ICLEI Global has appointed Mayor Valérie Plante of Montréal as ICLEI’s first Global Ambassador on Local Biodiversity. The science is in - it’s not too late to regenerate biodiversity. The latest report from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services latest report explains this is possible with action from all levels of governance. To help achieve this, Mayor Plante is calling on Mayors around the world to join her in igniting a global wave of action in cities, towns and regions to plan with, conserve and restore nature.

“Now is the time for urgent action. Nature underpins our very existence and livelihoods and is integral to the effective functioning and well-being of urban communities,” said Mayor Plante.

CitiesWithNature is a rapidly growing platform for cities and regions to connect, learn, act and inspire one another to design, plan and work with nature; demonstrate what they are doing to restore connections with nature and pledge their local actions and commitments to protecting nature.

“Collective action at the local level is our best hope for seeing the change needed at a global scale. It is crucial that the voices of urban communities are heard in the negotiations on a new deal for nature leading up to and following the Convention on Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties in China in 2020.” said Mayor Plante.

Local governments in Oceania can also be part of the global regeneration by joining CitiesWithNature. The platform provides helpful tools, supports and connects neighbouring councils to amplify local action into global impacts.

About

CitiesWithNature provides a shard platform for cities and their partners to engage and connect, working with a shared commitment towards a more sustainable urban world. To deliver CitiesWithNature ICLEI has partnered with the IUCN, The Nature Conservancy, World Urban Parks, the Biophilic Cities Network, WWF and other organisations. Governments already a part of CitiesWithNature include Melbourne, Rajshahi, Thimphu, Kochi, Dar es Salaam, Cape Town, Nadi, Honiara, Londrina, and many more on all continents.

For the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services report summary click here

For more on the Convention on Biological Diversity click here

Written by Zoe Goodman, Intern at ICLEI Oceania