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Kobe City has launched the 'Forest Future City Kobe' project to enhance urban green spaces and promote a circular economy. The initiative aims to expand protected areas and support biodiversity, with Kobe being the first city in Japan to register as an OECM in a UN database in August 2024.

A project is underway to introduce trees from Mt. Rokko to urban areas, particularly near Sannomiya Station. The satoyama in northern Kobe was certified as a sustainably managed natural site in October 2023. The project engages local residents and students in conservation activities, addressing the decline of forests and biodiversity due to past neglect.