Adam Fishman from the SDG Knowledge Hub at the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) explains about an interesting new report from the Asian Development Bank on climate solutions in Chinese cities. ADB Highlights 50 Climate Solutions in China’s Cities A report launched by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) outlines 50 “climate solutions” in … Continue reading New report on 50 “climate solutions” in cities throughout China
Category: urban policies
More data needed at city level to demonstrate that emissions are declining
Today most of the GHG emissions is organised at the national or state level, not at city scales according to a new article on The Conversation website. These are the findings for the United States by Conor K Gately and Lucy Hutyra at Boston University. Is it any better in other countries? From pledges … Continue reading More data needed at city level to demonstrate that emissions are declining
Smart cities: a conflict repeated the world over, between centuries-old customs and new development trends
How do we find a balance between tradition and modern attempts to digitalise our world. Santa Maria Tonantzintla was set to be one of Mexico’s first smart cities – but residents saw it as an attempt to westernise their town and leave tradition behind. All of you know there is this on-going tug. Madeleine Wattenbarger … Continue reading Smart cities: a conflict repeated the world over, between centuries-old customs and new development trends
Cities need to focus on facilitating the energy transition, not focus on 100 per cent renewables
Hundreds of cities are now committing themselves to be 100 per cent on renewables at specified times in the future. Kirby Calvert argues on the Policy Options website that the target is a simple and positive message, but it can unnecessarily confuse the public, fostering a false sense that this market transformation can be driven … Continue reading Cities need to focus on facilitating the energy transition, not focus on 100 per cent renewables
Blog from Sophie Shnapp: New London toxic cruise port creates pollution hotspot
This year, 36 enormous cruise ship hotels will be moored on the Thames in London between Greenwich and Tower Bridge, some for several days at a time, each burning thick diesel and belching out poisonous fumes. The toxic fumes from these cruise liners exacerbate London’s existing deadly pollution levels. Air pollution alone leads to 9,500 … Continue reading Blog from Sophie Shnapp: New London toxic cruise port creates pollution hotspot
London’s “lost” rivers could yield heating and cooling for landmark buildings
The energy transition requires us to explore all energy options. In yesteryear, London had many rivers throughout the city. Many of the rivers now run in covered channels dating from the Georgian and Victorian periods. Mark Bridge writes in The Times about efforts to now use them for heating and cooling. Underground river could heat … Continue reading London’s “lost” rivers could yield heating and cooling for landmark buildings
Project in nine cities in Africa shows how cities have the potential to produce solutions to climate change problems
We read regularly about urban initiatives to address climate change. Alice McClure, a PhD candidate at the Climate System Analysis Group together with Gina Ziervogel, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental and Geographical Science and African Climate and Development Initiative Research Chair at the University of Cape Town write in an article on The Conversation website … Continue reading Project in nine cities in Africa shows how cities have the potential to produce solutions to climate change problems
Environmental concerns about the loss of urban tree cover in America
When we think of cities, we think of a lot of steel and concrete. We know that cities have trees and other forms of greenery and the important role they play for our health, in reducing GHG emissions and many other benefits. Of concern in the US is the increasing loss of trees, as researchers … Continue reading Environmental concerns about the loss of urban tree cover in America
Blog from Silvia Zinetti: Sprynt – sustainable urban mobility solution from the U.S.
Urban mobility is an extremely important topic for towns and cities around the world. Cities are filled with traffic congestion, noise pollution, and most importantly a deterioration of urban air quality. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), transportation in the U.S. generates the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) (28%)[i], while … Continue reading Blog from Silvia Zinetti: Sprynt – sustainable urban mobility solution from the U.S.
New Delhi named most polluted megacity
Annie Gowen writes in The Washington Post about the level of pollution in the world’s megacities. The worst one is New Delhi. The importance of this article is not to name and shame the most polluting but to show that there are approaches, as we are now seeing in China, that can make significant improvements. … Continue reading New Delhi named most polluted megacity
