FAO Green Cities Network: How Cities Around the World Are Building Greener, Healthier and More Sustainable Urban Communities

Introduction to the FAO Green Cities Network

Cities are at the heart of some of the world’s most urgent environmental, social and economic challenges. Rapid urbanization, climate change, food insecurity, pollution, biodiversity loss and declining access to green spaces are increasingly affecting the quality of life of people living in urban areas. The FAO Green Cities Network is an international community of cities working to address these challenges by integrating nature, food systems, forestry and sustainable economic development into urban planning and development. Led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Green Cities Network brings together cities that are committed to transforming urban and peri-urban areas through practical solutions that can generate economic, social and environmental benefits simultaneously. The initiative recognizes that urban development does not have to come at the expense of nature. Instead, cities can use trees, forests, agriculture, green spaces and sustainable bioeconomy approaches to create healthier environments, improve food security, strengthen local economies and make communities more resilient to climate change.

Currently, more than 300 cities are benefiting from the initiative. The Network also includes cities affiliated through the joint FAO and Arbor Day Foundation Tree Cities of the World programme.

What Is the FAO Green Cities Network?

The FAO Green Cities Network is a global community of cities committed to making urban and peri-urban environments greener, healthier, more inclusive and sustainable.

The Network is designed around the idea that urban greening should not be treated as an isolated environmental activity. Instead, cities can integrate different sectors and strategies to address several challenges at the same time.

For example, planting and protecting trees in cities can:

• Improve air quality.
• Provide shade and reduce the effects of urban heat.
• Support biodiversity.
• Help manage rainwater.
• Improve the appearance and livability of urban neighbourhoods.
• Create recreational spaces.
• Contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation.
• Improve people’s physical and mental well-being.

Similarly, urban agriculture can help cities strengthen local food systems while providing employment opportunities, improving access to fresh food and making productive use of available urban and peri-urban land.

The Network therefore promotes approaches that connect environmental sustainability with food security, public health, economic development and social well-being.

The FAO Green Cities Initiative

The FAO Green Cities Network is at the centre of the broader Green Cities Initiative (GCI).

The Green Cities Initiative began in 2020 with an ambitious objective: to help generate tangible improvements in the health and well-being of people and the surrounding environment in 1,000 cities by 2030.

The initiative recognizes the growing importance of cities in addressing global challenges. As urban populations continue to grow, decisions made by city authorities can have a major impact on food systems, climate resilience, biodiversity, public health and the environment.

Through the Green Cities Initiative, FAO works with cities to promote practical and integrated solutions that can make urban areas more sustainable while improving the lives of residents.

The Green Cities Network provides an important platform for this work by connecting participating cities and enabling them to learn from one another.

Three Core Areas of the FAO Green Cities Network

The FAO Green Cities Network promotes integrated solutions and strategies across three major areas.

1. Urban and Peri-Urban Forestry

Urban and peri-urban forestry is one of the central pillars of the Green Cities Network.

It focuses on the planning, management, protection and development of trees and forests in and around cities.

Urban trees can provide a wide range of environmental and social benefits. They can help cities respond to rising temperatures, improve air quality, create shade, support wildlife and increase access to green spaces.

Urban and peri-urban forests can include:

• Street trees.
• Public parks.
• Community forests.
• Urban woodlands.
• Trees around public buildings.
• Green corridors.
• Trees and vegetation in residential areas.
• Forested areas surrounding cities.

Effective urban forestry requires more than simply planting trees. Cities need to consider where trees should be planted, which species are appropriate, how trees will be maintained, how green spaces can be protected and how residents can participate in urban greening efforts.

Through integrated urban forestry strategies, cities can make their environments more resilient and improve the quality of life of their populations.

2. Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture

The second major area promoted by the Network is urban and peri-urban agriculture.

Urban agriculture refers broadly to food production and related agricultural activities taking place within cities, while peri-urban agriculture takes place in areas surrounding urban centres.

As cities expand, agricultural spaces near urban areas can become increasingly important for food systems.

Urban and peri-urban agriculture can contribute to:

• Local food production.
• Improved access to fresh food.
• Food security.
• Livelihood creation.
• Community participation.
• Sustainable use of urban land.
• Environmental improvement.
• Greater resilience of local food systems.

Urban agriculture can take many forms, including community gardens, rooftop gardens, small-scale farms and other food-growing initiatives adapted to urban environments.

