Nature Positive Cities Efforts to Advance the Transition San Francisco 2025

2 Assessment of enabling environment Challenges identified –Social and economic crises (e.g. af fordable housing) may be prioritized over delivery of the nature agenda. –The lack of a formal, standalone biodiversity strategy or nature action plan detailing targets, specific initiatives and nature investment/management priorities impedes the city’s ability to deliver initiatives with tangible nature outcomes. –Dif ficult-to-enforce policies (such as the Biodiversity Program) and limited incentives for the private sector to invest in nature mitigate the impact of finance. Impr ovement areas –Formalize a dedicated natur e action plan to identify and implement nature-specific solutions for the city. –Reassess city codes thr ough a nature lens and redesign policies to facilitate and encourage greater private-sector nature-positive action. 2.3 Policy and regulations Overview Responsibility for climate and nature management in the US is dispersed across agencies from the state level through to the federal level. At the federal level, four government offices are responsible for ensuring economic growth, energy security and a healthy planet through environmental means. 19 At the state level, California has associated climate regulators, policies and initiatives that ultimately support San Francisco’s climate management strategy. 20 San Francisco’s climate and nature strategy is defined through the Climate Action Plan, which has a Healthy Ecosystems chapter focused on urban forestry and biodiversity. Goals outlined in this chapter are some of the more affordable objectives to implement. Initial assessments conducted through organization partnerships have estimated that approximately between $2-22 billion will be needed for the city to implement and achieve the objectives outlined in the Climate Action Plan. Policies such as the San Francisco Biodiversity Program, which was introduced by the city and aims to support collaboration and interagency cooperation for conservation planning and management, are difficult to enforce. 24 Nature Positive: Cities’ Efforts to Advance the Transition