With the support of the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework – EU support project, ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Center holds monthly webinars to keep the local and subnational governments (SNLGs) constituency, networks, and partners up-to-date on key milestones and the participatory process in preparation of ICLEI’s roadmap to COP 15 and the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
This set of two webinars was facilitated as open conversation-style discussions between panellists and attendees. The panel included representatives from national, regional, and local governments from around the world who shared their insights on the topic:
- Ms Jessica Kavonic, Senior Professional Officer: Climate Change and Urban Natural Assets, ICLEI Africa
- Dr Ernita van Wyk, Senior Professional Officer: Socio-ecological Systems, ICLEI Africa
- Dr. Rajan Chedambath, Director: Centre for Heritage, Environment and Development (C-HED), Research & Development wing of the Kochi Municipal Corporation, India
- Mr David Barlow, Snr Policy Officer, Lead – Green infrastructure & Biodiversity, City of Manchester Policy Team
- Ms Andrea Cruz Angon, Coordinator of Biodiversity Strategies and International Cooperation, CONABIO, Mexico
- Ms Marlene Laros, Director: Biodiversity and Coastal Management, Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, South Africa
- Mr Paul Dale, International Affairs Advisory, Secretariat for Infrastructure and Environment, Sao Paulo State Government, Brazil
The participants exchanged views on the role of local and subnational governments in suporting a green recovery in the wake of the COVID19 pandemic, consistent with the long term conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and on the way to COP15.
“Effective and sustainable management of biodiversity should be decentralized to its lowest appropriate level.” Ingrid Coetzee, Senior Manager: Biodiversity and Nature-based Solutions, ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Center (CBC)
Both panellists and attendees agreed that a green recovery meant a multi-level, cross-sectoral governance scheme where the local level is both an implementing partner and an innovation leader. Experiences from the Western Cape province (South Africa), the Mexican Federal State or the city of Manchester (United Kingdom) illustrated this role for subnational actors.
Moving forward, the two webinars highlighted that knowledge transfer, capacity-building and cooperation between all levels of governance were a key driver of transformative change, learning lessons from the latest health and nature crises and advocating for a biodiversity-positive, integrated recovery.
“We are moving to a model where nature and development are in harmony. We develop home-grown, localized nature-based solutions to our problems.” Dr. Rajan Chedambath, Director: Centre for Heritage, Environment and Development (C-HED), Research & Development wing of the Kochi Municipal Corporation, India
Register now to the ICLEI following webinars by clicking on the links below:
- 17th September 2020 at 10am CAT and 3pm at CAT
- 8th October 2020 at 10am CAT and 3pm at CAT
- 5th November 2020 at 10am CAT and 3pm CAT
- 3rd December 2020 at: 10am CAT and 3pm CAT
Watch ICLEI’s Post 2020 webinars here.
Check ICLEI’s Local and Subnational Engagement Platform here.
These webinars help echo and organize the voices of local and subnational governments in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to advance the Action Agenda for Nature and People and foster their participation in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) development process.
