Thriving wild pollinator populations are a prerequisite for healthy, resilient green spaces and urban ecosystems. They provide vital pollination services for 75% of the world’s main food crops and 85% of wild plants. Aside from the benefits to agriculture and the environment, multiple sectors, such as such as public health or industry, benefit directly or indirectly from the services of pollinators.
This guidance provides recommendations, good practices, and lessons from European cities that have succeeded in becoming more pollinator friendly. It includes tips and pointers for policy, plus practical steps to ensure the recovery of pollinators.
Recommendations for decision- and policy-makers focus on:
- Making formal commitments to protect and restore pollinator habitats
- Developing a pollinator-friendly city vision - ideally captured in a dedicated Local Pollinator Strategy or Plan.
- Setting concrete actions to integrate pollinator concerns into urban plans and sectoral policies.
- Channeling and tapping financial and human resources for pollinator-friendly measures.
- Fostering collaboration with other sectors and securing commitments.
- Promoting research on pollinators for evidence-based policies.
- Participating in awards that recognise pollinator conservation efforts.
Recommendations for practitioners at local authorities focus on:
- Preserving existing pollinator habitats
- Restoring, creating, and connecting pollinator habitats
- Raising awareness through community engagement and environmental education
- Monitoring urban pollinators