BiodiverCities by 2030: Transforming Cities’ Relationship with Nature

The World Economic Forum's BiodiverCities by 2030 report advocates for a systemic shift in urban governance and spatial planning to integrate nature into cities. It highlights a $583 billion investment opportunity in Nature-based Solutions and land-sparing interventions, which could generate $1.5 trillion in annual business value and 59 million jobs by 2030. The report emphasizes that 44% of global urban GDP is at risk from nature loss and proposes three shifts: adopting a systems approach to governance, restoring the 'natural layer' in spatial planning, and making natural capital attractive to financial markets.

• Urban expansion has compromised critical ecosystem services, leaving 44% of global GDP in cities—approximately $31 trillion—at risk of disruption due to nature loss. Additionally, over 1.4 billion people in the largest urban centers face threats from natural hazards.
• Investing $583 billion in nature-positive interventions by 2030 could create over 59 million jobs (1.5% of the projected global labor force) and generate more than $1.5 trillion in annual business value. This includes $113 billion annually in Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for infrastructure and $469 billion in land-sparing interventions like rewilding grey infrastructure.
• Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for infrastructure are more cost-effective and provide higher value than traditional 'grey' man-made alternatives, being 50% cheaper and delivering 28% greater added value in direct and environmental benefits.
• The report proposes three essential shifts for cities to live in harmony with nature: adopting a 'systems approach' to governance that values natural ecosystems over simple cost efficiency; reintegrating nature into spatial planning by preserving habitats and 'growing smart' with green infrastructure; and creating standardized biodiversity data and new markets to attract private investment in natural capital.

APA

World Economic Forum (n.d.). BiodiverCities by 2030: Transforming Cities’ Relationship with Nature. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Biodivercities_by_2030_Insight_Report_Key_Messages.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. BiodiverCities by 2030: Transforming Cities’ Relationship with Nature. n.d. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Biodivercities_by_2030_Insight_Report_Key_Messages.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=BiodiverCities by 2030: Transforming Cities’ Relationship with Nature |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Biodivercities_by_2030_Insight_Report_Key_Messages.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforumndbiodivercities, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{BiodiverCities by 2030: Transforming Cities’ Relationship with Nature}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, url = {https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Biodivercities_by_2030_Insight_Report_Key_Messages.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }