In order to protect biodiversity and foster resilience across the world, all levels of government and society must work together. In this regard, the role of cities, subnational governments, and local authorities cannot be underestimated! The Edinburgh Process and Edinburgh Declaration are central to bringing key actors together to convene on biodiverity and resilience.

In the simplest terms, the Edinburgh Process is a consultation process with sub-national governments (regional, city and local authorities) on their roles in the UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD’s) Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and its targets. It ensures that all levels of government are included in planning, reporting, and implementing the framework. A key output of this process is the so-called Edinburgh Declaration, which calls on the Parties to the CBD to recognise the role of local authorities in delivering the actions needed to meet biodiversity goals and targets. 

The success of the Framework undoubtedly relies on local action. This is why ICLEI invites all local authorities to make their voices count by signing the Edinburgh Declaration.

The post-2020 framework and new global targets are set to be agreed-upon at the CBD Conference of Parties meeting (COP15) at the end of 2022. Signing the Edinburgh Declaration will demonstrate to the CBD the global will for a dedicated Decision and a renewed Plan of Action for subnational governments, cities and local authorities, to be adopted at COP15.

The Scottish Government, in close collaboration with ICLEI, the EU Committee of the Regions and other key partner organisations, has been leading the Edinburgh Process. 

To sign the Edinburgh Declaration, and to thus add your voice to the chorus of more than 240 global signatories, please follow the signing instructions laid out by the Scottish Government here.

In addition, interested parties are invited to learn more about how to sign the Declaration at a hybrid event (online and in-person in Brussels), taking place tomorrow, 1 June at 10:30-11:30 CEST, followed by a networking brunch. If you wish to attend, please register here.