Although COVID-19 itself, and the associated containment measures, have had tragic consequences for societies, it also serves as an unprecedented natural experiment that helps us to better understand the relationship between economic activity and the environment. Frederik Noack, Assistant Professor, environmental economics, University of British Columbia; Dominic Rohner, Professor of Economics, Université de Lausanne; and … Continue reading COVID-19 has helped researchers better understand the relationship between economic activity and the environment
Category: urban policies
Public transit is hanging by a thread in many cities around the world and that’s a disaster for the world’s ability to address that other global crisis: climate change
Public transit offers a simple way for cities to lower GHG emissions, but the pandemic has pushed ridership, and revenue, off a cliff in many big systems. Somini Sengupta, Geneva Abdul, Manuela Andreoni and Veronica Penney discuss latest developments in an article on the New York Times website. Riders Are Abandoning Buses and Trains. … Continue reading Public transit is hanging by a thread in many cities around the world and that’s a disaster for the world’s ability to address that other global crisis: climate change
Helsinki’s housing industry has launched a project to try to make residential buildings as energy-efficient as possible
It is encouraging to see the importance the city of Helsinki is giving to promote energy efficient construction. Anton Stoyanov discusses a pilot project in an article on The Mayor website. Helsinki on the lookout for the builders of the city’s most energy-efficient building Helsinki’s housing industry has launched a project to try to … Continue reading Helsinki’s housing industry has launched a project to try to make residential buildings as energy-efficient as possible
Cape Town sets an example to African cities to develop a climate strategy
Alanna Rebelo, Karen Joan Esler, Michael Samways and Patricia Holmes of Stellenbosch University together with Tony Rebelo from the South African National Biodiversity Institute explain in an article on The Conversation website how Cape Town is addressing climate change. Cape Town's climate strategy isn't perfect, but every African city should have one It may … Continue reading Cape Town sets an example to African cities to develop a climate strategy
Sustainable growth is priority for city of Helsinki
Dorn Townsend writes on the New York Times website about developments in Helsinki, Finland. As we give more and more attention to policies and actions at the local level, it is encouraging to see such efforts as are underway in Helsinki. What is the situation where you are? Helsinki Makes Sustainability a Guiding Principle … Continue reading Sustainable growth is priority for city of Helsinki
Two new EEA reports on the need for action to improve adaptation nationally and locally
Despite the increasing awareness of climate change impacts and the need to adapt, many of Europe’s cities and towns are struggling to handle the impacts of heatwaves, severe droughts and destructive floods. Two European Environment Agency (EEA) reports published today stress the urgent need for action to improve adaptation and resilience at local and national … Continue reading Two new EEA reports on the need for action to improve adaptation nationally and locally
Trees have a fundamental place in cities – amongst other benefits they are powerhouses when it comes to regulating city microclimates
As city populations soar, it might seem like there isn't much room for trees. But ecologists say these climatic powerhouses are an often overlooked solution to the health and environmental issues greater density brings. Charli Shield discusses in an article on the Deutsche Welle website why trees are more important than ever. Trees help … Continue reading Trees have a fundamental place in cities – amongst other benefits they are powerhouses when it comes to regulating city microclimates
Our cities need deep energy retrofits
Sandy Tung, Programme Manager for Sharing Cities writes on the Cities Today website about the importance of deep energy retrofits. Deep energy retrofits: Enhancing energy efficiency in the built environment Cities play a crucial role in shaping the climate agenda, accounting for about 65 percent of global energy demand and 70 percent of energy-related … Continue reading Our cities need deep energy retrofits
Arguing for “intelligent rehabilitation” of existing buildings
Our homes and old towns will be uninhabitable by 2050, warn the architects Sébastien Clément and Emmanuel Mille, and the philosopher Thierry Paquot, who argue for an "intelligent rehabilitation" of existing buildings in an article on Le Monde website. For a heritage policy consistent with the climate emergency June 2020 was the warmest month … Continue reading Arguing for “intelligent rehabilitation” of existing buildings
Blog from Silvia Zinetti: How Community Choice Aggregation empowers communities to increase sustainable energy: Key findings from the feasibility study in Arlington County, Virginia
Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) has been discussed in previous EiD posts. This innovative business model is gaining popularity in several states in the U.S. as a tool to support cities to increase sustainable energy and achieve their climate goals. In particular, cities in California have been able to fully embrace the opportunity and many have … Continue reading Blog from Silvia Zinetti: How Community Choice Aggregation empowers communities to increase sustainable energy: Key findings from the feasibility study in Arlington County, Virginia
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 