Benefits of Urban Greening
Harnessing the Power of Plants
PLAC-BH uses the Green methodology Climate Cities (GCC)1, developed by ICLEI, to carry out climate compliance projects, providing tools, instruments, best practices and support for process management. This methodology makes use of data produced by, and organises the work developed by, several systems of the city which deal with climate change, such as:
- Municipal Committee on Climate Change and Ecoefficiency (2006);
- Municipal Mitigation Policy of the Effects of Climate Change (2011);
- Emissions Reduction Plan of Greenhouse Gases -PREGEE (2013);
- Climate Change Vulnerability Analysis (2016);
- Urban-Leds II (2017 – 2021);
- 5th Emissions Inventory GEE (2021);
- Leds Lab (2021);
- Climate Change and Air Quality Policy (2023).
Delivering Multiple Benefits
Areas of environmental interest and protection, such as green areas, are important for capturing greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, reducing polluting gasses and adapting to the adverse effects of climate change, and are directly linked to urban redesign strategies in order to increase resilience to the occurrence of extreme events. The presence of trees and significant vegetation in cities, in an adequate manner, helps to mitigate the temperature and the local climate, increases the humidity of the air and provides greater soil permeability.
In addition to improving microclimate conditions, trees also have a double role to play in reducing the impact of extreme rainfall. Its trunk and canopy act as physical barriers to flooding, reducing the speed of water, while its roots are able to increase and improve water drainage capacity and quality (MASCARELLO et al, 2017). Urban afforestation therefore contributes directly to reducing the challenge imposed on the drainage system during extreme rainfall and is an important element in reducing flooding. Thus, vegetation is a key point for climate action and improving the population’s quality of life.
Furthermore, areas of environmental interest and protection are also important for maintaining biodiversity and the wellbeing of wild animals that live in cities, such as owls, parrots, monkeys and insects. These animals take shelter in green areas because they find a cooler and safer environment for them to stay.
The City’s Bold and Innovative Vision
Belo Horizonte is a city with a long history of commitment to environmental issues. This not only translates into the work of the Municipal Secretariat of Environment, but also through the Municipal Secretariats of Urban Policy, Food Security Policy, Economic Development, and the municipal transport and traffic company, BHTrans. PLAC is innovative because it brings together and organises a series of guidelines to be taken by the public administration, creating cohesion in the activities carried out and, consequently, generating norms in a system of governance for the city.
Partnerships and Collaboration
The preparation of the PLAC was carried out jointly between the City of Belo Horizonte, through its Municipal Environment Secretariat and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.
Addressing Urban Challenges
The Issue
Belo Horizonte is home to around 2.7 million people, which represents about 12% of the population of the state of Minas Gerais. The biomes present in the region that makes up the municipality are the Cerrado and the Atlantic Forest, both of which are at risk due to the inadequate exploitation of natural resources in Brazil. Belo Horizonte’s administration has an environmental agenda defined in a series of agreements and studies already carried out in the city. The city government recognises that this is a period of climate emergency.
Given the city’s commitment to the agenda of environmental preservation and mitigation of the effects of climate change, PLAC-BH presents itself as another instrument within the network of policies and programmes already developed in Belo Horizonte. It seeks to point the way for the city to adapt to the effects of climate change in order to minimise the possible loss of life, material and immaterial goods caused by extreme weather events.
The Impact of the Issue
Belo Horizonte recognises that this is a moment of climate emergency, and that measures must be taken now in order to truly mitigate the issue and prevent further climate and environmental disasters in the region and elsewhere.
A Nature Oriented Future
The Local Climate Action Plan brings together a series of actions, organized according to their time horizon. The short-term actions are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024, the medium-term actions, aligned with the New Urban Agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, are scheduled to be completed by 2023, and the long-term actions, mainly aligned with the resolutions of the Paris Agreement, should be resolved by the year 2050.
