Without biodiversity, the future is bleak. We rely on flora and fauna to preserve the quality of the air we breathe and the water we drink. We must protect and support our local ecosystems, not only for ourselves, but in appreciation of and respect for the inherent value of nature. We are however in luck - regional and local authorities worldwide are taking concrete action to preserve and enhance biodiversity. Many are convening this October in Cali, Colombia for the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) to solidify action towards achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). With the focus of this COP on implementation and tangible actions, NetworkNature partners and projects are bringing the voices of European cities to the event via a series of sessions highlighting learnings and opportunities coming out of a number of Horizon Europe projects and related initiatives.
Not to be missed is the launch of the Berlin Urban Nature Pact, to which Berlin has recently committed. A global initiative led by Berlin and shaped through several years of consultations and iteration with cities worldwide, the Pact is the next milestone for cities and regions that proceeds agreements such as the Edinburgh Declaration and the Montreal Pledge.
Acknowledging the central role of cities in driving transformative change, the Pact provides a tangible framework for urban leaders to implement ambitious biodiversity goals. It thereby also helps translate policies from various levels (e.g., GBF and EU Nature Restoration Law) into local action. The Pact does so by setting 28 targets across key domains (signatories then need to select a minimum of 15) in order to promote biodiversity through nature-based solutions, such as increasing tree coverage, restoring habitats and using biodiversity-friendly design standards for buildings. Such solutions benefit not just human inhabitants of urban areas, but also native ecosystems, ensuring the quality of life, health and resilience of our cities for generations to come.
The Pact additionally provides principles and concrete implementation guidance for the targets, as well as opportunities to monitor implementation and track progress. But cities do not need to do any of this alone; they will be able to join a community of practice under the Pact and find mutual inspiration and ideas to tackle frequent challenges. This is why ICLEI Europe, along with its partner IUCN (both NetworkNature members) and ICLEI CBC is supporting Berlin to launch the Pact at COP16 during the 8th Summit for Subnational Governments and Cities on 26th October. There will also be other chances to engage with the Pact, such as at a dedicated deep dive session on 28th October at the Subnational and Local Governments Hub (Blue Zone) from 15:00 to 16:00 local time. City representatives will be able to learn more about the advantages of the Pact, and how to enroll their cities, so do join us!
In addition to connecting with the Pact, a number of EU Horizon projects will also present their learnings in Cali. Check out the list below to connect with projects co-creating, implementing, and testing #naturebasedsolutions interventions across Europe, and beyond.
COP16: Nature-based Solutions and Biodiversity Events
October 21st, 15:30 (EU Pavilion, Blue Zone)
Event: Advancing Nature-based Solutions with Strategic Multilevel Governance
Organised by: EU project NetworkNature
Details: Streaming available, EN/SP interpretation
October 23rd, 15:30 (EU Pavilion, Blue Zone)
Event: Bridging Global Perspectives on Transformative Change towards a Nature-Positive Economy
Led by: EC NbS Task Force 3
Details: Streaming available, EN/SP interpretation
October 25th, 10:00 (Universidad ECCI, 4th floor Salón Mulitpropósito, Green Zone)
Event: Platforms for cooperation between Europe and Latin America for biodiversity and people
Organised by Humboldt Institute and Oppla
Details: EN/ES translation available
October 25th, 14:00 (Green Zone)
Event: Love Letters to Nature
Organised by: TNOC, EU project NetworkNature, Latin american Landscape Initiative (LALI)
October 25th, 15:30 (EU Pavilion, Blue Zone)
Event: The Role of Science-Policy Interfaces in Supporting the Implementation and Monitoring of the KM-GBF
Organised by: CO-OP4CBD, RESPIN, Biodiversa+, and BioAgora
October 26th, 09:30-13:00 (Casa Humboldt, Centro Cultural Comfandi - Biblioteca Infantil, auditorio Ariari, Green Zone)
Event: Minecraft for Biodiverse Cities: engaging communities to design nature-based solutions
Organised by: Humboldt Institute and Oppla
Details: EN/ES translation available
October 26th, 9:45 (Green Zone, Universidad ECCI)
Event: Bridging Economy and Biodiversity: Collaborative Approaches to a Nature-Positive Future
Hosted by: EU project GoNaturePositive!
October 26th, 12:00 (Green Zone, Main Auditorium, Cali Cultural Center)
Event: Co-creating a Nature-Positive Economy: from Theory to Practice
Hosted by: EU project GoNaturePositive!
October 26th, 17:00 (Blue Zone)
Event: Launch of the Berlin Urban Nature Pact
At: 8th Summit for Subnational Governments and Cities
October 26th, 17:00 (Casa Humboldt, Centro Cultural Comfandi - Auditorio Bita, Green Zone)
Event: Naturaleza Transformativa launch event and reception
Organised by: Humboldt Institute and Oppla
Details: EN/ES translation available; drinks and light refreshments
October 27th, 17:30 (EU Pavilion, Blue Zone)
Event: Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Climate Action: The Role of Nature-based Solutions
Host: European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
Partners: Committee of the Regions (CoR), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), NetworkNature, ICLEI Europe
October 28th, 12:00 (Green Zone, Banco de Bogota, Auditorio Prinicipal)
Event: Unlocking Private Finance to Enable a Just Transition towards a Regenerative Economy?
Convened by: NetworkNature, ALTAMIRA, and We Are Water Foundation. With contributions from Mutual Empathy , ITACA and CleantechHUB.
October 28th, 12:00 (Blue Zone, LSNG Hub at Place Quebec)
Event: Integrando la Evaluación de Riesgos y la Cobertura de Seguros con SbN para Ciudades y Regiones
Organised by: NATURANCE
October 30th, 10:00 (EU Pavilion, Blue Zone)
Event: Finance for a Just Transition to a Nature-Positive Economy
Led by: NetworkNature and UNEP WCMC
October 31st, 17:30 (EU Pavilion, Blue Zone)
Event: Science-Policy Interface Contribution to the Subjects of Biodiversity & Health and Biodiversity & Climate Change
Organised by: CO-OP4CBD, RESPIN, Biodiversa+, and BioAgora
Our commitment to biodiversity and global action is not limited to CBD COP16, and yours shouldn’t be either. Looking for opportunities to make meaningful change in your community? Encourage local officials to join the Berlin Urban Nature Pact (sign up here to get updates), and explore establishing a local Nature-based Solutions Hub.