About this Discussion

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.

Cities and Urban Development

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Asia LEDS Partnership, ICLEI, Partnership on Transparency in the Paris Agreement

Join the third public session of our webinar series on localized and urban climate action - this time with a focus on monitoring systems. There is no need to have been a part of all three sessions. Read More

Asia LEDS Partnership, ICLEI

How can cities develop bankable projects – which are socially and environmentally sustainable as well? Join our public webinar to find out! In this session, participants will be introduced to the City Climate Finance Gap Fund and other opportunities on prioritization and structuring of… Read More

Cities contribute to 75% of energy-related GHG emissions, representing a powerful lever we have to drive decarbonization and build resilience.

More than 1,000 cities are now signed up for the Cities Race to Zero pledge, yet the roadmap continues to demand sustained commitment from all levels. Read more to discover what priorities stand our for cities and national governments in meeting the Paris goals.

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https://www.wri.org/insights/5-ways-cities-climate-action
Stephani Widorini commented on Clara Mottura's Post in Agriculture, Cities and Urban Development

Urban Farming: city allotments could be as productive as conventional farms, research finds.

A two-year pilot study found that volunteer urban growers were able to harvest 1kg of insect-pollinated fruit and vegetables per sq metre in a season – which researchers said put their yields within the range of conventional farms.

“In a world of increasing urbanisation in both the developing and developed worlds, producing food in and around cities has the potential to improve both nutritional and health outcomes, alleviate poverty and simultaneously provide habitat for wildlife and create sustainable cities.”

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https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/15/city-allotments-could-be-as-productive-as-conven...

Air pollution, congested streets, higher rates of road accidents, and carbon emissions are some of the common challenges cities face. Fortunately, cities are taking strides to change this situation.

This blog post by ICLEI presents some of the steps cities are taking for developing healthier and climate-neutral cities through sustainable urban mobility.

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https://talkofthecities.iclei.org/the-road-to-healthier-and-climate-neutral-cities/