The Green Cities Initiative focuses on improving the urban environment, strengthening urban-rural linkages and the resilience of urban food systems, services and populations to external shocks. By ensuring access to a healthy environment and healthy diets from sustainable agrifood systems, increasing the availability of green spaces through urban and peri-urban forestry, the initiative also contributes to climate change mitigation and adaptation. A "Green Cities Network" will allow cities of all sizes - from small, intermediary and metropolitan cities - to share experiences, best practices, successes and lessons learned, as well as building opportunities for city-to-city cooperation.
In September 2020, FAO launched its Green Cities Initiative aimed at improving the livelihoods and well-being of urban and peri-urban populations in at least 100 cities around the world in the next three years, looking to have 1000 cities join by 2030.