Ecosystem services (supporting, provisioning, regulating and cultural) are central to human existence, yet they are increasingly threatened by human actions in the water, on the ground and in the air. Climate change now increases the pressures on these cornerstones of life, especially in densely populated human settlements where the natural environment is non-existent or highly degraded: cities. So how can we protect, restore and fund nature in cities while responding to the negative impacts of climate change?
Urban Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) is a fundamental step in the right direction.
Protecting and restoring biodiversity and ecosystems in urban contexts, whilst altruistic in itself, is also a critical part of sustainable development and can, and must, play a central role in climate change adaptation strategies and plans. With over 54 percent of the world’s population living in urban areas and expected to increase to 66 per cent by 2050, adaptation in urban areas must be a top societal priority.
So how do we “do” Urban EbA?
Join the Friends of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (FEBA), PlanAdapt and the Green-Grey Infrastructure Community of Practice in marking World Cities Day. Together, we will explore EbA as an approach to climate adaptation in urban contexts by sharing case studies from FEBA's Urban EbA working group.