Importance of nature-based solutions from the ICLEI World Secretariat
Nature-based solutions are critical to sustainable urban development. There are inherent benefits to working with nature in ways that harness its natural services, from flood retention to pollution control to air quality improvements. It is therefore important that cities mainstream this approach in urban planning and design. From 9 to 11 December, local and subnational […]
Wetland Identification & Delineation Training: Western Cape, South Africa
On 22nd November 2016, the Department of Environmental Affairs: Working for Wetlands hosted a Wetland Delineation Training Course at Papenkuils Wetlands in Rawsonville, Western Cape. The training aimed to increase capacity of particularly the government sector within the Western Cape in recognizing wetland systems in order to improve government decision making around wetlands; particularly when commenting on […]
UPDATE: Building Capacity for the Subnational Implementation of NBSAPs
Building Capacity for the Subnational Implementation of NBSAPs, a project supported by the Japan Biodiversity Fund, is a collaboration between the ICLEI CBC and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD). The first phase of the project covered a very intensive engagement phase, where 30 countries and their subnational governments were consulted through […]
Ehlanzeni District Municipality: Moving towards sustainable wetlands
“Moving towards healthy, naturally functioning wetlands within Ehlanzeni District Municipality that are protected by all for the benefit of all.” As part of the LAB: Wetlands SA project, municipalities are embarking on the next phase of their projects. The Wetland Reports are in their final stages and now the municipalities are going into a […]
Overberg Wetland Strategy and Action Planning Workshop, South Africa
On 3rd and 4th October 2016, Overberg District Municipality (ODM) and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI Africa) co-hosted the “LAB: Wetlands SA: Overberg District Municipality Wetlands Strategy and Action Planning” Workshop in Bredasdorp as part of ODM’s involvement in the Local Action for Biodiversity: Wetlands South Africa (LAB: Wetlands SA) project. The workshop […]
Mayor of Calgary signs the Durban Commitment
In the fall of 2016, The City of Calgary signed the Durban Commitment, becoming the third Canadian city, alongside the City of Edmonton and the City of Montreal to formally join an international program directed by Local Action for Biodiversity, a program representing local governments from across the world to improve biodiversity planning and management. […]
5th Global Biodiversity Summit of Cities and Subnational Governments
The 5th Global Biodiversity Summit of Cities & Subnational Governments was held in Cancun, Mexico, as an official parallel event to the Convention on Biological Diversity’s 13th Conference of the Parties. The Summit saw participation from 73 countries, 90 distinguished panelists and speakers, over 700 registrations, and endorsed the Quintana Roo Communiqué on Mainstreaming Local and Subnational […]
ICLEI CBC at the IUCN World Conservation Congress
ICLEI’s Cities Biodiversity Center’s Kobie Brand represented ICLEI at the World Conservation Congress in Hawai’i, September 2016. We are particularly excited about motion 28, which recognizes the importance of mainstreaming the urban dimension into conservation initiatives. We applaud the IUCN on a successful congress with far-reaching motions and decisions and look forward to improving urban […]
Eden District Municipality WSAP Workshop, South Africa
On 23rd and 24th August 2016, Eden District Municipality (EDM) and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI Africa) co-hosted the “LAB: Wetlands SA: Eden District Municipality Wetlands Strategy and Action Planning (WSAP)” Workshop in George, South Africa. The workshop formed part of the Local Action for Biodiversity: Wetlands South Africa (LAB: Wetlands SA) project, […]
World Wetlands Day – 2 Feb 2016
In recognition of World Wetlands Day 2016, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability celebrates the cities and local governments making great strides in managing and conserving wetlands. The theme for 2016 is ‘Wetlands for our Future: Sustainable Livelihoods’, which recognises wetlands as sources of water, food and raw materials. Given that wetlands also provide natural […]