Global Urbanization, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services – Challenges and Opportunities

This project has the aim to complete and finalize a large global initiative in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Convention of Biological Diversity (SCBD). The project has a UN-mandate and will result in an output of two products:  the Cities and Biodiversity Outlook – Action and Policy and CBOI – Scientific assessments and analyses (see http://www.cbd.int/authorities/cbo1.shtml). Drawing on contributions from scientists and policy-makers from around the world the publications will serve as the first comprehensive global synthesis of how urbanization affects biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine systems. In addition, they address how urban and peri-urban biodiversity and ecosystems can be used and created in innovative ways to reduce vulnerability in cities and enhance natural capital and resilience, and how cities can move from being just consumers to also generate multiple ecosystem services and reduce footprints—thus redefining the function of cities.