References

Original Reference: Hunter, D., et al. 2020. Biodiversity, food and nutrition: A new agenda for sustainable food systems. Routledge.

Brief Summary: This book explores the intersection of biodiversity, food systems, and sustainable development, emphasizing the importance of local food systems and biodiversity conservation. Implications: Local food systems are critical for both rural and urban sustainability. Recommendations: RAPs should integrate biodiversity into food systems by promoting local agriculture, supporting agroecology, and linking rural food producers with urban markets to enhance sustainability and food security.

URL: https://www.routledge.com/Biodiversity-Food-and-Nutrition-A-New-Agenda-for-Sustainable-Food-Systems/Hunter-Borelli-Gee/p/book/9780367141516

Original Reference: ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Centre is based in the ICLEI Africa Regional Secretariat and has been helping cities and subnational governments mainstream biodiversity in action plans

Brief Summary: The BSAP guidelines provide best practices for integrating biodiversity and sustainable agriculture into regional development strategies. Implications: Sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation are vital for rural and urban areas. Recommendations: RAPs should incorporate sustainable agricultural practices that enhance biodiversity, support ecosystem services, and promote partnerships between urban and rural regions to improve food systems and environmental outcomes.

URL: https://cbc.iclei.org/project/bsap-guidelines/

Original Reference: IIED report, “Mainstreaming biodiversity: Guidance from African experience, 2012–2017.”

Brief Summary: This paper explores the challenges and opportunities presented by rapid urbanization in Africa, focusing on the impact on rural livelihoods and environmental sustainability. Implications: Rapid urbanization threatens rural livelihoods but also presents opportunities for sustainable rural-urban cooperation. Recommendations: RAPs should address the challenges of urbanization by promoting sustainable livelihoods in rural areas, improving infrastructure, and fostering rural-urban cooperation to manage environmental and economic pressures.

URL: https://pubs.iied.org/17446IIED/

Original Reference: OECD programme on a territorial approach to the SDGs

Brief Summary: This approach emphasizes using territorial strategies to localize the SDGs. Implications: Rural-urban linkages are crucial for achieving the SDGs. Recommendations: Integrate territorial SDG targets into RAPs, ensuring collaboration between rural and urban areas for mutual benefits​.

URL: https://www.oecd.org/cfe/territorial-approach-sdgs.htm

Original Reference: UNCCD. Definition of land degradation neutrality from decision 3/COP.12.

Brief Summary: This initiative aims to achieve land degradation neutrality by restoring degraded land and preventing further degradation. Implication: PoliRuralPlus pilots should prioritize land restoration in rural areas as a key strategy for maintaining ecosystem services and supporting urban areas.

URL: https://www.unccd.int/actions/achieving-land-degradation-neutrality

Original Reference: CitiesWithNature is a platform for shared commitment to integrate nature in an urban world.

Brief Summary: This platform supports cities in integrating nature into urban environments, promoting biodiversity and nature-based solutions to enhance urban resilience. Implications: NBS can strengthen rural-urban environmental connections by improving ecosystem health and resilience in both regions. Recommendations: Include NBS in regional action plans to enhance biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Foster partnerships between rural and urban areas to develop and implement NBS that benefit both ecosystems and communities.

URL: Cities with Nature

Original Reference: https://citieswithnature.org

Brief Summary: This initiative supports cities in developing nature-based solutions (NBS) to enhance urban resilience. Recommendations: PoliRuralPlus should incorporate NBS to foster environmental sustainability across rural and urban areas. Collaborative projects between rural and urban stakeholders can promote resilience through green infrastructure and ecosystem services​.

URL: https://citieswithnature.org

Original Reference: https://iclei.org/en/CITYFOOD_Network.html

Brief Summary: This network supports sustainable urban food systems through policy innovation and collaboration. Implications: Urban food policies can benefit rural producers by strengthening rural-urban food linkages. Recommendations: Encourage collaboration between urban areas and rural food producers in RAPs to promote sustainable food systems and local supply chains​.

URL: https://iclei.org/en/CITYFOOD_Network.html

Original Reference: Climate Action Regional Offices

Brief Summary: CARO supports local governments in Ireland in developing and implementing climate adaptation strategies at the regional level. Implications: Rural and urban areas need coordinated efforts to address climate risks. Recommendations: Regional action plans should include climate adaptation strategies developed by CARO, fostering collaboration between rural and urban stakeholders to build resilience to climate change. Leverage CARO's frameworks for disaster preparedness, flood management, and carbon reduction in both rural and urban settings.

URL: Climate Action Regional Offices (CARO)

Original Reference: Bonn, A. et al. (Eds.) (2016). Peatland restoration and ecosystem services: science, policy and practice. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press

Brief Summary: Examines the geography of development and its impact on rural-urban disparities. PoliRuralPlus should focus on reducing regional inequalities through targeted development strategies​.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139177788

Original Reference: Shames, S., and Scherr, S. 2019. Achieving climate change adaptation through integrated landscape management. Rotterdam and Washington, DC. Global Commission on Adaptation. Climate change adaptation at landscape scale: Naivasha Lake Basin, Kenya.

