A future task in good hands A future task in good hands

Prof. Dr. Beate Jessel President, Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Germany

8th Sino-German Workshop on Biodiversity Conservation

“Urban Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services - Values, Planning and Implementation” Berlin, Germany | 16/18-19 June 2015

Arguing for Urban Green - Values, Policies and Implementation of

Ecosystems in Cities

Foto: Andreas Huth Foto: IÖR Foto: Lennart Kümper-Schlake Foto: Lennart Kümper-Schlake

Outline of the presentation

Introduction

Situation and Background of Urban Green in Germany

Importance of Urban Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

for urban dwellers in Germany

Natural Capital Germany -TEEB DE

Challenges and Approaches in Implementation

Conclusions and outlook

Introduction

Urban Green

in Germany

Values of

Urban

Biodiversity

and

Ecosystem

Services

TEEB DE

Challenges &

Approaches

Conclusions

& Outlook

8th Sino-German Workshop on Biodiversity Conservation „Urban Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services“, Berlin, June 2015

Population Germany

About. 75% of the population lives

in cities and metropolitan areas

Development of Urban Population

Metropolitan areas in Germany 2009

(Source: UN, World Urbanization Prospect 2009)

Global population

Since 2010 the majority of the

global population lives in urban

areas

Global urban and rural population

1950-2050

(Source: BBSR 2011)

urban

rural

2010

Center of metropolitan areas Additional center area

Narrow commuting area

Wider commuting area

Municiplities outside of

metropolitan areas

Introduction

Urban Green

in Germany

Values of

Urban

Biodiversity

and

Ecosystem

Services

TEEB DE

Challenges &

Approaches

Conclusions

& Outlook

8th Sino-German Workshop on Biodiversity Conservation „Urban Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services“, Berlin, June 2015

15th Annual Conference of the European Forum on Urban Forestry, Prof. Dr. Beate Jessel, President of BfN

Challenges for municipalities

Land take for settle-

ments and transport

Loss of biodiversity Climate change Demographic change

Pictures: Alice Kube

Increase in land take for

settlements and transport (Source: Statistisches Bundesamt 2011)

Shrinking (blue) and growing

(red) municipalities 2003-08 (Sources: BBSR, BfN 2011)

Indicator species diversity in

settlements (Sources: BBSR, BfN 2011)

Max. temperature

reduction depending on

green volume in Dresden (Source: Mathey et al. 2011)

Political Mandate

National

National Biodiversity Strategy

Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatschG)

30-ha-goal

European

EU Green Infrastructure Strategy

EU Biodiversity Strategy

EU net-zero-goal

International

CBD

8th Sino-German Workshop on Biodiversity Conservation „Urban Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services“, Berlin, June 2015

Introduction

Urban Green

in Germany

Values of

Urban

Biodiversity

and

Ecosystem

Services

TEEB DE

Challenges &

Approaches

Conclusions

& Outlook

Ecosystem services of urban nature

Provisioning services Regulating services Cultural services

(Sources: MEA 2003: 57; NEßHÖVER et al. 2007: 263).

nutrition

drinking water

genetic resources

Reduction of air pollution

Climate regulation

Regulation of water balance

Protection from natural

disasters

Aesthetic values

Recreation

Education

Identification

Cultural heritage

Supporting services

Soil formation, nutrient cycles, primary production

Picture: Alice Kube Picture: Alice Kube Picture: Andreas Huth

8th Sino-German Workshop on Biodiversity Conservation „Urban Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services“, Berlin, June 2015

Introduction

Urban Green

in Germany

Values of

Urban

Biodiversity

and

Ecosystem

Services

TEEB DE

Challenges &

Approaches

Conclusions

& Outlook

Cities will be highly affected by climate change

Cities play a central role in the realisation of a climate-friendly

development

Green spaces can support adaptation to climate change

Urban Green and climate change

Distribution of green volume (m³/m², left) and maximum cooling

effect (right) compared to concrete areas in the city of Dresden

(Source: Mathey et al. 2011)

8th Sino-German Workshop on Biodiversity Conservation „Urban Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services“, Berlin, June 2015

Introduction

Urban Green

in Germany

Values of

Urban

Biodiversity

and

Ecosystem

Services

TEEB DE

Challenges &

Approaches

Conclusions

& Outlook

R&D-project: Green, natural, healthy

Analysis of user groups

Assessment criteria to determine health promoting potentials

of urban green spaces

‘List of good arguments’ for planners

Urban green and human health

8th Sino-German Workshop on Biodiversity Conservation „Urban Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services“, Berlin, June 2015

Urban nature

Physical health Mental health

Foto: Andreas Huth

Mitigation of negative

impacts

Foto: Alice Kube

Social identification

Foto: Stadt Frankfurt

Introduction

Urban Green

in Germany

Values of

Urban

Biodiversity

and

Ecosystem

Services

TEEB DE

Challenges &

Approaches

Conclusions

& Outlook

Green infrasturcture in urban areas… …creates benefits and makes cities more attractive

People are willing to pay much

for a healthy environment, well-

being and opportunities for

recreation activities

distance from next urban park

< 400m > 400m

Mean L

and V

alu

e p

er

m2

€

443

€

271

attractive urban environments

are also factors for private

investment decisions

Intra-regional

accessibility

Qualified and

high qualified

labour

Vocational

schools and

universities

Supra-regional

accessibility Internationality

of the region

Image of

the region

Attractiveness

of location

Cultural

opportunities

Schools and

childcare dwelling quality

Regional further

education

1

2

3

4

5

Importance for enterprises satisfaction

Location factors Bodensee county

Green factors contribute to 36,7

% of land value in densely

populated urban areas

(Source: Gruehn 2008)

(Source:

Scherer 2012)

Introduction

Urban Green

in Germany

Values of

Urban

Biodiversity

and

Ecosystem

Services

TEEB DE

Challenges &

Approaches

Conclusions

& Outlook

…published:

I.