Nature Positive Solutions
Implementation
The launch of the Belo Horizonte Local Climate Action Plan (PLAC) at the end of 2022 represents a significant step towards the effectiveness of climate governance. This plan, the result of technical studies and long-standing projects, establishes a strategic roadmap addressing climate issues until 2030. The presence of a strong organisational structure is crucial to coordinate and oversee the implementation of the goals and actions outlined in the PLAC. It is essential to highlight the integration of the PLAC-BH with crucial urban management and planning documents, such as the Master Plan, sectoral plans for Housing, Sanitation, Urban Mobility and Contingency Plans, among others. This aspect is fundamental because it ensures that the climate actions proposed in the PLAC-BH are not isolated, but are integrated into a broader and more robust institutional framework. The synergy between the PLAC-BH and these management and planning documents is crucial for multiplying the results of climate actions. By integrating specific measures for climate mitigation and adaptation into master plans and sectoral plans, Belo Horizonte is ensuring that future urban development is more resilient and sustainable. Furthermore, PLAC-BH also incorporates the concept of climate justice, aiming to address the burdens of the climate emergency more equitably. This means that the plan is concerned with protecting segments of the population in greater vulnerability, recognising that climate change can disproportionately affect marginalised and economically disadvantaged groups.
Feasibility
The integration of budgetary guidelines with the objectives of climate governance implies the allocation of specific financial resources for projects and initiatives related to combating the effects of climate change. This means that climate actions are not just an environmental concern but also a financial priority. The inclusion of budgetary guidelines in this context makes climate-related projects inherently more viable, as the necessary financial resources are allocated in a planned and consistent manner. This also helps ensure the effective implementation of goals set in plans such as the Belo Horizonte Local Climate Action Plan (PLAC-BH), mentioned earlier. Additionally, by considering climate governance in budgetary guidelines, the city of Belo Horizonte is demonstrating its commitment to addressing climate change in a holistic and sustainable manner. It is incorporating this concern into its financial and strategic planning, while also overcoming issues related to political commitment by establishing a budget within the annual legislation and consolidating the actions in decrees, ordinances and municipal laws.
Multi-Stakeholder Support
The Belo Horizonte Local Climate Action Plan (PLAC-BH) is an initiative that transcends the boundaries of municipal departments, addressing the climate issue in a cross-cutting manner. This means that PLAC-BH involves various municipal departments that discuss the climate issue within their respective agendas, recognising the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to address climate change. Furthermore, PLAC-BH seeks support from international organisations and potential stakeholders. These partners play a crucial role in providing resources, knowledge and expertise, thereby strengthening the city’s capacity to implement effective climate actions. This collaborative and interdisciplinary approach not only increases synergy across sectors but also multiplies the benefits of climate action. It allows the city to leverage different perspectives and resources from various stakeholders, creating a more holistic and effective approach to addressing climate change. The active involvement of diverse municipal departments, international organisations, and other stakeholders is essential for the success of the PLAC and, by extension, for the resilience and sustainability of Belo Horizonte.
Management and Maintenance
The city of Belo Horizonte employs a diverse set of indicators for monitoring the quality of life. These indicators include the 2012 Health Vulnerability Index, the indicators from the 2017 Intersectoral Municipal Policy for Assistance to the Homeless Population, the Urban Quality of Life Index (IQVU) updated in 2016, the Local Monitoring System of Sustainable Development Goals Indicators, and the results of monitoring the quality of springs and areas within the “Adoro BH” programme. The Local Climate Action Plan (PLAC) connected these indicators together to serve as a methodological instrument aligned with the logic of mitigating and adapting to international climate policies. The PLAC aims to ensure the comprehensive implementation of measures, including effective monitoring, management and governance, all in accordance with global guidelines. Also, the PLAC incorporates sustainability indicators to assess and measure progress toward established climate goals. It also includes a risk analysis that provides clear insight into the predictability of challenges that may arise along the way. In summary, the PLAC is an essential tool grounded in international principles for climate mitigation and adaptation. It promotes comprehensive and transparent measures while integrating sustainability indicators and accounting for risk analysis as part of its strategy. This approach, combined with the diverse range of quality of life indicators already in use, reflects Belo Horizonte’s commitment to holistic and sustainable development.
Measuring and Reporting Impact
Monitoring Results
The Climate Indicator Monitoring Panel aims to facilitate the monitoring, dissemination and discussion of climate policy in the city, with the goal of updating and consolidating existing indicators and introducing new ones. It seeks to promote discussions about urban development and urban living, encompassing parameters such as the wellbeing of the population, its prosperity, quality of life and the environmental quality of the city. This qualitative panel is intended to shed light on the relationship between the citizens of Belo Horizonte and the municipality, offering insights into pathways for a more positive and healthy urban living experience for the population. The panel should be made accessible through public digital platforms, providing easy access to the monitored variables and their results.
