The Symposium on Cities and Biodiversity: Aligning Cities with the Global Biodiversity Framework was held in Shenzhen on Sept. 6, exploring how cities can align with the goals of the new Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Over 190 countries adopted the framework in December 2022 during China's presidency of the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity.

The Shenzhen symposium emphasized the role of cities in achieving global biodiversity goals. It brought together government officials, leading academics, NGOs, legislators, and representatives from the private sector, both from China and internationally. The event was co-organized by the Paulson Institute and other organizations.

Wendy Paulson, vice chairman of the Paulson Institute, highlighted cities' vital role in global biodiversity efforts. "Not only do cities host resident wildlife, but many also witness the passage of millions of migratory birds each spring and autumn," Paulson said. "With some small changes to the way cities design and manage urban green spaces, by tackling light pollution and requiring buildings to be 'bird-safe,' cities can become great places not only for people but also for nature."

Sun Lili, founder and deputy board chairwoman of the Mangrove Conservation Foundation (MCF), emphasized the need for interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration in urban biodiversity conservation. She highlighted the MCF's commitment to socially inclusive nature conservation and improving habitats for migratory birds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, a major bird migration route stretching from Arctic Russia and North America to Australia and New Zealand.

Cities are home to 4.4 billion people, or 56% of the global population, a figure expected to reach about 70% by 2050. Urban areas are crucial for educating the public about nature's importance and our dependence on it. They also serve as key migratory routes for birds traveling across countries and continents.

Scott Loss, a professor from Oklahoma State University, reported that light pollution and glass collisions lead to the deaths of approximately 1 billion migratory birds annually in North America. He emphasized that these issues can be easily prevented, and cities can greatly improve bird safety with simple measures.

Li Binbin, a professor at Duke Kunshan University and founder of the China Anti-Bird Collision Action Alliance, noted that citizen science is helping to quantify bird collisions in China. This data is key for creating policies to reduce light pollution and improve building standards, helping China protect migratory birds and support the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Wang Shi, chairman of the Vanke Foundation and founding board chair of MCF, expressed anticipation for proposals and plans that will aid urban biodiversity conservation. He called for a collective effort to protect global biodiversity and create a better environment.

The symposium also featured discussions on establishing baseline data and regular monitoring of urban biodiversity, designing and managing urban green spaces, and tackling the issue of bird collisions with buildings.

Following the event, the co-organizers released the Insights for Cities on Biodiversity, offering practical recommendations for aligning urban strategies with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

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