors of Cheonggyecheon in historical, structural and functional aspects. Most of all, the project had to create a better natural environment, which was the biggest aspiration of the citizens. To this end, it was imperative to secure water supply for the stream. Cheonggyecheon Stream has been transformed into a 10.9 km (7.0 miles) modern public recreation space in downtown Seoul. As a result, the ecosystem was restored as wildlife fish species, birds, insects and plants increased.
Edinburgh in Bloom - Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh in Bloom brings together individuals and organisations to help make the city more attractive and sustainable. It encompasses a range of initiatives, such as planting flowers alongside streets and in parks and conserving threatened species. Community participation is a central feature of the initiative. It funds community projects, and helps set up groups and mobilise volunteers. For example, a ‘garden share’ scheme allows people without a garden to grow food and flowers, and a ‘garden aid’ service helps elderly or infirm residents look after their gardens. Finally, the initiative is about encouraging environmentally sustainable practices, such as rainwater collection, developing cycle infrastructure and replacing street lighting with energy efficient LED bulbs. By mobilising support and coordinating action, Edinburgh in Bloom is setting a new standard for conserving and enhancing historic and natural environments in imaginative and sustainable ways.
The Madrid Río Park - Madrid, Spain
In June 2008, the Department of Urban Planning of the Madrid City Council officially launched the Madrid Río Project to reclaim the Manzanares River, restoring the surrounding natural habitat for residents to enjoy. Before launching the project, the city had first to convert the M30 multilane highway underground, resulting in a ten kilometres long parkland area. After eight years of planning and construction the last section of Madrid Río was finally opened to the public in April 2015; 820 hectares have been converted into a long park. The riverbank has thus become an integral part of the city centre, and now offers Madrilenians and visitors an area surrounded by vegetation and filled with wide a range of sports, leisure and cultural facilities.
For more programmes and policies related to biodiversity search the use data base by SDG 15 or topic – biodiversity: https://use.metropolis.org/search