To carry out this Climate Indicator Monitoring Panel, it was suggested to establish a Study Group that includes participants from all sectors of society, including the public sector, private sector, civil society and academia. This group can identify both existing and new indicators related to air quality, noise pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, climate justice, and climate and socio-economic vulnerability. It can also include indicators such as the Municipal Happiness and Success Index (“BH Mais Feliz”), the Millennium Observatory/SDG Indicator Panel, the Green and Vegetated Area Index, among others.
Demonstrating Progress
The Local Climate Action Plan (PLAC) is built upon a solid foundation of municipal climate indicators, including historical data series. It also relies on risk assessments, ongoing indicator review plans, and the use of green infrastructure maps in Belo Horizonte, along with sustainable urbanisation practices based on geospatial management. The PLAC serves as a fundamental guiding framework for actions related to climate change in the city. These indicators not only provide a retrospective view of the climate situation but also empower the city to make future projections. These projections, in turn, can attract specific partners interested in engaging in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts in Belo Horizonte.
Measuring Impact
OOne of the main results of the process was the definition of three strategic pillars for PLAC-BH: More Voices, Less Inequality; More Life, Less Vulnerability; and More Green, Less Emissions. It was also through the participatory process that the criteria for prioritising actions were chosen based on the five pathways of ICLEI: low-carbon development, nature-based development, equitable and people-centred development, resilient development and circular development. The Climate Indicator Monitoring Panel aims to promote the monitoring, dissemination and discussion of climate policy in the city, aiming to update and consolidate existing indicators while also creating new ones. The goal is to foster a discussion about urban development and living conditions, encompassing parameters such as the wellbeing of the population, their prosperity and quality of life, and the environmental quality of the city. This qualitative panel should indicate the relationship between the citizens of Belo Horizonte and the municipality, pointing towards pathways for a more positive and healthy urban experience for the population. The panel should be made available on public digital platforms, ensuring easy access and including the monitored variables and obtained results.
Learning and Transferability
Adaption and Enhancement
The PLAC-BH initiative has undergone amendments and enhancements throughout its design and implementation to improve its effectiveness and responsiveness to the evolving climate challenges in Belo Horizonte. These changes have been made in response to the monitoring of progress and input from various external stakeholders. Here are some key ways in which the initiative has evolved. As the initiative progressed, the specific actions under each of the three strategic pillars (More Voices, Less Inequality; More Life, Less Vulnerability; More Green, Less Emissions) have been refined and adjusted. This refinement often comes from ongoing data analysis and feedback from stakeholders, which have played a crucial role in providing insights. Their contributions have helped identify blind spots and ensure that the initiative addresses the most pressing issues. Overall, the success of the PLAC-BH initiative has been greatly enhanced by its ability to flexibly respond to changing conditions and incorporate the input of external stakeholders. This adaptability and responsiveness are essential for addressing complex and evolving challenges related to climate change and sustainability. By continuously monitoring progress and engaging with diverse stakeholders, the initiative can remain effective and aligned with the city’s evolving needs and priorities.
Potential for Replication
In summary, the initiative has created a ripple effect by promoting knowledge transfer, fostering collaboration, influencing policies, engaging the community, and even leading to positive changes. It has not only reshaped the way the city and its partners work with environmental attributes but has also contributed to a broader shift toward more sustainable and environmentally conscious urban development practices. Belo Horizonte’s Mobility Plan (PlanMob) outlines short, medium and long-term measures, including actions to be taken until 2030, as well as permanent initiatives. Among the actions outlined in the plan, only one specifically addresses urban forestry, focusing on vegetation management in central medians to prevent potential traffic accidents. Additionally, Belo Horizonte still holds the recognition of “City of Gardens,” a designation received in its early decades due to the urban design of the city irradiating from green areas and squares, while also deploying extensive roadside tree cover. This aspect constitutes the city’s identity and is considered a heritage of the population. Therefore, it is essential that the existing urban forestry is taken into account as a parameter in projects to minimise tree removal.
