In the framework of the BiodivERsA-supported project, URBES, a fact-sheet has been prepared, entitled, Biodiversity and ecosystem services: the foundation for human health and well-being. More»

Season’s greetings from the ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Center! We are pleased to announce our latest newsletter covering some important events that have occurred over the past few months. Along with other exciting news, we take a look at key highlights of the 11th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Hyderabad, India at some of the outcomes that will shape our future endeavors. More»

The City of Kaohsiung, who has joined the Local Action for Biodiversity (LAB) program and URBIS initiative, recently hosted an International Conference on Local Action for Biodiversity. More»

“Natural Solutions for Urban Areas in Europe”provided a good overview of European initiatives aimed at the protection and restoration of biodiversity and natural ecosystems and services in urban areas. More»

The Jerusalem Municipality was selected recipient of the 2012 Society for the Protection of Nature (SPNI) award for nature conservation and environmental protection. More»

Urbanization is fundamentally changing the nature of our planet. With the expected doubling in size of the world's urban areas by 2030, a new group of actors are coming forward: local and sub-national authorities. More»

A look back at the recent UN CBD COP11 and Cities for Life Summit held in Hyderabad, India and the important outcomes these events generated. More»

Close to 500 participants, including approximately 220 local government representatives from 47 countries, covering every major region of the world attended the knowledge-packed city and sub-national biodiversity summit, Cities for Life, held in parallel with the CBD COP 11 on 15 and 16 October in Hyderabad, India. Read more here.

Mr Bakary Kante - Director, Division of Environmental Law and Conventions (DELC), charged with carrying out the functions of United Nations Environmental Programme - said during the launch of the Cities and Biodiversity Outlook Report at the on-going COP 11 in Hyderabad, India, “We cannot stop the growth of cities but we can make the cities more environmentally friendly for our survival and the action is now.” More»

The Cities for Life Summit, which launched on 15 October, 2012, was marked by a momentous occasion: the signing of an MoU between ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity. More»

Ville de Grande-Synthe has become the latest signatory to the Durban Commitment. More»

Representatives from over 170 countries today begandeliberations in Hyderabad, India, on the way forward to protect the planet’s biodiversity. More»

Metropolitan areas in Europe have seen many new initiatives implemented with the goal of reducing biodiversity loss by increasing the role that nature plays, informing citizens and stopping the encroachment of urban development on natural zones. More»

The City of Edmonton, a remarkable LAB Pioneer city, has been honored by the Government of Alberta, with the 2012 Minister’s Award for Municipal Excellence. More»

In close view of the 11th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP11) and the associated Cities for Life Summit, ICLEI is recommending a "Local Government Roadmap through COP11" comprising a selection of relevant events handpicked for comprising explicit foci on urban and local government issues. View here for the timetable and event details.

At the international conference Resilience 2008, which gathered more than 600 leading scientists, business leaders and politicians in Stockholm, Sweden, I was struck by the Changing Matters art exhibit that explored resilience themes. More»