When incorporated into urban planning, these approaches can help cities develop food systems that are more connected to local communities.

3. Sustainable Bioeconomy

The third core area is the sustainable bioeconomy.

A sustainable bioeconomy seeks to make responsible use of biological resources while supporting economic development and environmental sustainability.

Within the context of green cities, bioeconomy approaches can help cities explore how biological resources, organic materials and related processes can contribute to more sustainable economic and environmental systems.

This can involve encouraging approaches that reduce waste, use resources more efficiently and support environmentally responsible economic activities.

The objective is not simply economic growth, but growth that takes environmental limits and long-term sustainability into account.

Why the FAO Green Cities Network Matters

The FAO Green Cities Network is important because cities are increasingly becoming key locations for addressing global sustainability challenges.

Urban areas consume substantial amounts of resources and are closely connected to food, energy, transportation, housing, economic activity and environmental systems.

At the same time, cities can provide opportunities to implement solutions at scale.

A successful urban greening project can potentially benefit thousands or even millions of residents. Similarly, improvements to local food systems, urban forests and green infrastructure can have effects that extend beyond individual neighbourhoods.

The Green Cities Network therefore encourages cities to think about sustainability in an integrated way.

Rather than addressing food security, climate change, public health and biodiversity separately, cities can pursue strategies that contribute to several objectives simultaneously.

Benefits of Participating in the Green Cities Network

Cities involved in the Green Cities Network can benefit from being part of an international community focused on sustainable urban development. Some of the key benefits associated with the Network include:

Knowledge Exchange

Cities can share experiences, approaches and lessons learned from implementing urban greening initiatives. This can help local authorities understand what has worked in other locations and consider how successful approaches could be adapted to their own circumstances.

City-to-City Collaboration

The Network encourages collaboration between cities. City officials and other stakeholders can learn from peers working on similar challenges, potentially creating opportunities for cooperation and the exchange of practical knowledge.

Recognition of Successful Initiatives

The Network recognizes cities that demonstrate leadership in implementing innovative and successful greening initiatives. This recognition can help highlight effective urban sustainability practices and demonstrate what cities can achieve when environmental considerations are integrated into development planning.

Improved Urban Environments

The broader objective of the initiative is to contribute to healthier and more sustainable urban environments. Urban forests, agricultural initiatives and sustainable bioeconomy approaches can all contribute to improving the relationship between cities, people and nature.

Contribution to Community Well-Being

Green cities can provide residents with better access to nature, healthier environments and opportunities for recreation and community participation. Urban greening can therefore contribute not only to environmental objectives but also to people’s health and quality of life.

Connection Between the Green Cities Network and the Sustainable Development Goals

The FAO Green Cities Network contributes directly to the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Among the goals particularly connected to the initiative are:

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

Urban and peri-urban agriculture can contribute to food security by supporting local food production and strengthening urban food systems.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

Access to trees, parks and other green spaces can contribute to healthier urban environments and improve opportunities for recreation and well-being.

Reducing environmental pressures and improving the quality of urban surroundings can also contribute to healthier communities.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The Green Cities Network has a particularly strong connection to SDG 11 because its central focus is on creating more sustainable and resilient urban communities.

Urban forestry, sustainable agriculture and green infrastructure can all contribute to better-planned and more livable cities.

SDG 13: Climate Action

Trees, forests and other forms of urban vegetation can contribute to climate mitigation and adaptation. Green infrastructure can also help cities respond to challenges such as extreme heat and other climate-related pressures.

SDG 15: Life on Land

Urban and peri-urban forests and green spaces can provide habitats for plants and animals and contribute to biodiversity conservation.  Protecting and expanding urban nature can therefore help cities contribute to broader efforts to protect terrestrial ecosystems.

The Tree Cities of the World Connection

The FAO Green Cities Network includes cities affiliated through the joint FAO and Arbor Day Foundation Tree Cities of the World programme. Tree Cities of the World provides recognition to cities that demonstrate a commitment to maintaining and improving their urban forests. The connection between the two initiatives highlights the importance of trees and urban forestry within the wider movement toward greener cities. Cities interested in understanding which locations are part of the Tree Cities of the World programme can consult its city directory to explore participating cities.

Who Can Benefit From the FAO Green Cities Network?

The Green Cities Network is particularly relevant to cities and local authorities interested in developing sustainable urban policies and practical greening initiatives.

