Brief
Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Urban Development
This brief provides case studies from China and Germany outlining best practices for nature-based solutions (NBS).
Planting trees to improve urban air quality, converting disused brownfield sites into parks, greening roofs to reduce buildings’ energy use, and restoring degraded wetlands to prevent floods: nature-based solutions (NBS) are increasingly being implemented in urban areas to enhance resilience, support sustainable development, and safeguard biodiversity.
This briefing draws from examples in Germany and China to showcase the potential of NBS for urban areas, emphasizing their multiple social, environmental and economic benefits. These benefits include disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, urban renewal and the regeneration of neglected and degraded areas. This report was produced by ICLEI.
Learn more
World Bank Approves UrbanShift’s Local Project in China
One of nine GEF-funded country interventions, the UrbanShift China project aims to integrate biodiversity conservation, nature-based solutions and carbon neutrality into the development pathway of three participating cities.
Beating the Heat
This handbook was launched at COP26 and provides case studies from cities around the world that demonstrate how to sustainably tackle the urban heat island effect.
Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Cities
This working paper investigates the potential of nature-based solutions to help build smart, sustainable and resilient cities, drawing from the experience of G20 countries and beyond.
Flip the Script: Cities and Nature
The second UNEA Cities & Regions Summit showcased the multiple benefits of nature in cities for tackling the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, zooming in on local and global actions.
