Trees in Dry Cities
In the drylands, where cities are facing some of the harshest impacts of climate change, nearly 2 billion people are feeling the heat. Extreme temperatures, prolonged droughts, and sudden flash floods are becoming more frequent and severe.
Trees are a simple and proven nature-based solution that can transform the landscape and make cities more resilient. Urban trees are not a luxury, they are a necessity. They can lower temperatures by up to 8 degrees Celsius, providing a much-needed relief from the scorching heat. In drylands, trees suitable to local ecosystems, cultures and dry climates can slow an even reverse desertification and soil erosion, and their benefits extend to our daily lives. Green spaces improve our mental health, provide recreational opportunities, and unlock substantial savings in public health expenditures.
To deliver these benefits, we need to plant the right trees, in the right places, for the right reasons. Local governments need funding and technical support. National government can pave the way by establishing policy frameworks that drive, align, and support local action. Together, we can turn our dry cities into vibrant, sustainable places for generations to come.
Trees in Dry Cities Coalition
The Trees in Dry Cities Coalition champions the power of urban trees and nature as a nature-based solution for cities and towns in drylands. It operates on a multi-level approach, working to align policy and systemic action across local, national, and international levels.
The Coalition fosters a collaborative environment by promoting knowledge sharing, awareness raising, pilot programs facilitating effective urban tree management. It plays a crucial role in influencing policy by providing data, best practices and joint research. This guides policymakers towards integrating urban forestry into national climate change strategies and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Additionally, the Coalition advances the goals of urban forestry in dry climates channelling and amplifying joint messaging campaigns, participation in key events and facilitating access to grants.
Our Approach
JOINT OUTREACH AND MESSAGING
- Coordinated input to key events and international processes
- Create and distribute outreach materials
ENHANCE KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS AND CAPACITY
- Conduct assessment
- Provide capacity-building initiatives
- Raise awareness and engage communities
- Develop tools such as data collection methods and planning toolkits
DELIVERING TREES IN DRY CITIES
- Mobilize resources
- Identify project opportunities and other collaboration partners
- Develop policy guidance and recommendations
How to join the Trees in Dry Cities Coalition
Participation in the coalition is voluntary. Interested authorities and organizations may contact UNECE at [email protected] to express interest in joining.
- Upcoming events
- Drought - Water Accessibility and Availability: Challenges, Successes and Failures | 6 November 2024
- Past events
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- Fourth meeting of the Trees in Dry Cities Coalition | 08 October 2024
- Third meeting of the Trees in Dry Cities Coalition | 27 June 2024
- Second meeting of the Trees in Dry Cities Coalition | 30 April 2024
- First meeting of the Trees in Dry Cities Coalition | 18 March 2024
- COP28 side event: Trees in dry cities: Luxury or a fundamental climate and SDG solution? | 06 December 2023