It can be relevant to stakeholders working in areas such as:

• Urban planning.
• Environmental management.
• Forestry.
• Agriculture.
• Food systems.
• Climate action.
• Biodiversity conservation.
• Public health.
• Sustainable development.
• Local economic development.
• Green infrastructure.
• Community development.

The initiative can also provide useful knowledge and examples for organizations, institutions, researchers and other stakeholders working with cities on sustainable development.

Why Integrated Urban Solutions Are Important

One of the most important aspects of the FAO Green Cities Network is its emphasis on integrated solutions.

Urban challenges are interconnected.

For example, climate change can increase temperatures in cities. Higher temperatures can affect human health and make urban areas less comfortable. Trees and green spaces can provide shade and help address urban heat while simultaneously supporting biodiversity and improving the appearance of neighbourhoods.

Likewise, urban agriculture can contribute to food production while providing livelihood opportunities and making productive use of available land.

This demonstrates why integrated approaches can be more effective than treating every urban challenge as a completely separate issue.

The Green Cities approach encourages cities to look for solutions capable of delivering several benefits at the same time.

The Vision for Greener Cities by 2030

The Green Cities Initiative’s goal of contributing to tangible improvements in 1,000 cities by 2030 demonstrates the scale of FAO’s ambition.

The objective is not simply to increase the number of trees or green spaces in cities. The broader vision is to improve the relationship between urban development, human well-being and the natural environment.

Achieving this vision requires cooperation among governments, local authorities, communities, technical experts and other stakeholders.

It also requires cities to consider sustainability when making decisions about land use, food systems, environmental management and urban development.

How the Green Cities Network Can Support Urban Transformation

The Network provides a framework through which cities can become part of a wider international movement for sustainable urban development.

Its approach can help cities:

1. Identify urban environmental challenges and consider how they affect residents and ecosystems.
2. Develop integrated strategies that connect environmental, social and economic objectives.
3. Promote urban and peri-urban forestry to expand and improve urban green spaces.
4. Strengthen urban food systems through urban and peri-urban agriculture.
5. Explore sustainable bioeconomy opportunities that support responsible resource use.
6. Exchange knowledge with other cities facing similar challenges.
7. Recognize and promote successful initiatives that demonstrate effective urban greening.
8. Contribute to global sustainability goals, particularly those related to food security, health, sustainable cities, climate action and biodiversity.

Is There a Deadline to Join the FAO Green Cities Network?

No specific application deadline is provided in the information supplied for this article. The Green Cities Initiative is a long-term programme with a target of supporting improvements in 1,000 cities by 2030, rather than a conventional short-term opportunity with a single closing date. Anyone interested in participation should consult the official FAO Green Cities Initiative and Green Cities Network information for the latest requirements, procedures and opportunities for engagement.

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Why Cities Should Pay Attention to the Green Cities Movement

The future of sustainable development will depend significantly on what happens in cities. As urban populations grow, cities will need to find ways to provide food, housing, economic opportunities and essential services while protecting natural resources and reducing environmental pressures. The FAO Green Cities Network demonstrates how urban areas can approach these challenges through nature-based and integrated solutions. Its focus on urban forestry, urban and peri-urban agriculture and sustainable bioeconomy creates opportunities to connect environmental protection with economic and social development. For cities looking to become more resilient, healthy and sustainable, participation in international knowledge-sharing networks can provide valuable access to ideas, experience and examples from other urban communities.

Conclusion

The FAO Green Cities Network represents an important global effort to transform cities into greener, healthier and more sustainable places to live and work. Through its three core areas — urban and peri-urban forestry, urban and peri-urban agriculture, and sustainable bioeconomy — the Network promotes solutions capable of delivering environmental, social and economic benefits simultaneously. With more than 300 cities already benefiting from the initiative and the broader Green Cities Initiative targeting tangible improvements in 1,000 cities by 2030, FAO is supporting a significant international movement toward more sustainable urban development. The Network also contributes to major global priorities, including the Sustainable Development Goals on zero hunger, health and well-being, sustainable cities, climate action and life on land. Ultimately, the FAO Green Cities Network demonstrates that cities can be part of the solution to global environmental and social challenges. By integrating trees, forests, agriculture, biodiversity and sustainable economic approaches into urban development, cities can create healthier communities while building greater resilience for the future.

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