Nature Positive Cities Efforts to Advance the Transition Durban 2024

1 City overview ENABLER1.2 Situational context City-level strategies to address climate change and protect and restore nature: –The introduction of the Climate Change Strategy in 2015 (reviewed in 2022) established a multi-sector pledge to convert to a low-carbon economy.12 In 2017, Durban developed a Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan aiming to avoid the loss of biodiversity and preserve the ecosystem conditions and status in the eThekwini Municipal Area (EMA) while encouraging sustainable economic development.13 –A new Climate Action Plan was established in 2019, detailing the actions and steps the city would take to achieve the objectives and targets outlined in the Paris Agreement. This made Durban the first African city to establish a Paris-aligned action plan. It pledged to reduce emissions 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050.14 –The adoption of a decentralized approach to climate-change management meant that municipal departments shared the responsibility to implement projects that focus on climate change.KEY STATISTICS Transformation of 500 km of municipal-owned riverine corridor land, so that it is climate-resilient, clean, safe and healthy Identification of key climate risks and opportunitiesSelect the tabs to discover more 10% waste from landfill diverted15% reduction in private car journeys Nature and climate change strategies Economical and developmental context Local biodiversity and the natural environment Nature Positive: Cities’ Efforts to Advance the Transition 14