Shanghai showcases biodiversity conservation efforts at UN conference event

Shanghai highlighted its efforts to protect biodiversity in a megacity setting during an event held at the China Pavilion on Wednesday at the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17).

The Shanghai Day event brought together representatives from government departments, international organizations, research institutions and civil society groups, according to a media release from the Center for Environmental Education and Communication of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. 

It said they shared experiences and discussed ways to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and promote biodiversity-friendly cities.

Adopted at COP15 in late 2022 under China's presidency, the Kunming-Montreal framework sets four long-term goals for 2050 and 23 action-oriented global targets for 2030.

Dong Baotong, vice-minister of ecology and environment, said China has made urban biodiversity conservation a national priority. 

The country has updated its national biodiversity conservation strategy and action plan, drawn ecological conservation red lines, incorporated biodiversity into territorial spatial planning and strengthened its nature reserve system, he said.

China has also launched baseline surveys and monitoring programs for urban biodiversity and promoted pilot projects for biodiversity-friendly cities, Dong continued. 

He added that Shanghai's experience could provide replicable solutions for biodiversity conservation in densely populated cities around the world.

With a permanent population of more than 24 million, Shanghai has explored approaches including habitat restoration, ecological space protection and broader public participation, the release said. 

It said the city has worked to expand green spaces, develop habitat gardens, apply nature-based solutions and involve citizens in biodiversity monitoring.

During the event, the United Nations Development Programme released the Shanghai Biodiversity Finance Plan 2026-2035, the release said. Representatives from Chongming, Qingpu and Changning districts also presented projects involving ecological island development, regional ecological governance and urban habitat networks.