The IUCN Local Action Summit took place on 3 September 2021—the opening day of the IUCN World Conservation Congress—in Marseille, France. Leaders convened to showcase and galvanise conservation efforts in cities and regions, make the case for a nature-based recovery to COVID-19, and announce ambitious action pledges for nature. Here follows a translated transcript of the speech delivered by the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo.
Hello everyone, my dear friends. I’m very happy to take part today in this summit of local elected officials which, for the very first time, launches the IUCN World Conservation Congress.
I am unable to join you in person, but I would like to thank the organizers who have worked in a rather challenging situation to hold this meeting, which is so important for biodiversity, and to enable us to participate in one way or another. As Mayor of Paris, a city that has been actively involved in ecological transition for years, I know how decisive it is to all mobilize. There is strength in numbers, and during the next international meetings, the voice of cities and local governments must be heard. We are waiting for, and we need at all levels, strong decisions, and an efficient and practical agenda for climate, biodiversity and oceans.
We must move quickly, devise new models, build new solidarities and be inspired by solutions based on and connected with nature. Given the 6th mass extinction of species, which is just as serious as climate change, we face a huge challenge to preserve an irreplaceable biological and natural heritage. We have to stand, we must act, and for 20 years, Paris has already taken up this responsibility to protect biodiversity. Our first biodiversity plan was established in 2011 and we granted honorary citizenship to biodiversity in 2016 because I believe that symbols are important.
We want to build a new urban model where nature flourishes, whenever possible, and little by little, our city is changing. Many wild species are coming back and finding refuge with over 100 protected species listed. Tree planting, ecological management of greenspaces, distribution of nesting boxes, we are giving wildlife more space.
Already 500,000 trees cover our territory and we are going to plant more than 100,000 in the coming years. Our local urban plan is designed to serve nature in the city, creating green, blue and brown grids, real biodiversity corridors that contribute to strengthening ecological continuity on a national and European scale.
By 2007, our city banned the use of phytosanitary substances in its gardens and cemeteries and this ban has now been extended to the entire city. We are reducing the ecological footprint of our public procurement and food. Our municipal daycare centres are already setting an example with more than 80% organically grown food in the meals served to children.
I wish to point out the fight against plastic pollution, strong action is expected on this crucial issue for our water resources, fauna and flora, as well as human health. In Paris, we have undertaken a plan to get rid of single-use plastic waste which will be part of the legacy of the Olympic games that we will host in 2024. This is a plague that requires global action and the mobilization of all stakeholders.
Expectations are high expectations of the population, especially young people who know that resources are being wasted that pollution is serious and that it is urgent to act. More than ever, we need to rally for climate and nature.
We must seize these opportunities to live better, to strengthen our democratic processes, to put an end to food insecurity, to protect the most vulnerable, the future generations.
Finally, I would like to invite you to join us on 6th October with the International Association of Francophone Mayors which I have the honour of chairing, for a day in favour of the conservation of the primary forests of Central Africa, a thousand-year-old ecosystem, a reservoir of exceptional biodiversity, and a pillar in the fight against global warming.
I wish for you, and I wish for all of us, a rich and productive Congress. You can count on Paris to rally for nature and Paris is looking forward to welcoming you in the future.