COP15 on the UN Convention on Biological Diversity has been held in Montréal this month where nations adopted an all-important 10-year global agreement to protect and enhance biodiversity.

This is the only UN convention that has a built-in role for local government. ICLEI has held a concurrent Summit for Subnational Governments & Cities at COP15 and has been such a buzz to join hundreds of local government delegates so committed to protecting and enhancing nature and biodiversity for their communities.

David Suzuki reminded us today of the great reciprocal relationship between humans and nature, the need to give back what we receive in food, shelter, medicine, spirituality and so much more.

I was delighted to share my own council’s story of green space for health with the conference and to be uplifted by other stories from around the globe.

There is nothing like the power of collective action. ICLEI is the only organisation that draws together local governments from around the world to share our work on these global challenges. I’d love you to join us. 

This report has been provided by Cr. Amanda Stone, Chair of the ICLEI Oceania Regional Executive Committee who was in attendance at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in early December.