Satoyama – the Japanese term for the border zone or area between mountain foothills and arable flat land – and wetlands are valuable ecosystems that are home to a diverse range of living organisms.
As we begin a pivotal year, many global north countries are facing elections and leadership changes, testing the world’s commitment to sustainable development. Last year, we witnessed several key global processes needing to continue into 2025 – like the biodiversity negotiations and the Plastics Treaty – or delivering a disappointing lack of ambition, such as the climate COP. Here are the ten things we’re watching for in 2025 regarding the global sustainability agendas.
Nestled in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, Overstrand Local Municipality is a relatively small coastal municipality spanning 1 708 km². Here, the biodiversity-rich areas include a 230 km coastline bordered by a towering mountain range and large tracts of natural vegetation, with globally significant plant diversity and uniqueness. Recognising the ecological value of…
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of nature in urban environments, providing solace and a sense of well-being during lockdowns. At the ICLEI World Congress, local and subnational governments, alongside WHO experts and NGOs, discussed the potential of Nature-based Solutions to address biodiversity loss and climate change while enhancing urban health.
Water challenges often exacerbate social inequalities. Examples from São Paulo, Puducherry, and Boulder showcase innovative practices such as data-driven decision-making, valuing natural water storage, and community engagement in water management.
CityTalk is Your Source for Urban Sustainability Stories Local actions driving global change WHAT’S TRENDING Living in harmony with nature and biodiversity Following the 16th Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) in Colombia in October 2024, negotiations will resume in Rome, Italy, from 25 to 27 February 2025 to finalize key agreements. Discussions will focus on biodiversity finance…
In Öresund, beneath the surface of the sea, hides northern Europe’s largest mussel bed. This 75 square kilometer area is covered with millions of mussels. However, the most impressive part isn’t the size of the bed, it’s the fact that the mussels act as natural filtering organisms, keeping the Öresund sea clean. Mussels provide us…
The uneven distribution of climate impacts between the Global North and South is irrefutable. As the Global South mobilizes to build the resilience of its communities, their primary tool is knowledge – and lots of it. Held at the Multilevel Action Pavilion, the session Time4MultilevelAction Dialogues: Global South showcased the knowledge products and services less…
While climate measures have sought to mitigate future climate change through reducing emission levels, efforts to adapt communities to harmful changes happening now have fallen short. Frustrated by the lethargy of national adaptation strategies, regions are employing all the tools in their power to build resilience. On Adaptation, Loss and Damage day at COP26, regional…
Subnational governments have found their home at the Multilevel Action Pavilion at COP26, a place for debate, knowledge exchange, and success stories of subnational climate action and collaboration. As the Pavilion’s motto “Time4MultilevelAction” suggests, collaboration between all levels of governments and different stakeholders must now become the new normal. That spirit was fully embodied by…
National climate plans from all over the world rolled in ahead of COP26, but as yet only one country’s plans are ambitious enough to meet all the Paris Agreement goals. The inclusion of subnational governments played a crucial part. The UNFCCC’s 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) in November is a critical summit for addressing…
The Daring Cities webinar on Healthy High Altitude Pasturelands for Sustainable Development in Downstream Cities focused on the importance of high altitude pasturelands. Watch here. The high altitude pastureland and forest ecosystems provide a wide array of ecosystem services (provisional, regulating, cultural, supporting). These ecosystem services are critical for sustainable urban development in cities downstream….