Nature-based solutions can help cities become more resilient, healthy and equitable. But for urban nature to reach its full potential, investments need to be substantially scaled up. In 2020, nature-based solutions (NbS) received just 0.3% of overall spending on urban infrastructure, and investments are unequally distributed across and within cities.
To take stock of urban NbS investments, UNEP and the Penn Institute for Urban Research developed the State of Finance for Nature in Cities: Summary for Local Policymakers. The publication outlines gaps and opportunities for NbS financing in cities, best practices from around the world, and actions that local governments, financial stakeholders, private sector and knowledge partners can take to scale up investments for nature in cities.
