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Nature, biodiversity and health

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ABOUT

ICLEI Africa’s Biodiversity, Nature and Health team focuses on supporting African cities by mainstreaming biodiversity into urban processes and decision-making. Our cities and regions improve human health and well-being by connecting urban communities with nature.

Africa has a very rich biodiversity, comprising approximately a quarter of global biodiversity, and including eight of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots. While there are many biodiversity conservation and innovations successes in Africa, its biodiversity is threatened by a diverse range of complex issues, which create immense challenges in reconciling human wellbeing with environmental and economic prosperity.

Supporting local leaders to apply sustainable governance practices and advocate for multilevel governance in the negotiation and implementation of the United Nations Conventions also forms an important part of this workstream’s role as they work towards ensuring a sustainable urban future in harmony with nature.

This workstream covers:

Local biodiversity action for nature positive development

Biodiversity finance

Nature’s contributions to people

Urban nature-based solutions

Ecosystem restoration

Local biodiversity action for nature positive development

Mainstreaming biodiversity and ecosystem services into multi-level decision making

Human rights based approach

The team

Due to the broad portfolio of this workstream, the Urban Systems Centre is comprised of a diverse, dynamic team of professionals ranging from planners, engineers, social scientists, food systems and transport experts to water sanitation professionals, circularity specialists, and human rights and legal experts.

Workstream resources

City of Johannesburg Goods and Services Assessment
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City of Johannesburg Goods and Services Assessment

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Publications & reports
Nature-Based Solutions for African Cities: The Human Rights-Based Approach
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Nature-Based Solutions for African Cities: The Human Rights-Based Approach

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Webinars & videos
5 strategies to integrate nature into urban planning for resilient African cities
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5 strategies to integrate nature into urban planning for resilient African cities

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Publications & reports
Our Cities, Our Commitment, Our Future!
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Our Cities, Our Commitment, Our Future!

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Webinars & videos
Urban greening in Dodoma, Tanzania | INTERACT-Bio project
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Urban greening in Dodoma, Tanzania | INTERACT-Bio project

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Webinars & videos
5 Approaches to integrate nature into urban planning for resilient African cities
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5 Approaches to integrate nature into urban planning for resilient African cities

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Posters & infographics

Workstream projects

Promoting the circular economy through textiles

Promoting the circular economy through textiles

Analysing Ethiopia, Lesotho, Madagascar and South Africa's textile sectors to promote economically and socially beneficial CE interventions
Building resilience through urban natural assets

Building resilience through urban natural assets

We support local governments in Africa to integrate nature-based solutions into land use planning for increased resilience.
Water Security Strategy for Johannesburg
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Completed

Water Security Strategy for Johannesburg

We co-developed the Water Security Strategy for the City of Johannesburg by defining challenges and designing remedial strategic responses.

Workstream news updates

Five key action areas for cities to join the global movement to protect wetlands
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News
2 February 2025

Five key action areas for cities to join the global movement to protect wetlands

Mainstreaming nature-based solutions within urban planning
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News
3 December 2024

Mainstreaming nature-based solutions within urban planning

Nature's lifeline: Young people are shaping sustainable African cities
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forum
News
14 August 2024

Nature's lifeline: Young people are shaping sustainable African cities

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