4 October 2013: An assessment, titled ‘Cities and Biodiversity Outlook (CBO),’ underscores the need and the opportunity for cities to take ownership of critical ecosystem services to enhance biodiversity conservation and food security, in addition to reducing the overall ecological footprint of urban areas.

The assessment was developed by the Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC) with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in partnership with UN-Habitat and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. The detailed scientific foundation of the CBO, a report titled ‘Urbanization, Biodiversity and Ecosystem services: Challenges and Opportunities – A Global Assessment’ was also released. The reports coincide with the celebration of World Habitat Day.

The assessment presents ten key messages including: urbanization is both a challenge and an opportunity; rich biodiversity can exist in cities; urban biodiversity and ecosystems are critical natural capital; functional urban ecosystems can enhance human well-being; urban biodiversity and ecosystems can contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation; enhanced biodiversity and ecosystems can boost food and nutrition security; ecosystem services must be integrated into urban policy and planning; successful biodiversity management depends on a multi-sectorial, -scale and -stakeholder approach; cities offer a unique opportunity for learning about sustainability; and cities generate innovation and governance tools and must take the lead in sustainable development.

The publication also highlights successful initiatives by cities, local authorities and sub-national governments in both developed and developing countries, noting that there are strong incentives for all stakeholders to invest in natural solutions and to maintain vital ecosystem services. [Publication: Cities and Biodiversity Outlook] [UNEP Press Release] [CBD Press Release]