Welcome to the Cities and Regions summit ahead of the sixth UN Environment Assembly, or UNEA-6. My thanks to the summit’s partners: UN-Habitat, C40 Cities, ICLEI, the World Resources Institute, and many others, including Bloomberg Philanthropies and UNDP.
This summit has been a recurring feature at environment assemblies, for good reason. Cities hold immense gravity. They pull people in with the promise of opportunities, of services, of healthcare. This gravity is growing stronger. More than half of us live in urban areas, soon to be over two-thirds. This means that how we build, manage and live in our cities is a key determinant of the sustainability our species, this planet and every creature that lives on it.
Right now, cities are the biggest drivers of the triple planetary crisis: the crisis of climate change, the crisis of biodiversity loss, and the crisis of pollution and waste. They consume the lion’s share of energy, food and resources, giving back around 70 per cent of CO2 emissions and over 50 per cent of global waste. The chickens come home to roost in the form of extreme heat, water scarcity and devastating storms. Coastal cities, of course, face specific challenges from sea-level rise and inundations. And when cities lose their nature and biodiversity, the become less attractive to live in. Nobody wants to live in a concrete jungle.
But the gravity of cities means they are where great minds congregate and make innovation happen. Cities can implement climate and nature-based solutions at scale. Small changes at the policy level can cascade across tens of millions of people. This is why local and subnational governments are so important. You are local leaders, closer to the people. You have not just the care of the people, but the care of the environment, in your mandate. It is so good to see this forum give you a voice.
Read more at the UNEP website.
About GenerationRestoration Cities
Generation Restoration Cities is a global initiative dedicated to reviving urban areas. The movement of over 20 UN-awarded cities focuses on restoring forests, wetlands, and waterways in cities to improve resilience and biodiversity. By promoting collaboration across sectors and regions, it aims to create healthier and greener urban spaces. Generation Restoration Cities contribute to combating climate change and preserving ecosystems for future generations.