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Nature, biodiversity and health
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 connection and nature-based therapies
Nature’s contributions to people
Urban nature-based solutions
Ecosystem restoration
Psychological resilience and mental health
Climate-health interventions
Mainstreaming biodiversity and ecosystem services into multi-level decision making
Local biodiversity action for nature positive development
Climate resilient health systems
Human rights based approach
The team
Ingrid Coetzee
Director: Biodiversity, Nature & Health
Heidi Albert
Head: ICLEI Cities Health Center
Dr Heidi Albert is a global health leader with over 25 years of experience, predominantly in Africa and Asia. Passionate about data-driven systems thinking and locally-driven solutions, she has led programmes to increase equitable access to essential services. Her work is grounded in strong partnerships with governments, donors, and local and global organisations to ensure solutions are relevant and sustainable. Heidi has a Master’s in Public Health and a PhD in Pharmacy/Microbiology. She joins ICLEI as Head of the One Health Cities Centre based in Cape Town, where she will work collaboratively to address holistic determinants of health and wellbeing, recognising the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health in the urban environment.
Jade Sullivan
Professional Officer: Biodiversity, Nature & Health
Ivana Del Rio Benitez Landa
Professional Officer: Biodiversity Advocacy & International Liaison
Ivana has a Double Bachelor Degree in Political Science and International Relations from the Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP). She has four years of experience in sustainable development policy, project management and environmental advocacy at the local level. She actively participates in research and innovation for the analysis of public policies that contributes to social change. She has a passion for work related to nature-based solutions, climate change, multilevel governance, activism and gender mainstreaming.
Workstream resources
10 urban risk factors influencing health in African cities
City of Johannesburg Goods and Services Assessment
Nature-Based Solutions for African Cities: The Human Rights-Based Approach
5 strategies to integrate nature into urban planning for resilient African cities
Our Cities, Our Commitment, Our Future!
Urban greening in Dodoma, Tanzania | INTERACT-Bio project
Workstream projects
Promoting the circular economy through textiles
Embedding urban natural assets into local governance
Water Security Strategy for Johannesburg
Workstream news updates
2 April 2026
World Health Day 2026: Designing healthy cities to achieve Universal Health Coverage
5 September 2025
ICLEI Africa turns 30: Decades of partnerships, progress and purpose
