Cities are expanding faster than at any point in history, driving their impact on nature loss and climate, according to a blog post from the World Economic Forum (WEF). Research increasingly shows that nature can play a critical role in helping cities tackle urban environmental challenges such as stormwater management, pollution reduction and climate resiliency, it continues.
To help cities onto a nature-positive pathway of urban development that improves resilience to environmental and social threats, the WEF has teamed up with the Government of Colombia to launch the UpLink BiodiverCities Challenge.
“We are looking for impactful and inspiring solutions that demonstrate disruptive potential from entrepreneurs, businesses, cities, or organizations and are ready to be scaled and replicated across cities around the world,” writes the WEF in the article. It continues that these might include projects that enhance biodiversity in urban areas, implement green and blue infrastructure and restoration projects, or provide new financial mechanisms that contribute to the bioeconomy.
The winning 10 to 20 top innovators will be invited to join the WEF's UpLink innovator network and to participate in a programme designed to accelerate their impact.