Brief Summary: This document provides guidance on achieving climate change adaptation through integrated landscape management. Implications: Climate resilience is a critical factor for rural-urban sustainability. Recommendations: Incorporate climate adaptation strategies in RAPs through integrated landscape management approaches.

URL: https://cdn.gca.org/assets/2020-03/Achieving_Climate_Change_Adaptation_Through_Integrated_Landscape_Management_-_Feb_2020.pdf

Original Reference: EPA Climate Ireland

Brief Summary: Climate Ireland provides tools and data for climate adaptation planning. RAPs should focus on incorporating climate adaptation strategies into regional development to protect both rural and urban regions from climate risks. PoliRuralPlus pilots can leverage these tools to enhance climate resilience across rural-urban linkages.

URL: https://www.climateireland.ie/

Original Reference: Climate Adapt

Brief Summary: Climate-ADAPT provides information on climate adaptation strategies across Europe, helping regions plan for climate resilience. Implications: Climate adaptation is essential for maintaining sustainable rural-urban linkages in the face of climate risks. Recommendations: Include climate adaptation strategies from Climate-ADAPT in regional action plans, focusing on fostering resilience through sustainable land use, water management, and disaster preparedness. Promote rural-urban cooperation on climate resilience initiatives, such as flood defenses and ecosystem-based adaptation.

URL: Climate-ADAPT

Original Reference: Climate Smart

Brief Summary: This platform promotes climate-smart agricultural practices that reduce emissions, improve resilience, and boost productivity in rural areas. Implications: Sustainable agriculture is key to ensuring resilient rural-urban food systems. Recommendations: Regional action plans should incorporate climate-smart agricultural practices to enhance food security, promote sustainable land use, and reduce environmental impacts. Encourage cooperation between rural farmers and urban consumers to create resilient, sustainable food systems that serve both regions.

URL: Climate-Smart Agriculture

Original Reference: COBIOCOM. Bio-cultural corridor of West Central Mexico. 2019.

Brief Summary: COBIOCOM focuses on conserving biodiversity through community-based management strategies, involving both rural and urban populations. Implications: Biodiversity conservation is essential for both rural and urban sustainability, contributing to climate resilience and ecological balance. Recommendations: Regional action plans should prioritize biodiversity conservation efforts, fostering rural-urban collaboration in managing natural resources, protecting ecosystems, and restoring degraded landscapes. Encourage participatory approaches that engage communities in conservation efforts.

URL: COBIOCOM Biodiversity Conservation

Original Reference: UN Standing Committee on Nutrition. 2020. Urban-rural linkages for nutrition: Territorial approaches for sustainable development. Rome.

Brief Summary: This collection presents examples of successful urban-rural linkages across various global contexts. Implication: PoliRuralPlus should analyze and adopt best practices from these case studies to strengthen its pilot programs focused on enhancing rural-urban interactions.

URL: https://urbanrurallinkages.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/compendium-of-url-case-studies_web-vers-2020.pdf

Original Reference: FAO, Rome, and UN-Habitat. 2020. Covid-19 through the lens of urban rural linkages–Guiding principles and framework for action (URL-GP). UN-Habitat issue brief. UN-Habitat, Nairobi.

Brief Summary: Explores how COVID-19 highlighted the need for stronger urban-rural connections, especially in terms of health services, food security, and mobility. Implications: Improved infrastructure and service delivery between rural and urban areas is critical. Recommendations: RAPs should strengthen rural-urban supply chains, healthcare access, and digital connectivity.

URL: UN-Habitat COVID-19 Lens on Urban-Rural Linkages

Original Reference: EAT Forum

Brief Summary: The EAT Forum discusses the need for transforming food systems to ensure sustainability. RAPs should emphasize local food production and sustainable agricultural practices that connect rural producers with urban markets. PoliRuralPlus can integrate food system reforms to boost rural economies while ensuring environmental sustainability.

URL: https://eatforum.org

Original Reference: EcoAgriculture Partners and their landscape initiatives

Brief Summary: EcoAgriculture focuses on integrating agriculture with ecosystem conservation. RAPs should promote sustainable farming practices that enhance biodiversity and protect natural resources. PoliRuralPlus pilots can use these insights to foster balanced agricultural development while preserving ecosystems in rural-urban regions.

URL: https://ecoagriculture.org

Original Reference: Gann, G.D., et al. 2019. International principles and standards for the practice of ecological restoration. Restoration Ecology 27(S1).

Brief Summary: Focuses on restoration ecology and its role in improving rural environmental health. Implications: Environmental restoration is key to ensuring the sustainability of rural ecosystems and their integration with urban areas. Recommendations: RAPs should incorporate ecological restoration projects to enhance biodiversity, land productivity, and rural resilience to environmental changes.

URL: Restoration Ecology Journal