Better Data for Bigger Nature Investments 📈

The UNEP’s new State of Finance for Nature in Cities report shines a spotlight on a big problem: Nature-based Solutions (NbS) aren’t getting nearly enough funding to make a real impact 🌍. These solutions—like urban parks, green roofs, and wetland restoration—could help cities tackle climate change, boost biodiversity, and improve daily life for millions. Yet right now, cities are only getting about $200 billion a year for these projects. To hit global targets by 2030, that figure needs to reach $542 billion! 🌱

One of the biggest reasons behind the funding gap? A lack of reliable data 📊. Cities don’t have strong frameworks to track NbS spending, which means funding often goes toward piecemeal, one-off projects instead of big, coordinated initiatives that could make a real difference. This report from UNEP suggests that with better data, cities could plan smarter, show exactly how these nature-focused projects pay off, and unlock more investment.

Enter the new Urban NbS Framework, designed to help cities do just that! This tool makes it easier for local governments to budget for NbS, track spending, and align their projects with international goals like the Paris Agreement. With the framework, cities can keep a close eye on where the money’s going and measure the impacts of NbS in real-time, giving them the info they need to boost support from funders 🌎.

This approach is already being piloted in cities like Toronto, Seattle, and Dakar, and it’s proving that with clear, accessible data, cities can be real game-changers for nature and climate. By tracking and showing the results of NbS investments, cities can inspire more funding and more action—helping us all build greener, more resilient urban spaces for the future 🌿.

Source:

United Nations Environment Programme (2024). From Grey to Green: Better Data to Finance Nature in Cities - State of Finance for Nature in Cities 2024. https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46453.