World's cities and regions unite in call for more involvement and cooperation to halt global biodiversity loss

(ET/EPP), Member of Keila Rural Municipality Assembly, joined over 600 representatives from local, regional and national governments from across the globe in South Korea to explore ways on how to halt biodiversity loss and deliver the Strategic Plan of the CBD (2011-2020) and its Aichi Targets. Taking part in the Biodiversity Summit for Cities and Subnational Governments , Kadri Tillemann reinforced the Committee's position to improve cooperation with local and sub-national governments.

Organised by Local Governments for Sustainability and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the event was being organised in parallel to the 12 th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP12) also taking place in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Participants covered a range of different topics including linking biodiversity with sustainable development and the green economy, biodiversity planning and involving citizens in the implementation of the Aichi Targets . During the conference Kadri Tillemann recalled the Committees' recommendations set out in its opinion, for which she was rapporteur, which argues that halting biodiversity loss needs proper multi-level biodiversity planning, green infrastructure and integration into spatial and land-use planning.

During the Summit the Gangwon / Pyeongchang Resolution for Cities and Subnational Governments was adopted reinforcing this position which was shared with the CBD COP12. Contributing to the Resolution text, Kadri Tillemann stressed that the CBD Decision X/22 "Plan of Action on Subnational Governments, Cities and other Local Authorities for Biodiversity (2011-2020)" should inform a similar process to be set up under the UNFCCC.

Speaking at the event Kadri Tillemann said, "It is impressive to witness the political will of local-level decision-makers from all around the world to commit to biodiversity protection. One significant proof of this commitment was the strong support to include an urban Sustainable Development Goal for after-2015 - a position that is strongly supported by the Committee of the Regions".

The resolution reflects the CoRs' call for a multi-level governance approach which the rapporteur stressed during a series of meetings with Braulio de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as heads of the EU delegation - European Commissioner Potocnik and Italian Under State Secretary for Environment, Ms Degani. The rapporteur also offered support to the global partnership of cites and subnational governments to host a meeting on the eve of the EU Green Week 2015 which will focus on Natural Capital

COP12 a step forward for local government

The Committee welcomed the COP 12 decision "Engagement with Subnational and Local Governments" which emphasised cooperation with and involvement of local and regional authorities. Echoing the CoRs' opinion, the decision calls on all governments to integrate biodiversity into land-use and infrastructure and encourages local and sub-national governments to undertake sustainable urbanisation and land-use planning. Referring to the COP12 decision on resource mobilisation - which looks to ensure sufficient investment into biodiversity loss - in meetings with the CBD and EU delegation, the rapporteur stressed the need of recognising the funding provided by EU cities and regions to promote decentralised cooperation with their counterparts in developing countries.