Belém, in Pará, is advancing its sustainability strategy with the presentation of the main results of the Ecosystem Services Diagnosis (ESD), developed by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability within the scope of the NBCities project. 

Funded by the Global EbA Fund and implemented by ICLEI South America in partnership with the Municipality of Belém, the Nature-Based Cities: Biodiversity and Climate Resilience in Urban Development (NBCities) project involved mapping ecosystem services and analyzing climate risks and vulnerabilities for Belém, allowing the identification of critical areas for planning strategic actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. 

The DSE reinforces the importance of urban and peri-urban ecosystems in climate regulation, the provision of natural resources, and the offering of leisure and cultural spaces for the population. The study offers a detailed view of the benefits that nature provides to the city, such as climate regulation and biodiversity conservation, in addition to addressing the threats to local ecosystems and biodiversity.

This initiative gains even more relevance given Belém's role as host of COP 30 – the World Climate Conference – in 2025. It will be the first time that a city in the Amazon, a biome that harbors 10% of the world's biodiversity, will host the event, highlighting the region's importance to the global climate agenda.

At COP 16 on Biodiversity, held in October 2024 in Cali, Colombia, ICLEI presented the illustrated booklet of the Belém DSE., available in the website library. This material brings together the Ecosystem Services Diagnostic Map and the Critical Climate Risk Map, resulting from the Climate Risk and Vulnerability Analysis (CRVA), presenting the main technical evidence and local perceptions. The document is an important tool for environmental education and strategic communication, promoting engagement for the city's climate resilience.

The Belém DSE (Special Development Strategy) was officially presented at an event held in Belém on December 9, 2025, during the launch of the city's Local Climate Action Plan, marking a milestone in strengthening public policies focused on urban sustainability and climate adaptation. The meeting brought together local authorities, experts, and strategic partners to discuss the environmental challenges and opportunities facing the municipality.

The Ecosystem Services Diagnosis (ESD) plays an essential role in the city, providing strategic information about the benefits that nature offers and the threats to these systems. Based on this study, Belém can improve its public policies and move towards sustainable, equitable, and nature-based development. With these advances, the city strengthens its position as a benchmark in climate and environmental governance and prepares to host COP 30, consolidating its leadership position in the Amazon's environmental agenda.

For more information on how ICLEI can collaborate with your region, please visit our portfolio and contact our team by email: [email protected]