Cities occupy only three per cent of the Earth’s land surface, but they are home to more than half its people. As they grow, cities transform the natural world around them and can have devastating impacts on natural ecosystems, if left unchecked. Today, urban areas consume 75 per cent of global resource and energy use, produce more than half of the planet’s waste and at least 60 per cent of its greenhouse gas emissions.
Although they have become hotspots of ecological disruption, cities are also vital hubs of innovation. By virtue of concentration, cities are where solutions can reach millions. Nature and climate action in cities can have a far-reaching impact.
To mark World Environment Day, which this year focuses on restoring land, halting desertification and building drought resilience, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announces six new pilot projects that joined the Generation Restoration Cities cohort of 22 cities. They are Mendoza in Argentina, Curitiba in Brazil, Barranquilla in Colombia, Kisumu in Kenya, Overstrand in South Africa and Istanbul in Türkiye.
The Generation Restoration cities project (2023-25), conceived as a contribution to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement, aim to empower urban stakeholders across the globe to replicate and scale-up ecosystem restoration initiatives through nature-based solutions (NbS).
Drought and desertification are threatening ecosystems around the world, including freshwater ecosystems and soil, the connective tissue that makes all life on Earth possible. Over 40 per cent of the world's landis degraded, affecting half the population and exacerbating extreme temperatures resulting from climate change. The six new pilot cities aim to combat this decline:
- Mendoza in Argentina is leading environmental stewardship by restoring native forests and empowering communities through ecological corridors.
- Curitiba in Brazil is creating an integrated urban plan to link biodiversity preservation and climate action in the city.
- Barranquilla in Colombia is revitalizing the Leon Creek through sustainability strategies to improve water quality, biodiversity, and services to local populations.
- Kisumu in Kenya seeks to restore biodiversity hotspots along the Auji River to improve livelihoods and enhance community well-being.
- Overstrand in South Africa aims to restore a precious wetland by rehabilitating the Onrus River catchment corridor.
- Istanbul in Türkiye aims to strengthen its ecological corridors to connect green spaces and support pollinators.
With these additions, UNEP’s Generation Restoration Cities now counts 14 pilot projects. The eight initial pilots are: Sirajganj in Bangladesh, Manaus in Brazil, Douala IV in Cameroon, Samborondón in Ecuador, Kochi in India, Mexico City in Mexico, Quezon City in the Philippines, and Dakar in Senegal.
“As we come close to the milestone of submission of new Nationally Determined Contributions in February 2025, cities and sub-national governments play a critical role in raising ambition and implementing actions”, said Mirey Atallah, Chief of Adaptation and Resilience Branch at UNEP. “Generation Restoration cities demonstrate that in the real world, solutions for climate, nature and pollution come together. We welcome these courageous cities which showcase that we can thrive in a restored environment”.
The benefits of nature-based solutions to urban ecosystems include enhancing biodiversity, reducing local temperatures, building resilience to erosion and sea level rise, improving air and water quality, strengthening community cohesion and life quality, improving food supply and security, creating green jobs and economic opportunities.
From revitalizing urban rivers, watersheds and other freshwater ecosystems in Brazil, Colombia, India and Kenya, giving new life to mangrove forests in Cameroon and Ecuador, to designing greenbelts and corridors in Argentina and Senegal, each of these “pilot cities” is undertaking unique restoration projects tailored to their local context. They demonstrate the value of “ordinary” nature, critical to ecoservices we rely on. They are also being mentored by a growing number of “Role Model cities”, acting as restoration champions with successful track-records in implementing nature-based solutions.
"As a local government, we have a historic opportunity to advance ecological restoration policies to address climate change impacts,” said Ulpiano Suárez, Mayor of Mendoza in Argentina. “Ecosystem restoration improves urban ecosystems’ health, contributes to improving air and water quality, provides natural resources, and enhances the overall well-being of local communities. Mendoza is leading environmental stewardship by restoring native arid ecosystems and empowering communities through ecological corridors. Through this, we wish to promote biodiversity and align with the Mendoza Resilient City 2030 Plan's goals.”
For more information contact:
Sharon Gil, Programme Management Officer, Cities Unit, UNEP, at sharon.gil[at]un.org
Irene Fagotto, Project Manager, Generation Restoration, UNEP, at irene.fagotto[at]un.org
