Leaders from Finland’s ten largest cities have made a significant commitment to halt biodiversity loss, marking a proactive stance in preserving nature amid growing urbanisation. The mayors have pledged to integrate concrete targets for biodiversity into their city strategies, aiming to protect parks, forests, and water areas.
As urban areas expand and development intensifies, local nature can suffer, potentially diminishing residents’ connection to Finland’s renowned natural beauty. To counter this, the ten cities, which collectively house about 2.4 millions of Finland’s 5.6 million residents, have vowed to work collaboratively towards preserving biodiversity. Their commitments will include specific actions aligned with the EU Nature Restoration Law, which aims to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.
The initiative follows Finland’s broader commitment to stop and reverse biodiversity loss within the same timeframe. The urban leaders’ pledge is a response to a global challenge, highlighted by Akanksha Khatri, Head of Nature and Biodiversity at the World Economic Forum (WEF). Speaking at the inaugural Urban Nature Forum in Tampere, Khatri emphasised the need for cities to take concrete actions to address the biodiversity crisis. Currently, only 37% of the world’s 500 largest cities have plans to improve their natural environments, and often these plans are not detailed.
Khatri underscored the critical importance of cities taking coordinated action, noting that more than 40% of global GDP is at risk due to biodiversity loss. “It is vital and strategically necessary that cities take coordinated action for nature given the climate, health, and infrastructure challenges in urban areas,” she said.
The Urban Nature Forum, which was held for the first time in Tampere, focused on reconciling urban development with biodiversity conservation and highlighted the role of nature in enhancing residents’ well-being.
The Finnish cities’ initiative aims to address these challenges by setting ambitious targets and creating detailed plans to safeguard their natural environments. This commitment not only aligns with national goals but also sets a precedent for other cities worldwide to follow suit in protecting and restoring nature.
For more details on the declaration by Finland’s cities and their plans for biodiversity, visit here.