As the world becomes increasingly urbanized, addressing climate change and the loss of nature becomes paramount. By 2050, the urban population is expected to increase by 2.5 billion people. The World Economic Forum's Nature-Positive Cities initiative, in collaboration with Oliver Wyman, aims to promote advocacy and cooperation between local governments, the private sector, and civil society. This initiative supports investments in urban interventions that benefit both nature and climate.
Despite the potential benefits of nature-based solutions (NbS) to address urban development challenges, implementation remains limited. Leadership, advocacy, and high-level partnerships are crucial for activating cities' transition to a nature-positive economy. The report, resulting from a year of research and dialogue, highlights strategies and interventions to support nature-positive urban development. Real-world examples and practical solutions are provided, emphasizing replicability and scalability.
Carlos Correa, Colombia’s Former Minister of Environment
London Breed, Mayor of San Francisco
Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group
Johnny Ayoub, Head of Oliver Wyman’s IMEA Climate and Sustainability Platform
Kotchakorn Voraakhom, CEO of Landprocess
Edmilson Rodrigues, Mayor of Belém
Arjun Dhawan, Executive Vice-Chairman of Hindustan Construction Company (HCC)
Esther An, Chair of Corporate Advisory Board, World Green Building Council
Mauricio Rodas, Former Mayor of Quito
Incheon’s Solutions
This report offers a rich collection of insights and strategies that cities can adapt and implement to advance their nature-positive agendas. Success stories of weaving nature into urban life provide replicable and scalable solutions for more nature-positive cities.