In 2014, around 55% of the global population was living in urban environments. This marks a historical moment, as it is the first year in which cities count for a higher share of inhabitants than rural areas. As demographics predict this percentage to keep increasing in the future, more and more attention is drawn on how to make cities sustainable while protecting nature and preventing loss and damage to the ecosystems we depend on.
In this context, urban planning evolves to incorporate nature as both something to be protected because of its intrinsic value, but also as a solution to present and future challenges in the built environment. Ecosystem services provided by nature in the cities become valuable resources to regulate temperature, air quality, and water balance, while at the same time contributing to the aesthetic identity of the location and to recreational opportunities for its inhabitants and tourists.
Among the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations Agenda 2030, SDG 11 “Sustainable Cities and Communities” is the one embodying the concept of integrating nature and urban management as one. The SDG´s targets prescribe, among other things, “universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces”, as well as the implementation of “integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters”, often achieved by smart nature-based solutions.
“We know that we can achieve more together than separately and will strive to make the most of our collaboration as we implement solutions for people and the planet.
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In this context, ICLEI, TNC and IUCN, along with supporting bodies such as the CBD and other international partners, founded CitiesWithNature, a unique initiative promoting and strenghtening the value of nature in and around cities across the world.
The Foundation for Environmental Education and ICLEI have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) acknowledging their common goals (especially in light of FEE´s GAIA 20:30 strategy), as well as establishing common actions to endorse sustainability across both networks. In particular, as the Blue Flag programme is present in thousands of municipalities across the world with its award for beaches, marinas and tourism boats, the partnership becomes an exceptional opportunity to spread best practices and invite new cities to take an active stance in the green transition.
At the same time, CitiesWithNature recognises the Blue Flag programme and other FEE programmes as virtuous examples supporting education for sustainable development (ESD) and sustainable tourism. Indeed, the Blue Flag criteria call for integrated management of sensitive natural areas, as well as for education delivered to tourists and local communities about the value that the environment has for human health and welfare.
“We are so pleased to welcome the highly respected global Blue Flag programme into the CitiesWithNature initiative, demonstrating our shared commitment to work with subnational and local governments in coastal cities to ensure that we live, act and plan with nature. This partnership provides a unique opportunity for urban communities and their governments to rise to the challenge and take ownership of our precious shores, committing to renewed action as part of this important Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
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