# About the Nature-Positive Cities initiative Creating cities that live in harmony with nature. ## Only 37% of the world's 500 most populous cities have a dedicated strategy on nature or biodiversity preservation. Urban centres are the primary drivers of the global economy, contributing 80% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP). However, their rapid expansion has adversely affected natural ecosystems. An estimated 44% of global GDP – $31 trillion – generated in cities is vulnerable to disruption due to nature loss. [Read more in our report](https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Nature_Positive_Guidelines_for_the_Transition_in_Cities_2024.pdf) ## We are rebalancing cities' relationship with nature Urban leaders and decision-makers must prioritize nature in their investment decisions to both improve the resilience and liveability of their cities, and to secure a sustainable future for humanity. **44%** of global GDP in cities ($31 trillion) is estimated to be at risk of disruption from nature loss **1.4 bn** people living in the world’s largest urban centres are threatened by natural hazards **~75%** of world's population will live in cities by 2050 ### Our Champion Cities Five cities have committed to advance a Nature-Positive vision through increased public-private collaboration:Barranquilla, ColombiaBelem do Pará, BrazilDurban, South AfricaIncheon, South KoreaSan Francisco, USAOur City Profile reports seek to illuminate the ongoing efforts that sectors and cities around the globe are making to contribute to the Global Biodiversity Framework and foster a nature-positive future. ### Durban, South Africa Durban, South Africa’s second-largest city, is home to an extraordinary range of species, including 2,267 plants, 526 birds and 25 endemic vertebrates. Despite its natural wealth, Durban faces significant urban development challenges, such as climate resilience, housing, waste and water management, and energy access. [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/publications/nature-positive-cities-efforts-to-advance-the-transition-durban/) ### San Francisco, USA San Francisco, USA is the host to hundreds of plants and animals in a diversity of ecosystems including Indigenous plants, animals and species found nowhere else, such as the Franciscan Manzanita and Mission Blue Butterfly. [Read more](https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Nature_Positive_Leaders_Insights_for_the_Transition_in_Cities_2024.pdf) ### Barranquilla, Colombia Barranquilla, Colombia, recorded a 45% increase in GDP between 2011 and 2021. Economic growth has been paired with an increase in access to public healthcare, more public green space and high-quality infrastructure. [Read more](https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Nature_Positive_Leaders_Insights_for_the_Transition_in_Cities_2024.pdf) ## Our Communities The World Economic Forum has convened two international groups to fuel the initiative's efforts: the Global Commission on Nature-Positive Cities and the Expert Task Force on Nature-Positive Cities. ## The Global Commission for Nature-Positive Cities The Global Commission on Nature-Positive Cities is convened by the World Economic Forum and brings together mayors, business leaders and world-renowned urban planners and practitioners who will raise awareness of the role that healthy ecosystems play in building more liveable and resilient cities. The Commission will outline real-time urban challenges, share learnings and success stories, identify barriers to unlock financing and advocate for nature-positive city design and delivery at global fora and events. The Commission will influence other partners, networks and stakeholders wanting to embark in a journey of nature-positive transformations at the urban scale. [View More](#) ## Members *Browse and filter community members* ## The Expert Task Force for Nature-Positive Cities The Expert Task Force on Nature-Positive Cities will be integrated by 18 subject experts in a multistakeholder environment to advise the Global Commission on Nature-Positive Cities and support the development and implementation of tried and tested models that could be replicated around the world to build resilient, equal and prosperous cities by 2030 with biodiversity as an anchor. In particular, the Expert Task Force will address three key challenges faced in nature-positive transformation at urban scale: [View More](#) ### Finance Increasing finance and accelerating public-private collaborations for nature-positive interventions cities around the world ### Policy and regulation Crafting policy models, regulation and incentives allowing to break down the barriers for a successful transition towards nature-positive cities ### Urban planning and design Devising innovative ways to spatially integrate nature in the built environment and deploy nature-based solutions in pilot cities ## Members *Browse and filter community members* ## Members *Browse and filter community members* ## The Nature-Positive Cities initiative is embedded within the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Nature and Climate and Centre for Urban Transformation ### Centre for Urban Transformation Advancing public-private collaboration in cities for resilient, future-ready communities and economies. [Discover the Centre](https://centres.weforum.org/centre-for-urban-transformation/) ### Centre for Nature and Climate Accelerating net-zero climate action, regenerating food, water and ocean systems, and promoting circular economies. [Discover the Centre](https://centres.weforum.org/centre-nature-and-climate)