Cities4Forests

Latin America and the Caribbean are global leaders in renewable energy, with over 60% of their energy generation coming from renewable sources. Hydropower makes up around 45% of that renewable energy, with countries like Colombia and Costa Rica relying on hydropower for 64% and 65% of their energy respectively as of 2023. Hydropower is unfortunately also vulnerable to pressure from climate change, as drought and lower levels of rainfall impact water needed to generate electricity. As hydropower becomes a less stable source of energy, countries turn to fossil fuels to fill the gap. Read the latest article from WRI Colombia and Cities4Forests to learn more about how Nature- based Solutions (NBS) can help address the challenges posed by climate change and enhance the resilience of hydropower systems in Latin America and beyond: https://bit.ly/3Z3VhAS

Cities are responsible for more than 70% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change yet are often left out of the larger discussions around national climate commitments (#NDCs). Of 194 total NDCs looked at, only 27% included strong urban components. As NDC’s are a critical part of the Paris Agreement, the discussion around climate must also include a focus on urban areas. WRI Colombia, in partnership with the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities have written an article looking at the potential role of cities and subnational governments in contributing to global climate commitments and encouraging national governments to involve subnational actors in the design and implementation of climate change policies. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4fm7O9H En Espa?ol: https://bit.ly/3ACUSNH

Hear from our very own Laura Bulbena at #COP16Colombia on the importance of cities for biodiversity!

Arrived in Cali COP16 Colombia yesterday. And YES, Biodiversity needs immediate Solutions! Cities - where most of us live our lives - have an important role to reestablish a positive relationship with ????????????. And YES that is possible by: 1. Enhancing urban Forests and Green Space access and finance Nature Based Solutions 2. Watershed Conservation and Restoration 3. Drastically increase Clean Public Transportation and double down on Walking and Cycling for better Air Quality 4. Change behavior and consumption patterns of the urban population and grow the market for De-Forestation Free Commodities 5. Reduce solid waste and litter clogging waterways and contaminating habitats Have a look how almost 100 Cities working on it with Cities4Forests https://lnkd.in/ekswhSWW And have a look at finalists and winners of our #PrizeforCities that brought this into action: ????-??????????, ??????????????????, ???????????? https://lnkd.in/ensN9938 in-fortaleza-brazil ???????? ?????????? ?????????????????????? ??????????????, ?????????? https://lnkd.in/em7AxdSU ?????????? ???? ????????????, ???????????????? https://lnkd.in/erBNAmDn ?????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ?????? ?? ?????????????????? ??????????????, ?????????????????? https://lnkd.in/ewyxadvS ????????????’?? ?????????? ?????? ???????????????? ????????, ???? https://lnkd.in/efHGTRb3

Nature-based solutions can serve as an excellent complement to traditional infrastructure. Together, they can power economic growth and sustainable development for cities around the world. If you're at #COP16Colombia, mark your calendars for today at 1:15 GMT-5. The World Bank and African Development Bank Group will be hosting an event in the MDB Pavilion on how to accelerate nature-based solutions. The event will showcase several initiatives around the world that are leading the way to scale up adoption of these solutions. World Resources Institute's Crystal Davis will also share preliminary findings from our upcoming report. If you're unable to attend in person, the event will also be livestreamed here: https://lnkd.in/eSDWRSeb

I am in Bogotá which undergoes a period of extreme draught, jeopardizing critical water supply to over 10 million people in the Metro Region. Cities4Forests report from last year is more relevant than ever. Offering to the solution: upfront cost of targeting natural ecosystems -USD 5.3 Million-could generate USD 44.6 Million in water treatment cost savings while protecting and restoring nature. The path is clear for Bogotá and similar paths exist for other cities and regions in the world to address the global water crisis. Available in English and Spanish: https://lnkd.in/g6ZugPi3 Global Commission on the Economics of Water Henk Ovink COP16 Colombia World Resources Institute WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities Fernando Páez Todd Gartner Suzanne Ozment Conservation International Empresa de Acueducto y Alcantarillado de Bogotá Michael Berkowitz University of Miami Climate Resilience Institute Deltares Meike van Ginneken Stientje van Veldhoven

I look forward to visiting the City of Aalborg Kommune in Demark, for the Sustainable Cities and Towns conference this week. I will be presenting Cities4Forests' Sustainable Wood Hub for cities. The concept will help cities and local industry scale-up sustainable wood supply (and demand) -- for local products, like urban tree-to-timber, demolition timber, and international products like #conservationtimber and other well-managed forestry fiber. Participating cities will be able to join a global network of these hubs to share best practices, policy guidance and market leverage. Our goal is to add to the wave of innovation in bio-based, low carbon and forest-positive alternatives to "building as usual". Success will depend on many local actors, sawmills, foresters, and circularity entrepreneurs coming together to share resources and scale-up their climate positive businesses within the urban market. Staffan Schartner, David ?stby, Simone Mangili, Hardy Drakesk?r, Aaron Kaplan, Kristian J?rgensen, Hester Robertson, Paul Brannen, Paul King, Paul Hodgkiss, Martin Persson, Rania Dimou, PhD, Dr Emma Mellanie Morton, Ingrid Coetzee, Kobie Brand, Marco Allocco, Francesco Tresso, Luca Ballarini, Thais Linhares-Juvenal

The relationship between extreme heat and air pollution is deeply intertwined.??? Put simply, air pollution levels spike when temperatures rise, especially in cities where it's exacerbated by the urban heat island effect. High temperatures can lead to more frequent droughts and more intense wildfires, both of which increase particulate matter. On its own, air pollution can risk lives and livelihoods. But when coupled with extreme heat, the results can be even more deadly. But nature-based solutions such as urban tree cover and green infrastructure can be part of the solution, cooling cities and absorbing air pollutants all at once. ?? Learn more about this growing threat to public health from World Resources Institute and World Resources Institute México ??: https://bit.ly/47p6csC

Congrats to Re-Ciclo for winning this year's #PrizeforCities! Learn more about the winning project and the other finalists from the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities: https://bit.ly/4cvfBjW

As Todd Gartner points out, forests provide us with crucial ecosystem services. They are part of – not separate from – the infrastructure that supports modern life. To make a business case for this value, we must be able to measure it accurately. So how can we quantify nature's impact? ?? World Resources Institute's Global Forest Watch tool tracks the health of forests around the world in real-time. This data be used to set science-based targets for companies and governments while also expediting market development. ?? Visit our digital hub to watch Todd's extended interview: https://lnkd.in/efG2Fm4H Cities4Forests?