Centre researcher Thomas Elmqvist explains the many links between urbanization, biodiversity and ecosystem services

Urban growth and biodiversity

The world's first analysis on cities and biodiversity

The world's first analysis on how urban growth impacts biodiversity, health and ecosystems

A new assessment presented by the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and Stockholm Resilience Centre analyses both the impacts of urbanisation on biodiversity, health and ecosystems as well as the many benefits that come from including these aspects in urban planning.

The assessment, entitled Cities and Biodiversity Outlook (CBO), is the first comprehensive global analysis of how urbanisation and urban growth impact biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics in terrestrial, freshwater and marine systems.

The assessment, which is scientifically edited by centre researcher Thomas Elmqvist and draws on contributions from more than 120 scientists worldwide, states that over 60 percent of the land projected to become urban by 2030 has yet to be built.

This presents a major opportunity to greatly improve global sustainability by promoting low-carbon, resource-efficient urban development that can reduce adverse effects on biodiversity and improve quality of life.

Read more about the CBO here

Stockholm Resilience Centre is a collaboration between Stockholm University and the Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

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