The Cape Town City Council has given the City the green light to pursue membership in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This approval signifies the initial phase in the official application process to join the IUCN.
By becoming a member, the City aims to strengthen its conservation endeavours by tapping into a global network of expertise and resources in the fields of environment, nature conservation and biodiversity.
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Membership offers several advantages, such as opportunities for collaboration between cities, expert advice on environmental management and the possibility of financial support for specific conservation projects.
‘Once we are a member we will have access to a well-established global network of government actors at all levels, which provides access to internationally recognised tools for the implementation of a number of environmental, nature conservation and biodiversity initiatives,’ said Alderman Eddie Andrews, Cape Town’s deputy mayor and mayoral committee member for spatial planning and the environment.
Cities benefit in numerous ways from IUCN membership. For example, the IUCN aids cities in jointly developing solutions for intricate urban environmental issues, including conservation and biodiversity. This is particularly relevant for Cape Town, a city known for its rich biodiversity.
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Members also gain access to research, practical protocols and technical guidance from the IUCN and its collaborating organisations.
Key resources available to members include:
- The IUCN Urban Nature Index: This tool helps cities gauge their environmental footprint, establish scientifically backed targets and track advancements.
- IUCN Urban Protected Areas: This resource offers thorough profiles and recommendations along with in-depth case studies to assist urban conservation area managers in navigating the opportunities and challenges of expanding urbanisation.
Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Gland, Switzerland, the IUCN is a unique alliance of government and civil society organisations. The union leverages the knowledge, assets and outreach of its over 1 400 members across nearly 170 countries and a cadre of 18 000 experts.
The IUCN focuses its efforts on several key areas, such as biodiversity, economics, climate change, water security, governance, nature-based solutions and coastal and oceanic matters.
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