The State of Nature in Local Spending and Fiscal Priorities: How cities can track nature-based investments

Working with the UN Environmental Programme Cities Unit and Generation Restoration cities, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania investigated the State of Finance for Nature in Cities, highlighting the need for better data and tools to help cities integrate Nature based Solutions (NbS) into their financial and planning frameworks. Initial results were published in 2024 and preliminary profile testing was conducted for all 24 Generation Restoration Cities 2025.

Investments in urban nature and nature-based adaptation solutions are undervalued and undercounted. When investments are undercounted, they are less likely to be considered high-value, cost-effective spending priorities for limited resources. By mapping and tracking types of nature investments in cities and across city budgets, practitioners can better understand the role of nature in their mission, objectives and services, and more effectively advocate for further investments.

During the I4Cities session, we will present the methodology and framework as well as the lessons learned from the 24 profiles created for the Generation Restoration Cities