With the support of the Post 20202 Biodiversity Framework.EU support project, ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Center holds monthly webinars to keep the local and subnational government constituency, networks, and partners up to date on key milestones and the participatory preparation process of the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework on the roadmap to COP 15.
“Engaging with the community is one of the biggest added value assets that we have to have the government build into that restoration effort.” Jay Wilson, Columbia City (Washington State – United States of America)
Ahead of World Environment Day on the 5th of June and following the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, this webinar highlighted how cities and regions are preventing, halting and reversing the degradation of ecosystems worldwide through the sharing of case studies and best practices from across the world.
« The restoration of ecosystems and natural protected areas can only be led efficiently if working with multiple partners.” Asis Alcocer, Yucatan State (Mexico)
Discussions started with an update on the post 2020 roadmap to CBD COP 15, which included a presentation of the latest developments over the ongoing SBSTTA24 and SBI-3 running up until June 16th, 2021. ICLEI CBC reported that on May 28th a first reading of the draft decision on local and subnational governments (CBD/SBI/3/19) and proposal of Item 11 was read and supported by several CBD parties (EU & Member States, Mexico, Canada, Japan, Colombia, Ecuador) and expressed confidence of it being adopted over CBD COP15.
SBI-3 recognized that in the post-COVID world, the role of subnational governments, cities and other local authorities is even more important, so that effective green responses, recovery and redesign approaches requiring collaborative action can be co-designed and rapidly implemented, with respect to each level of government’s competencies, ensuring that such approaches apply and promote biodiversity in both cities and non-urban territories. It also urges Parties to implement the updated plan of action by involving subnational governments, cities and other local authorities in the revision and implementation of their national biodiversity strategies and action plans; ensuring engagement of subnational governments, cities and other local authorities in mainstreaming of biodiversity; and llocating human, technical and financial resources, as appropriate, in a matter supportive of principle 2 of the ecosystem approach.
“Environmental campaigns and awareness raising are key to encourage participation and make everyone enjoy the benefits of environmental resources.” Caroline Duarte Medina, Yucatan State (Mexico)
The update then covered the UN Decade Launch event and its high-level panel held with UNEP. Finally it announced the IUCN Local Action Summit as part of the WCC scheduled on September 3rd and its set of 4 preparatory webinars to be held on June 22, 23, 29 and 30 organized by the Post 2020 Biodiversity Framework – EU support project, IUCN and Office Français de la Biodiversité (OFB). Registration remains opened on: http://www.iucnlasummit.org/en
Across the 2nd part of the webinar, several cities and regions profiled their actions to restore nature. Invited panelists included representatives from the cities of Johannesburg (South Africa), Stockholm (Sweden), Puerto Princesa (Philippines), Essen (Germany), Columbia (United States of America), Orange (United States of America) and the state of Yucatan (Mexico). Inspirational models presented included the catchment management planning (South Africa), mangrove restoration utility (Philippines), the recovery strategy of cenotes and caves and arborizing plan with native tree nurseries (Mexico) and the ecological value of preserving our land (United States).
“The local collective action taken everywhere does add up to the global impact. Let’s make this UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration really catalyze our efforts for nature!” Ingrid Coetzee, ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Center
In partnership with the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments and the Post 2020 Biodiversity Framework – EU support project, these webinars run by ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Center help echoing and organizing the voice of local and subnational governments in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) for advancing the Action Agenda for Nature and People and in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) development process.
Register now to the coming webinars by clicking here
Watch ICLEI’s Post 2020 webinars here
Check ICLEI’s Local and Subnational Engagement Platform here
