Co-organized by ICLEI’s Cities Biodiversity Center (CBC) and Regions4, as one of the COP30 Action Agenda Events -under axis 2: Stewarding Forests, Oceans, and Biodiversity-, this insightful session explored how local and subnational governments are effectively bridging the climate, biodiversity, and land restoration agendas to move from ambition to measurable results.
Key discussion points and takeaways from the session included:
- Subnational relevance to global frameworks: Speakers discussed the critical role of local and regional governments in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), emphasizing the direct relevance of the Global Biodiversity Stocktake and national reporting processes to subnational action.
- The session highlighted the importance of UN-recognized platforms, CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature, which serve as official commitment and reporting platforms for cities and regions for the KMGBF (Decision 15/12). These free platforms enable subnational governments to: Showcase their commitments to nature-based actions, track progress directly aligned with the KMGBF, and connect and collaborate with a global network of peers.
- Fostering adaptation and learning: Attention was also drawn to the RegionsAdapt network and its Case Study Database, which connect regional climate adaptation experiences to global processes and foster crucial peer-to-peer learning and mutual reinforcement.
- Real-world impact illustrated: Concrete case studies demonstrated success in integrated action from various regions:
- The Gauteng Government (South Africa) shared its work on integrated action through the Resilient Kaalspruit Catchment Programme.
- The City of Malmö (Sweden) detailed its ongoing local biodiversity and climate action initiatives, including providing habitats for migratory species.
- The State of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) discussed its advances in multilevel governance for nature-based solutions and climate adaptation.
The session successfully underlined that the momentum for integrated action is growing, and cities and regions are truly at the heart of global change for climate and nature.
“Over the past few days, we’ve heard so many powerful stories and creative ideas. All of them remind us of one simple truth: cities and subnational governments are not just partners in global goals. They are true drivers of change. Initiatives like RegionsWithNature show us that climate and nature go hand in hand. Let’s make our contributions visible in the global biodiversity agenda through the RegionsWithNature platform. The CBD will use this information to show the world what local and regional governments are doing to support the Global Biodiversity Framework. … let’s make sure our work is counted. Because visibility matters. Recognition matters. It shows that subnational action is not secondary, but central to global success.” – Jean Lemire, Envoy for Climate Change, Northern and Arctic Affairs, Government of Québec.
“Let’s carry forward the momentum… by continuing to collaborate through CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature, — ensuring that local and regional voices remain at the heart of global action for climate and biodiversity and that their actions are counted in the Global Biodiversity Stocktake that will be reported on at Biodiversity COP17 next year in Yerevan.” – Ingrid Coetzee, Director, Biodiversity and Health, ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Centre.
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