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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

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
The value of wetlands for cities
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The value of wetlands for cities

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Posters & infographics
Addressing Informality for equitable urban resilience
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Addressing Informality for equitable urban resilience

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Posters & infographics

Workstream projects

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.
Protecting coastal zones as urban natural assets
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Completed

Protecting coastal zones as urban natural assets

The UNA Coasts project supports local governments in coastal African cities to protect and revitalise their urban natural assets.

Workstream news updates

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

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

ICLEI Africa mid-year news roundup 2024
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Newsletters
5 June 2024

ICLEI Africa mid-year news roundup 2024

Solve, fail, reflect: Insights from RISE Africa 2024 Action Festival
4 June 2024

Solve, fail, reflect: Insights from RISE Africa 2024 Action Festival