BiodiverCities by 2030: Transforming Cities’ Relationship with Nature

The report advocates for the 'BiodiverCities by 2030' vision, where cities are treated as living systems that integrate natural capital into their built environment. It highlights that 44% of urban GDP is at risk from nature loss and proposes a shift toward nature-based solutions (NbS) and land-sparing interventions. These transitions could create 59 million jobs and generate $1.5 trillion in annual business value by 2030. The document outlines three systemic shifts required: adopting a systems approach to urban governance, spatially re-integrating nature into planning, and mobilizing investment through biodiversity data and novel financial models.

• Urban expansion significantly threatens global biodiversity, particularly in tropical moist forest biomes in low- and middle-income countries, with 90% of the 423 cities in biological hotspots projected to expand into these areas.
• Nature loss poses a substantial economic threat to cities, with an estimated 44% of urban GDP, totaling $31 trillion, at risk of disruption.
• Nature-based solutions (NbS) for infrastructure are significantly more cost-effective and provide higher value than traditional 'grey' infrastructure, costing on average 50% less and delivering 28% more added value.
• There is a massive investment gap in urban nature; in 2021, NbS received only 0.3% of overall urban infrastructure spending, amounting to approximately $28 billion.
• By 2030, combined investments in NbS for infrastructure and land-sparing interventions could reach $583 billion annually, potentially creating over 59 million jobs, including 21 million specifically in NbS.
• The relevance of nature-positive interventions varies by region: NbS for infrastructure are most critical for Latin America, Africa, and Asia Pacific, while land-sparing interventions are most relevant for highly urbanized areas like China, Europe, and India.
• Current urban governance is often fragmented and relies on sector-based approaches that undervalue nature; a transition to a 'systems approach' is required to coordinate stakeholders and prioritize nature-based solutions.
• Mobilizing private capital for urban nature is hindered by a lack of clear revenue streams and harmonized ESG reporting standards, with 85% of current NbS financing coming from local governments.
• Novel financial mechanisms, such as debt-for-nature swaps, catalytic capital, and parametric insurance for ecosystems, are essential to shift the risk-return dynamics of investing in natural assets.

APA

World Economic Forum (2022). BiodiverCities by 2030: Transforming Cities’ Relationship with Nature. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_BiodiverCities_by_2030_2022.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. BiodiverCities by 2030: Transforming Cities’ Relationship with Nature. 2022. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_BiodiverCities_by_2030_2022.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=BiodiverCities by 2030: Transforming Cities’ Relationship with Nature |date=January 2022 |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_BiodiverCities_by_2030_2022.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2022biodivercities, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{BiodiverCities by 2030: Transforming Cities’ Relationship with Nature}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2022}, month = jan, url = {https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_BiodiverCities_by_2030_2022.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }