Green infrastructure: the urban dimension Chantal van Ham EU Programme Officer IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature International Union for Conservation of Nature International Union for Conservation of Nature • Network of more than 1,200 member organizations (including 200+ government and 900+ NGOs) • Six Commissions uniting 10,000 volunteer experts who assess the state of the world’s natural resources and provide the Union with sound know- how and policy advice on conservation issues • Natural Capital Protocol: IUCN will develop guidance for measuring and valuing natural capital in business decision-making • World Parks Congress: Sydney, 12-19 November 2014. Landmark global forum on protected areas International Union for Conservation of Nature Three-year project to bridge the knowledge gap on the links between urbanisation, ecosystem services and biodiversity. Main aims: Address scientific knowledge gaps • Contribute to building capacity • Create innovative ways of integrating monetary and non-monetary valuation techniques in urban landscapes • Develop professional communication and training program for cities • Actively contribute to international policy mechanisms and global partnerships International Union for Conservation of Nature URBES Research • Stewardship of green infrastructure and urban ecosystem services • Non-monetary assessment of ecosystem services • Urban ecosystem services for resilience planning and management • Contribution of ecosystem services to air quality and climate change mitigation policies • Assessment of soil sealing management responses International Union for Conservation of Nature Bridging the gap between science, policy and practice International Union for Conservation of Nature Green infrastructure should operate at all spatial scales - urban areas • Green spaces provide cities with multiple economic, health and social benefits • Decentralisation and devolution of powers & ‘localised’ nature of biodiversity policy - local and regional authorities play a crucial role • EU Biodiversity Strategy and CBD decision X/22 • Integrated spatial planning of green infrastructure to improve landscape connectivity • Engagement of experts during the early stages of development International Union for Conservation of Nature Biodiversity in cities Brussels - is home to > 50% of floral species in Belgium Île de France - 10,000 animal and 1,500 plant species Cape Town - 9,600 species of indigenous plants Hong Kong - 40% protected areas Brazil – 100 mln people in Mata Atlantica Manila - Recent discovery of new species of water beetle (Hydraena ateneo) in the heart of a city with a population of nearly 12 million International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN and Nature-Based Solutions • IUCN pioneered nature-based solutions (NBS) at the UN climate negotiations • NBS play a vital role in mitigating and adapting to climate change, securing water, food and energy supplies, reducing poverty and driving economic development • IUCN works with governments, the private sector and communities to put science and knowledge into practice - restoring forests, rivers and wetlands, and bringing our oceans back to life International Union for Conservation of Nature Green space strategy International Union for Conservation of Nature Examples of Nature Based Solutions and their Benefits International Union for Conservation of Nature Mayesbrook Park, London • Partnership of public and private organizations • Challenges addressed: Climate change - flooding, higher temperatures • Biodiversity/community benefits: New floodplain to store floodwater, enhanced habitats, cultural services • Cost effective: More than €1 million gross annual benefit delivered by ecosystem services Lifetime benefit-to-cost ratio 7:1 International Union for Conservation of Nature Conservation trust fund for the provision of drinking water • 8-million residents of Bogota obtain water from Chingaza and Sumapaz national parks • Creation of trust fund to attract voluntary contributions from Bogotá's water treatment facilities to subsidize conservation projects • Benefits for people and nature: Water treatment facilities in Bogotá could save $4 million per year by investing in watershed protection International Union for Conservation of Nature Greening Brownfield Sites - Gleisdreieck, Berlin • Former railway site became a wasteland at the end of WWII • Started to develop rich, diverse vegetation • Formation of citizen’s group, strong public involvement - Creation of park connecting green areas of the government quarter and Potsdamer Platz, and extending into nature park in the South - total area of 26 hectares International Union for Conservation of Nature Economic Benefits of Green Infrastructure in Scotland International Union for Conservation of Nature Strengthen our efforts for green infrastructure implementation Improve the knowledge base: Enhance the evidence base, awareness raising and capacity building, training and information exchange are essential Recognize prosperity in nature: Nature's benefits are currently not making it to the balance sheet Quantify, map and assess ecosystem services at local and regional level Tailor communication strategies to different stakeholder groups Funding not only for the initial design and development, but also for continued maintenance and improvements Ensure strong policy frameworks International Union for Conservation of Nature Thank you ! In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught. - Baba Dioum International Union for Conservation of Nature.