Just a couple of days ago in March 2018 the new Paris Biodiversity Plan 2018-2024 was adopted. Among other strategies concrete actions include 20 new biodiverse public spaces until 2020, as well as an atlas of Paris nature published. Until 2012 40% of the ground surfaces shall be made permeable. More info: https://www.paris.fr/biodiversite

Download the Paris Biodiversity Plan 2018-2024 (4 page outline in French only so far).

This is not the first plan for biodiversity in the French captial. After signing the Regional Charter for Biodiversity in 2004 Paris had already 55 exterior green walls in 2006 and 90 public buildings with green roofs (36.000m2) in 2010. In 2012 Paris had more than 100.000 trees, many of them planted after the late 1990s. (Beatley, T: Green Cities of Europe, Global Lessons on Green Urbanism, 2012)

The first Paris Biodiversity Plan was adopted in 2011. It already emphasized knowledge gathering and information, the sustainable management of green spaces, supporting the creation of green roofs and walls, the protection of ecological corridors, and regional cooperation. In 2015 Paris counted 637 species of flora, and 1.300 species of fauna, including 28 mammals and 66 breeding bird species.

The 2011 plan was set up in a participative manner: “all actors must be mobilized”. (Portrait of Biodiversity in Paris, 2016). Why Paris engaged in a Biodiversity Plan? “In the very dense and highly urbanized Paris context the presence of nature in the city improves the living environment and health of the inhabitants, and contributes to reducing heat islands and pollution.”