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Annex
This part of the study showcases successful examples of urban food tree integration from around the world. These case studies allow to identify opportunities challenges and best practices for implementing similar initiatives.
Acknowledgments
The following publication was prepared under the guidance of the UNECE Forest and Bioeconomy Section and funded by the 14th tranche of the UN Development Account project “Food-Water-Energy nexus support to post-COVID-19 recovery in Eastern Europe Western Balkans Central Asia the Middle East and Africa”.
Key takeaways
Planting urban food trees (Photo 13) represents a significant paradigm shift in urban environments.
Background
This guide is designed to help local and national officials implement integrated nature-based solutions for enhancing food resilience in urban areas. It focuses on the strategic use of fruit-bearing trees (“food trees”) as a key component of sustainable and resilient urban ecosystems and provides general recommendations. Local knowledge conditions laws and regulations always need to be considered when planning a food tree project.
Navigating the legal landscape: Land rights, ownership and urban food tree projects
Scarce open land is in high demand leading to competition and potential conflicts between different interests. State institutions play a role in regulating land use and mitigating these conflicts.
The Edible City: Why Food Trees Matter
More Than Just Shade: The Benefits of Nature-based Solutions for More Resilient Cities
This guide is designed to help local and national officials implement integrated nature-based solutions for enhancing food resilience in urban areas. By strategically integrating fruit-bearing trees “food trees” into city landscapes the guide promotes healthier more sustainable and shock-resistant urban ecosystems. While urban forestry and greening initiatives often focus on environmental social and economic benefits the potential of productive trees in urban spaces to strengthen local food systems is frequently overlooked. These trees are often seen as more of a challenge than a solution and this perception is reflected in urban planning and policies. Despite challenges related to governance policy space and maintenance these trees offer untapped potential for creating greener more equitable cities. The guide's key focus is on developing methodologies to enhance food security through integrated solutions while also exploring policy frameworks and practical steps for embedding food trees in urban environments. The practical and policy guidance provided in this guide is designed to support collaboration and planning efforts related to the integration of urban food trees. By fostering cross-sectoral collaboration this resource is intended for policymakers practitioners and private sector entities involved in implementing advanced strategies and identifying best practices. The guide aims to facilitate the development of necessary policies and regulatory frameworks to drive progress in this area and establishing sustainable resilient and food secure cities for all.
Introduction: The importance of urban food trees
This guide encourages urban and national policymakers planners and gardeners to embrace the benefits of urban food trees.
A greener city: Integrating food trees into urban landscapes
Who decides to plant and cultivate urban food trees and who benefits from their products? Conversely why do some individuals choose not to plant urban food trees or consume their produce?
Beyond the harvest: The social, cultural and educational benefits of urban food trees
Urban food trees and gardens offer attractive spaces for community gatherings and nature exploration. These spaces allow people to discover and taste foods providing a connection to the origins and growth of these foods.
Growing a greener future: A guide to urban food tree projects
Urban food tree projects offer a multifaceted approach to improving city landscapes and addressing social environmental and economic needs. These projects provide not only fresh locally sourced produce but also significant ecological benefits.
Foreword
Over the past year the toll from environmental crises like climate change biodiversity loss and pollution has continued to rise devastating communities countries and entire regions.
The State of Sustainable Markets 2024
Statistics and Emerging Trends
This eighth global report provides new insights into the evolution of certified agriculture and forestry. The International Trade Centre has teamed up once again with the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture and the International Institute for Sustainable Development to provide data on 13 major sustainability standards for bananas cocoa coffee cotton oil palm soybeans sugarcane tea and forestry products. This year’s report adds data from 2022 and finds that growth continued after an unusual dip in 2020. The publication helps shape decisions of policymakers producers and businesses working to address systemic labour and environmental challenges through certified sustainable production.
About the report
This eighth global report provides new insights into the evolution of certified agriculture and forestry.
Executive summary
Sustainability standards have become an essential component of global trade driving the transition to more ethical environmentally conscious and socially responsible economic practices.
Project partners
The International Trade Centre founded in 1964 is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. Its aim is for businesses in developing countries to become more competitive in global markets to speed up economic development and to contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.