Biological Diversity and the Urban Environment: Ecosystem Conservation Group Issue Paper

This report was prepared following a decision taken at the eighteenth session of the Ecosystem Conservation Group, held on 9 July 1998 at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome, where members identified biological diversity and the urban environment as a priority topic and requested the preparation of an issue paper by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Developed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and informed by substantive discussions and member comments, the paper examines the complex relationship between the urban environment and biological diversity. It distinguishes between conserving and sustainably using biological diversity within urban and peri-urban areas and mitigating the negative impacts of urbanisation on surrounding and distant ecosystems. The report reviews patterns of rapid urban growth, particularly in developing regions, and analyses pressures arising from land conversion, poverty, weak governance and inadequate planning. It identifies deficiencies in ecological data, limited economic valuation of ecosystem goods and services, and insufficient integration of biodiversity objectives into land-use planning, transport, energy and waste management. Drawing on international processes and case studies, it addresses institutional coordination, public participation, environmental education, green space management and urban food production. The document emphasises ecosystem-based approaches, improved governance, strengthened research and monitoring, and greater policy coherence to support sustainable urban development and to enhance complementarity and compatibility among relevant work programmes.