Photo: Elenise Sipinski ©
Biodiversity Condominium
The Biodiversity Condominium Program (ConBio), developed by SPVS and partners 23 years ago in Curitiba (PR) and the Metropolitan Region, promotes nature conservation in urban and peri-urban environments. The initiative involves efforts to guide private owners in conservation practices and to encourage the implementation of protected natural areas that will yield unique long-term results. To achieve this, the Program works in partnership with individuals and public and private organizations engaged in practices that ensure the conservation of natural resources and biodiversity.
Through its actions, the Program enhances the quality of life for the inhabitants of the municipality and its surroundings, contributes to achieving international goals and agreements, reduces the effects of climate change, increases the resilience of large urban centers, and contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ConBio in the conservation of ParanĂĄ's water sources
ConBio has initiated a new phase focusing on the conservation of the water sources that supply Greater Curitiba, the Serra do Mar, and the ParanĂĄ coast. The ParanĂĄ Sanitation Company (Sanepar*), responsible for water supply in the state, leads this work focusing on the river basins of IraĂ, Piraquara I and II, Miringuava – which supply Curitiba and the metropolitan region -, Rio do Melo, Saiguaçu, CambarĂĄ, Iporanga, Sambaqui, das Pombas, and Cerquinho – which supply the coast -, with special attention to their surrounding areas.
In addition to contributing to water security, the actions help mitigate the impacts of climate change and promote the strengthening of natural ecosystems – responsible for essential ecosystem services for the region and for the lives of all people, such as clean water and air, climate regulation, among others.
Over two years, the project will:
– Train over 300 public managers in conservation actions;
– Engage up to 50 private companies in nature protection;
– Stimulate municipal public policies in favor of environmental conservation;
– Expand public and private Conservation Units (CUs) in the region;
– Strengthen the Great Atlantic Forest Reserve, promoting coordination among local actors and communication actions, and other activities.
ââââ
Sanepar is the (state-owned mixed economy) agent responsible for water supply and basic sanitation in cities in the state of ParanĂĄ.
Photo: Reginaldo Ferreira ©
Photo: Elenise Sipinski ©
Why support the initiative?
By supporting the Program, the partner contributes to solutions for addressing the increasingly significant challenges of cities, especially those related to climate change. United Nations (UN) reports indicate that by 2050, about 77% of people will live in urban areas. This population increase needs to be aligned with biodiversity conservation strategies to mitigate the effects of extreme weather events, such as droughts or floods, combined with the unavailability of ecosystem services.
Supporters also have the opportunity to include these efforts in socio-environmental responsibility reports, for communication and awareness actions, and for scoring in certifications, such as the LIFE Certification. Participation in the Program also creates a channel that brings organizations closer to the Public Power and owners of natural areas, enabling long-term and large-scale results. These solutions represent an important competitive advantage and can be communicated even at international events, motivating other companies and decision-makers.
Photo: Reginaldo Ferreira ©
A global agenda that demands territorial actions
For a city to advance in its pursuit of sustainability, numerous indicators and goals have been established, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the commitments of the 2030 Agenda, which encompass a global action plan to promote a dignified life for the world population. Agreed upon by 193 UN member states, the document covers the three dimensions of sustainable development: social, environmental, and economic, which must be implemented by governments, the private sector, and every citizen committed to future generations.
ConBio proposes paths to achieve many of the proposed goals, as well as to fulfill the Paris Agreement â which mandates the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, with Brazil being one of the signatories. By proposing the protection of urban natural areas, the Program and its partners become allies in the conservation of important natural resources and ecosystem services, such as water springs, temperature control, and air quality, collaborating with Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), one of the innovative premises to be adopted by managers in investment decision-making to contain the advances of climate change and its socio-economic and environmental damages.
âMunicipalities and public agencies find in ConBio relevant information for the development of public policies. Knowing the reality, needs, and priorities of their municipalities’ environmental agenda, public managers are able, for example, to strengthen innovative mechanisms to encourage conservation.
âAdditionally, another direct benefit is for the owners of natural areas who find in the Program the technical support for managing their properties, an important collaboration to ensure that the actions developed in these areas are within appropriate parameters. They also provide space to create RPPNs and participate in conservation actions in partnership with other sectors.
âInterested in supporting or participating in the Program? Contact us to ask questions and evaluate how to start partnership proposals.
Photo: Reginaldo Ferreira ©
Initiative Results
ConBio’s methodology is considered a successful example of biodiversity conservation in urban environments to be replicated in different regions and realities. For this reason, the Program was presented during two editions of the world’s largest climate event, the United Nations Climate Conference (COP), in 2015, in Paris (France), and in 2017, in Bonn (Germany). In 2016, the Program also received the Hugo Werneck Award for Sustainability Love for Nature, in the category “best example of flora,” as well as 2nd place in the von Martius Sustainability Award.
âThese recognitions take into account the more than 1,500 public and private properties with native vegetation that received guidance on conservation management and the creation of Conservation Units. In the educational field, the Program involved over 3,400 public school teachers, produced dozens of informational materials that were distributed for free, and promoted various free courses for owners, students, and interested parties. Highlight for the âGuidelines for Biodiversity Conservation in the Metropolitan Region of Curitibaâ, a guiding document for innovative actions to be adopted by municipalities in municipal management to mitigate extreme weather events.
ConBio actively participated in the development of innovative public policies, such as the legal framework for Municipal Natural Heritage Private Reserves in Curitiba, which provides economic incentives for owners of native vegetation areas; the revision of Curitiba’s Municipal Environmental Policy and its advances in managing natural heritage in an integrated manner with the Metropolitan Region; and participation in the development of the Curitiba Climate Action Plan (PlanClima).
It also participated in the revision of Master Plans for several municipalities, providing technical advice on topics related to the Program. Its activities are also directly linked to the development and implementation of Payment for Environmental Services (PES) Programs in Piraquara and São José dos Pinhais, in the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba, and the formation of the ODS Commission in Piraquara, which brings together different representatives from municipal councils to discuss the 2030 Agenda in the territory.
Photo: Reginaldo Ferreira ©
Meet those who
support the project's actions
