Date: 20 November 2024
Time: 13:00 - 14:30 AZT
Location: Blue Zone, Hirkan room, Baku, Azerbaijan
This is an official event of the UN Azerbaijan-Pavilion of the UNFCCC COP29.
Organizer: UNEP, WHO, UNHabitat, World Meteorological Organization
Description: The interconnected crises of climate change, land degradation, and biodiversity loss threaten food security, clean water, and climate regulation. With global warming likely to exceed 1.5°C within the next decade, urgent adaptation is required in human settlements, focusing on ecosystem protection and restoration for planetary and human health.
Urban areas, though covering just 3% of Earth's surface, house over half the global population, with this proportion expected to rise to 68% by 2050, particularly in Africa and Asia. This urban expansion pressures ecosystems and agriculture, driving unsustainable food systems responsible for 21-37% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Cities are also increasingly vulnerable to climate impacts, like extreme heat, disproportionately affecting poorer populations.
Nature-based solutions (NbS), such as urban agriculture, offer opportunities to address these challenges by integrating ecosystems into urban planning. NbS enhance urban resilience, reduce adaptation costs, promote sustainable food production, and support public health. Collaboration across national and local governments is essential to scale NbS, align policies, and address environmental and socio-economic goals.
This High-Level Roundtable will explore NbS's role in tackling climate and biodiversity challenges while improving food security and urban health. It will feature discussions on best practices for integrating NbS into urban planning through multi-level governance and inclusive approaches.
