Cities and the need to address climate change

While noting that cities are increasingly playing an important role, the authors worry that many cities are dangerously complacent about the need for speed in decarbonisation. Brendan F.D. Barrett, Senior Lecturer at RMIT University in Australia and Andrew DeWit, Professor, School of Policy Studies at Rikkyo University in Japan explain their views in an article … Continue reading Cities and the need to address climate change →

Taking a more sustainable approach to addressing heat waves in cities

Much of southern Europe has had to cope with a major heat wave for an extended period. This situation is also true in many parts of North America and elsewhere. Nicholas Rajkovich, Assistant Professor of Architecture, University at Buffalo explains in an article on The Conversation website that multiple solutions are required for cities to … Continue reading Taking a more sustainable approach to addressing heat waves in cities →

The complexity of creating a sustainable urban transport system

Athlyn Cathcart-Keays discusses in an article in The Guardian about the up and down transformation currently underway in Oslo to find a sustainable urban transport system that is satisfactory to all citizens. There are many lessons to learn from this experience. Oslo's car ban sounded simple enough. Then the backlash began One day late last … Continue reading The complexity of creating a sustainable urban transport system →

One more important city reveals its low carbon plans

Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, plans to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2040 by reversing urban sprawl and promoting walking, cycling and public transport. Senay Boztas discusses their plans in a recent article in The Guardian. Reykjavík: the geothermal city that aims to go carbon neutral Reykjavík used to be marketed as a … Continue reading One more important city reveals its low carbon plans →

With increased urbanisation, investing in sustainable energy should start in our cities

Laurie Winkless writes a good article in the Irish Independent about the importance of cities in meeting our climate challenges. It would be good to get your views. Investment in renewable energy key to securing future of our cities Google 'future cities' and you'll be met with visions of a science fiction-enhanced urban landscape. … Continue reading With increased urbanisation, investing in sustainable energy should start in our cities →

More American cities giving priority to sustainable energy

More and more we are hearing about the sustainable energy policies being pursued by cities. Feliks Garcia writes in The Independent about Boulder Colorado being the 17th city in the US to commit to being 100% on renewables by 2030. These are definitely welcome signs. By the way, how many cities in Europe have made … Continue reading More American cities giving priority to sustainable energy →

More cities join the efforts to manage emissions and build resilience

It is encouraging to see how cities are increasingly embracing the need to take measures to lower the impact from global warming. There is a good article on the CDP website about recent developments that are most encouraging. Unprecedented global rise in cities disclosing climate strategies A record number of cities are now measuring … Continue reading More cities join the efforts to manage emissions and build resilience →

Ramping up energy efficiency in leading cities

There is an increasing recognition that cities have an important role to play in our global efforts to promote energy efficiency. There is a good article on the blue&green tomorrow website about a new initiative led by the World Green Building Council and the World Resources Institute-led Building Efficiency Accelerator. Leading cities around the … Continue reading Ramping up energy efficiency in leading cities →

Cities and the energy transition

EiD often has posts on the important role cities play in promoting sustainable energy. Chelsea Harvey writes in the Washington Post that, with a little creativity, researchers are developing new ideas and technologies specifically designed for city life in the march to a low-carbon society. This is how cities of the future will get … Continue reading Cities and the energy transition →

Giving communities access to cheaper solar power

Madeleine Cuff writes on the Business Green website that a new initiative in New York City, Solarize NYC, will allow communities to join together into single purchasing groups to access cheaper solar power. There could be some important lessons for Europe as the introduction of nearly zero energy buildings with the needed energy coming from … Continue reading Giving communities access to cheaper solar power →