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Urban centres provide opportunities for a range of social and cultural activities, as well as being critical for innovations in science, technology and education. They are also of critical importance for social and economic development. However, with approximately 40% of global energy use taking place within city buildings, this sector is also the single largest contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions.
As a result, the design and use of energy and resource-efficient buildings has a key role in climate change mitigation to accelerate the global green economy transition. Although vast savings are possible by constructing new green buildings and retrofitting existing buildings, even greater gains can be achieved by adopting a long-term life-cycle approach involving stakeholders at different stages – from environmentally-minded investors and architects, to sustainable extraction, construction and usage, and the eventual demolition and the recycling or disposal of the building materials.
Cities are well-placed to play a major role in decoupling economic development from resource use and environmental impacts, while finding a better balance between social, environmental and economic objectives. Resource-efficient cities combine greater productivity and innovation with lower costs and reduced environmental impacts, offering at the same time financial savings and increased sustainability.
Created an Event in Energy, Cities and Urban Development
Created a Post in Cities and Urban Development, Climate Change, Transportation and Mobility
Freight transport and emissions are increasing rapidly and, until now, cities were not equipped to handle the associated challenges. Only about 21 percent of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) highlighting transport refers to freight transport. Nonetheless, general understanding and awareness on sustainable freight have grown exponentially in recent years.
Created a Post in Cities and Urban Development, Forestry, Transportation and Mobility
In this weekend's podcasts, learn more about e-mobility in cities (https://www.worldbank.org/en/news//podcast/2021/05/05/on-the-road-to-e-…) and forest carbon offsets (https://www.npr.org/2021/05/07/994774148/emission-impossible)
Created an Opportunity in Cities and Urban Development, Climate Change
Created a Post in Cities and Urban Development, Green Recovery from COVID-19, Natural Capital
Two geologists walk into a bar. The first one says to the bartender, “You know, soon there’s going to be a shortage of sand.” The bartender looks up, waiting for the punchline. The second geologist says, “He’s not kidding and that’s not a joke.”... [It’s an increasing concern, particularly as] Consumption [is anticipated to] accelerate as governments resume infrastructure projects that were postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic...
Since 2012 the World Bank has integrated Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in around 100 projects across 60 countries, and developed a knowledge base to help mainstream NbS. One of them is improving transport infrastructure resilience in Haiti, a country prone to natural disasters, from hurricanes to earthquakes.
Created a Post in Cities and Urban Development, Climate Change, Water and Sanitation
Stormwater harvesting is becoming a mainstream alternative source of water supply for cities. Read how City West Water in Melbourne is developing this source to ensure a water-secure future
Created a Post in Cities and Urban Development, Green Recovery from COVID-19
How will COVID-19 impact cities moving forward? This is the topic of our 11th episode of a podcast by the Graduate Institute of Geneva featuring Dennis Rodgers, Research Professor in Anthropology and Sociology at the Graduate Institute.
Created a Post in Cities and Urban Development
The 15 circular steps for cities – Second edition