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WCC 2012 Res 006 - Activity Report

Submitted by vanhamc on Thu, 09/03/2015 - 18:22
General Information
Cooperation with local and regional government authorities in the implementation of the IUCN Programme 20132016
IUCN Constituent: 
Headquarters
IUCN Constituent type: 
IUCN Secretariat
Period covered: 
2015
Geographic scope: 
European Union (EU)
In implementing this Resolution your organization has worked/consulted with...
IUCN Members: 
72CE514B-B8A3-E011-96D3-002655853524
IUCN Commissions: 
IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas 2013-2016 (WCPA)
IUCN Secretariat: 
Yes
Other non-IUCN related organisations: 
URBIS - Urban Biosphere Initiative, URBIO - Network for Urban Biodiversity and Design, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm, Berlin, Rotterdam, Barcelona, Salzburg, European Commission
Implementation
Indicate and briefly describe any actions that have been carried out to implement this Resolution: 
ActionDescription
Capacity-buildingThe Urban Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (URBES) project that IUCN was a partner of aimed to increase the scientific knowledge and bridge the gap between scientists, policy-makers, experts and practitioners on the role of urban biodiversity and ecosystem services for human well-being. Focus has been on urban areas, urbanization trends, biodiversity and ecosystem services Special attention...
Convene stakeholders/NetworkingIUCN Brussels hosted a meeting with representatives of European regions to discuss opportunities for collaboration to promote ecosystem services and nature based solutions within regional sustainable development strategies, and to find ways for IUCN to support inter-regional collaboration.
Policy influencing/advocacyIUCN has been actively involved in the science-policy interface to raise the visibility of the value of nature in an urban context, through factsheets, presentations at various conferences and videos
Please report on the result /achievement of the actions taken: 
Effective conservation cannot be confined to remote and pristine natural areas, but should take a holistic view and include all relevant actors. Many decisions which affect biodiversity are taken at the local and subnational level. These levels of government are often responsible for significant tracts of nature and play an important role in achieving the national and international biodiversity targets.

The growing urban population has a large impact on biodiversity, but at the same time represents opportunities for connecting people with nature. The services biodiversity and ecosystem services provide to cities and urbanized regions are essential for citizen’s quality of life and can provide solutions for challenges such as water and energy supply, air pollution, natural disasters and climate change.

The IUCN European Regional Office will continue to strengthen the network to engage subnational governments in working towards upscaling nature-based solutions.
What challenges have you encountered in implementing this Resolution and what measures have you taken to overcome them?: 
Both the European Commission and European Foundations will be approached to mobilise funding for strengthening the engagement of local and regional governments
Identify and briefly describe what future actions are planned for the implementation of this Resolution: 
Future ActionDescription
Education/Communication/Raising awareness• Provide expertise, guidance, best practices and examples to integrate nature’s values in urban and regional planning and promote the implementation of nature-based solutions for local and regional governments
Fundraising•In partnership with a selected group of cities, local or regional governments, demonstrate the potential of nature-based solutions, especially in cooperation with the European Commission, DG Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 programme which will invest in nature-based solutions
Scientific/technical activities• Assessment of the benefits of ecosystem services at local and regional level can improve decision-making and strengthen investment in nature-based solutions
Additional Information
Upload document: 
File Overview current activities - cooperation with local and regional governments February 2015.docx
External link(s): 
MoU with ICLEI