Advancing Nature-based Solutions for Liveability and Climate Adaptation
Date: November 9, 2026 / Events
Event details
Date: Friday, 13 November 2026
Time: 16:35–17:35
Location: Marmara Antalya Hotel, Antalya, Türkiye
Session: Thematic Session 4 – Advancing Nature-based Solutions for Liveability and Climate Adaptation
Event: 21st Annual Session of the Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS 2026)
Co-organisers: IUCN and Global EbA Fund partners
About the event
How can cities work with nature to become more liveable, inclusive and resilient to climate change?
As urban populations continue to grow, cities are increasingly exposed to climate impacts such as extreme heat, flooding and storms, which threaten public health, infrastructure and quality of life. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer an integrated approach to addressing these challenges by protecting, sustainably managing and restoring ecosystems while delivering benefits for people and nature.
At the 21st Annual Session of the Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS 2026), IUCN and Global EbA Fund partners will co-organise a thematic session exploring how cities can advance nature-based approaches to climate adaptation and urban liveability.
Moving beyond standalone nature interventions, the session will examine how NbS can be integrated into urban planning, development and climate action to strengthen resilience, improve quality of life and deliver broader environmental and social benefits. Through practical examples from different regions, participants will explore how scientific evidence, community engagement and inclusive planning can help cities make informed decisions and maximise the benefits of urban ecosystems.
The discussion will focus on three key areas: integrating people and nature into city-level climate planning; using macro- and micro-level data, alongside citizen science, to inform urban NbS implementation; and mobilising urban communities to transform underutilised spaces into opportunities for cross-generational climate resilience.
Featuring experiences from Brazil, Niger, Colombia and Mexico, the session will showcase approaches to urban biodiversity and climate resilience, ecosystem-based adaptation to extreme heat, age-friendly cities and communities, and the integration of ecosystem-based adaptation into social housing.
The session will contribute to broader discussions at GFHS 2026 on resilient cities and just transitions, highlighting how nature can be a central component of sustainable, climate-resilient urban development.
Who should attend?
The session is intended for urban planners, city and local government representatives, climate adaptation practitioners, ecosystem-based adaptation specialists, researchers, civil society organisations, development agencies, and other stakeholders working on sustainable cities, climate resilience and nature-based approaches.
Participants will gain insights into practical approaches for integrating nature into urban development, strengthening inclusive climate planning and advancing ecosystem-based adaptation in cities.
Join the discussion
Cities are at the forefront of the climate crisis, but they are also central to building a more resilient and sustainable future.
Join IUCN and Global EbA Fund partners at GFHS 2026 to explore how nature-based solutions can be integrated into urban planning and climate action, creating cities that are more liveable, inclusive and resilient for people and nature.
