BiodiverCities by 2030: Transforming Cities’ Relationship with Nature

Recently, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has released a report, titled “BiodiverCities by 2030: Transforming Cities’ Relationship with Nature”.

BiodiverCities by 2030 Initiative: The report is a key output of the BiodiverCities by 2030 Initiative.

• Led jointly by the World Economic Forum and the Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute, BiodiverCities by 2030 Initiative is championed by the Government of Colombia.
• The initiative aims to support city governments, businesses and citizens, to make choices that enable cities to live in harmony with nature by 2030.
• BiodiverCities have five characteristics - guiding nature-positive actions on infrastructure, governance, economy, health and wellbeing.

Key Findings: Cities’ Contribution: Cities contribute nearly 80% to the global economy, but they also account for nearly 75% of greenhouse gas emissions.

• Biodiversity Loss: Urbanisation accounts for 11-16% of global biodiversity loss.
• Impact of Nature Loss: Around 44% of global GDP in cities is estimated to be at risk of disruption from nature loss.
• More than 1.4 billion people living in the world’s largest urban centres are threatened by natural hazards.
• Increase in Urban Population: Around 75% of the population on Earth will be living in cities by 2050 (currently 56%).
• During 1990-2015, the global urban population increased an average of 1.9 times.
• In the same period (19990-2015), the urban footprint increased an average of 2.5 times.