Introduction brochure

The Value of Nature for Economy and

Society

…in compilation:

2. ES in rural areas (to be published

2016)

…published:

II.

Business

brochure

The Businesses Perspective

…first draft:

1.

Natural Capital and Climate Policy –

Synergies & Conflicts

(2014)

Natural Capital Germany

- TEEB DE

…in compilation:

3.

ES in the City – Protecting Health

and Enhancing Quality of Life (to be published 2016)

…in preparation:

4.

Natural Capital Germany – A

synthesis report of (to be published

2017)

Study Lead at UFZ; Report Leads at TU Berlin, LU Hannover,

UFZ; approx. 200 volontary authors; Strong advisory bodies.

Introduction

Urban Green

in Germany

Values of

Urban

Biodiversity

and

Ecosystem

Services

TEEB DE

Challenges &

Approaches

Conclusions

& Outlook

BfN‘s Contributions to TEEB DE

Ecosystem Services in the City –

Protecting Health and Enhancing Quality of

Life

+ Executive Summary for Decision-Makers

Initial Research & Selection:

e.g. Effects of Urban Green on

Well-being and their

Economic Equivalent

e.g. Green, Natural, Healthy –

Potentials of Multifunctional

Urban Green.

Scientific quality assurance Design of scientific

long version:

Topics

Contents

Structure

Executive Summary

for Decision-Makers:

Design

Selection

Integration

Drafting

Utilization

of results 11 8th Sino-German Workshop on Biodiversity Conservation „Urban Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services“, Berlin, June 2015

Implementation Challenges

Knowledge & Exchange of Ideas

Missing awareness about the values of urban ecosystem

services amongst decision-makers and the public

Lack in knowledge and exchange of experience and best

practices regarding options for implementation of urban

green infrastructure in municipalities

Financing

Creating and maintaining urban green is not a priority

In case of limited financial resources funding decisions are

often made against development of urban ecosystems

8th Sino-German Workshop on Biodiversity Conservation „Urban Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services“, Berlin, June 2015

Introduction

Urban Green

in Germany

Values of

Urban

Biodiversity

and

Ecosystem

Services

TEEB DE

Challenges &

Approaches

Conclusions

& Outlook

Implementation of the German

Biodiversity Strategy

Federal Programme on Biological Diversity:

Funding priorities

1. Species for which Germany has a special responsibility

2. Hotspots of biological diversity in Germany

3. Protecting ecosystem services

4. Other activities with special relevance for the national biodiversity

strategy

www.biologischevielfalt.de

Alliance of German Municipalities for

Biological Diversity

2010: declaration on biological diversity

signed by more than 200 municipalities

2013: 90 municipalities are member of the

alliance for biodiversity

Picture: BfN 2011

Introduction

Urban Green

in Germany

Values of

Urban

Biodiversity

and

Ecosystem

Services

TEEB DE

Challenges &

Approaches

Conclusions

& Outlook

Conclusions

Urban ecosystems are in the spotlight of environmental policy

due to the massive impacts urbanisation processes have on our

natural sourroundings,

the great challenges our municipalities face, and

given the great values they can provide to increase well-being of

urban dwellers at relatively low cost

From recognition of values to implementation

TEEB activities and economic valuations are highly important to

deliver additional arguments in favour of urban green spaces, but

Planning and implementation issues are crucial!!

Keep in mind: Biodiversity and rural-urban interactions

… not to focus on Ecosystem Services only, but also to stop the loss

of biodiversity, or increase whereever possible!

…that also rural ecosystems play a crucial role in ecosystem services

supply and well-being for urban populations!

Introduction

Urban Green

in Germany

Values of

Urban

Biodiversity

and

Ecosystem

Services

TEEB DE

Challenges &

Approaches

Conclusions

& Outlook

Outlook

Fostering science-policy dialogue

including practice and public

Continued cooperation on TEEB

Exchange on national implementation

Follow-up to EU-China TEEB Platform

Towards close cooperation on urban biodiversity and

ecosystem services between Germany and China

The GreenCities-Study

8th Sino-German Workshop on Biodiversity Conservation „Urban Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services“, Berlin, June 2015

Introduction

Urban Green

in Germany

Values of

Urban

Biodiversity

and

Ecosystem

Services

TEEB DE

Challenges &

Approaches

Conclusions

& Outlook

A future task in good hands

Beate Jessel,

Lennart Kümper-Schlake, Alice Schröder, Katharina Dietrich Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Germany

7th Sino-German Workshop on Biodiversity Conservation

“Urban Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services - Values, Planning and Implementation” Berlin, Germany | 16/18-19 June 2015

Arguing for Urban Green - Values, Policies and Implementation of

Ecosystems in Cities

Foto: Andreas Huth Foto: IÖR Foto: Lennart Kümper-Schlake Foto: Lennart Kümper-Schlake