As urbanisation increases, so do the opportunities to improve food security, reduce water scarcity and curb climate change, according to the first global assessment regarding urbanisation and biodiversity loss made in New York.
The Cities and Biodiversity Outlook (CBO) assessment argues that there are many innovative ways in which cities can combat climate change.
The research is produced by Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC) together with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in partnership with UN-Habitat and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.
The assessment enforces the notion that developing and incorporating already existing green spaces within the city, is important in the development of biodiversity.
Preservation of green areas such as green roofs, “brownfields”, or land previously used for industrial or commercial purposes can be used as carbon sinks rather than emission sources.
This can be seen in Yokohama, a Japanese district, which previously emitted almost 20 million tonnes of CO2 in 2007.
Yet now through conserving green areas (roof tops and walls fitted with greenery), the district aims to reduce carbon emissions per capita by at least 60 per cent by 2050.
“The innovation lies not so much in developing new infrastructural technologies but to work with what we already have.
“The results are often far cheaper and more sustainable as well,” said Professor Thomas Elmqvist, scientific editor of the assessment.
However, “Cities need to learn how to better protect and enhance biodiversity, because there is a direct relationship between biodiversity and food security in cities,” Professor Elmqvist said.
Professor Elmqvist argues that the development of urban food systems needs to be considered on a local, city scale, though needs to come with proper legislation, training and financial support or economic incentives. Otherwise, sustainable food systems in urban areas remain on paper only.
For additional information about the CBO assessment, visit www.cbobook.org.
