USE:POSITIONS with Britta Behrendt

The Senate Department for Urban Mobility, Transport, Climate Action and the Environment in Berlin, plays a crucial role in safeguarding the city's environmental future. Established to protect and promote Berlin's sustainability, this department oversees the development, implementation, and management of significant environmental, climate, biodiversity, and urban nature initiatives.

 

As part of our use positions series, we interviewed Britta Behrendt, State Secretary for the Environment and Climate Protection in Berlin. We asked Britta to share her insights on how the department's programs address the impact of the climate crisis on urban biodiversity and other sustainability challenges facing the city.

 

Who are you and what do you do?

I am Britta Behrendt, State Secretary for the Environment and Climate Protection in Berlin. My work focuses on advancing environmental sustainability in urban development through climate change mitigation and adaptation, circular economy, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable water management. I oversee policies and initiatives that, for example, improve green and blue infrastructure, promote natural habitats and ecological balance to ensure that Berlin remains a liveable and environmentally responsible city.

 

The Berlin Urban Nature Pact is a new initiative to strengthen urban biodiversity. Why is urban nature an important topic for Berlin and in general? What does the initiative mean for the city of Berlin and its approach to urban nature?

Urban nature is essential for Berlin and cities worldwide, providing habitats for different species and providing ecosystem services such as water retention, cooling and improving the wellbeing and health of citizens. With a population of nearly 4 million, more than 20,000 species of plants and animals, and around 30% of its land covered by green spaces and forests, Berlin demonstrates how nature and urban life can coexist. 

The Berlin Urban Nature Pact is helping to strengthen our efforts to protect and expand ecologically valuable green spaces, integrate biodiversity into planning processes, and engage communities in environmental stewardship. Overall, it reinforces the implementation of our Biodiversity Strategy, the Charter for Berlin's Green Spaces, the Water Masterplan, the Energy and Climate Programme and other relevant policies. And while Berlin has a good proportion of green spaces and biodiversity, there is still much work to be done to enhance these assets and meet the targets of the Pact.

 

© Berlin Urban Nature Pact

 

What are the main objectives of the Berlin Urban Nature Pact, and how do they align with global biodiversity goals such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework?

The Pact seeks to halt and reverse biodiversity loss to put nature on a path to recovery for the benefit of people and the planet in cities worldwide by 2030 and beyond. Its objectives align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, for example by supporting habitat restoration, improving the quality and connectivity of, and access to green and blue spaces, and promoting nature-based solutions.

The Berlin Pact comprises seven target areas, spanning 28 smart targets 1) education and nature experience, 2) species and habitats, 3) co-habitation, 4) green infrastructure and ecosystems, 5) blue infrastructure and water management, 6) soil health, and 7) food and agriculture. Signatories will lead the path towards a nature-positive urban century by committing to at least 15 of the 28 targets.

What makes the Pact unique is that it has smart targets that fit the urban context; that it focuses not only on environmental issues but also on how biodiversity can strengthen social and economic resilience; and that it was designed by cities, for cities, worldwide.

 

Why is it important for cities to take the lead in urban biodiversity action, and how can initiatives like the Berlin Urban Nature Pact inspire other cities worldwide?

Cities, as well as local and regional authorities, already play a key role in driving local action and are uniquely positioned to strengthen efforts to reverse biodiversity loss and promote urban nature. The Berlin Urban Nature Pact provides an opportunity for bold, local action while contributing to global targets. 

By joining, cities become part of a worldwide community committed to making a real difference in preserving biodiversity and fostering innovation through collaboration. And there is nothing more powerful than sharing knowledge, expertise and best practice to learn from and inspire each other, which is one of the core principles of the Pact.

Berlin is keen to explore, together with the signing cities, the wealth and breadth of new and innovative solutions to create biodiverse and healthy urban environments for our and future generations.

 

Find out more about the innovative work being carried out by the Senate Department for the Environment and Climate Protection in Berlin 

• by reading The Berlin Urban Nature Pact.
• by visiting the Senate Department for Urban Mobility, Transport, Climate Action and the Environment webpage.

 

About Britta Britta Behrendt:

Britta Behrendt has served as State Secretary at the Senate Department for Mobility, Transport, Climate and Environmental Protection since 2023, overseeing climate and environmental protection initiatives. Previously, she held the position of Head of Division for Migration and Refugee Policy at the Federal Ministry of the Interior, where she co-ordinated the reception of Ukrainian refugees and led the flood-related emergency unit. Her career also includes experience working in the Bundestag and serving as a personal advisor to Ursula von der Leyen during her tenure at the Ministry of Defence.

 

© Britta Behrendt / State Secretary for the Environment and Climate Protection in Berlin