Inspiring Other Cities
Belo Horizonte has been playing a pioneering role in the Brazilian scenario by developing PLAC-BH as an environmental governance solution. Being one of the first, to implement such an initiative in the country, the city is taking the lead in climate and environmental matters. The success of PLAC-BH can serve as an inspiring example and a valuable reference for other cities looking to develop similar plans. In this regard, Belo Horizonte seeks to collaborate with other cities that share similar interests in climate and environmental issues, leading to the establishment of a network of cities committed to climate action. The partnership with ICLEI and the fostering of further cooperation with other entities such as the Cities4Forests, WRI Brazil and IUCN Cities Alliance should provide further enhancement of the plan as well as more extensive communication of our achievements and outreach for broader city-to-city cooperation opportunities.
Resilience
Reducing Negative Impacts and Ensuring Sustainability
As actions proposed by PLAC-BH aim to drive the local climate agenda, making Belo Horizonte a city that is carbon-neutral and resilient to climate change. These actions include innovative initiatives that strengthen its climate governance, with plans and activities focused on Climate Justice, participation and social control, and improving environmental quality for the local population. The Climate Action Plan for Belo Horizonte (PLAC-BH) increases the ambition of initiatives already developed by the municipality, such as those of the PREGEE, and strives for climate compliance by joining the Race to Zero campaign, which sets a target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. To achieve these goals, the Local Climate Action Plan for Belo Horizonte projects emissions and the potential for greenhouse gas emission reductions within the municipality. It builds upon projections made under the PREGEE, encompassing the Business As Usual (BAU) scenario and emission projections for the energy, sanitation and mobility sectors. However, to ensure an ambitious carbon-neutral scenario, this Plan adds new mitigation and emissions removal perspectives based on PLAC-BH actions. As a result, it is estimated that by 2030, the city has the potential to reduce emissions by 46% compared to the BAU scenario, 74% by 2040 and 88% by 2050.
Environmental Considerations
Belo Horizonte has been establishing itself as a reference point for the state of Minas Gerais and the country by incorporating NBS guidelines into its policy framework, as approved in the 2019 Master Plan. The municipality of Belo Horizonte also has an Environmental Sustainability Certification Programme, known as the “Selo BH Sustentável,” aimed at businesses and developments that adopt measures such as reducing water and energy consumption, atmospheric emissions and solid waste generation. It also encourages recycling and reusing generated waste. This certification, therefore, can complement the implementation of NBS. All infrastructure projects, land development, revitalisation of valleys and degraded areas, as well as integrated urbanisation in socially relevant areas, whether carried out by the public or private sector, are guided by the principles of the green-blue network. These principles are based on establishing vegetation and preserving water resources both quantitatively and qualitatively. Belo Horizonte is committed to integrating NBS into its policies and initiatives, along with the sustainability certification programme, which can be seen in the PLAC-BH – the goal is to facilitate cross-sector cooperation within the municipality to ensure that future projects and initiatives are in accordance with the principles of the Green-Blue Network, Nature-Based Solutions, biodiversity criteria and vegetation preservation. This involves the implementation of a training programme and discussion forums aimed at supporting this objective, commencing in 2023.
Use of Natural Resources
The “More Green, Less Emissions” axis is one of the central pillars of the Local Climate Action Plan of Belo Horizonte, and it directly addresses the predictability of environmental impacts. In this context, Environmental interest and protection areas, such as green spaces, play a vital role in capturing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, reducing pollutant emissions and adapting to the adverse effects of climate change. They are directly linked to urban redesign strategies to enhance resilience in the face of extreme events. The presence of trees and significant vegetation in cities, when appropriately managed, helps mitigate local temperatures, improve air humidity and increase soil permeability. Trees, in particular, have a dual role in reducing the impact of heavy rainfall. Thus, urban tree cover directly contributes to reducing the burden on drainage systems during heavy rains and is a critical element in flood reduction. In this way, vegetation is a pivotal element for climate action and enhancing the quality of life for the population. Additionally, environmental interest and protection areas are essential for maintaining biodiversity balance and the wellbeing of wildlife inhabiting cities, such as owls, parrots, monkeys and insects. These animals seek refuge in green areas as they offer a cooler and safer environment for their habitation.
