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 →

UK government’s plans for sustainable “garden communities” likely to create 200,000 car-dependent families

A study into 20 proposed developments suggests transport links and local amenities are poor with communities requiring expanded road systems. This hardly seems sustainable. Tom Bawden explains in an article on the inews website. Garden community projects could create 200,000 car-dependent families, study suggests A flagship project to build more than 50 green housing … Continue reading UK government’s plans for sustainable “garden communities” likely to create 200,000 car-dependent families →

Houston the latest American city to pledge to go fully renewable

Houston pledges to get 100 percent of its energy from renewable solar power and, importantly, estimates the change will save more than $65 million over seven years. Michael Thomsen describes the latest developments in an article on the Daily Mail website. Houston pledges to get its energy from 100 percent renewable sources The mayor … Continue reading Houston the latest American city to pledge to go fully renewable →

Utrecht: “no roofs unused” policy an attempt to reinvigorate biodiversity in the city and create a less stressful and happier environment

Daniel Boffey writes in The Guardian about another initiative in Utrecht (see another one in an EiD post last week). The plans are to really green the city with plants and mosses. There are even plans for a ‘vertical forest’ tower that will have 10,000 plants on its facade in bid to reinvigorate biodiversity. Are … Continue reading Utrecht: “no roofs unused” policy an attempt to reinvigorate biodiversity in the city and create a less stressful and happier environment →

The “cyclist-first” city of Utrecht is constructing the Netherlands’ first high-density, car-free residential district

A 24-hectare site, located between two canals in the middle of the city, is a business park but by 2024 it is hoped the area will enhance Utrecht’s reputation as a bicycling capital of Europe. Construction on the first homes is expected in 2022. Residents there must confirm once a year that they do not … Continue reading The “cyclist-first” city of Utrecht is constructing the Netherlands’ first high-density, car-free residential district →

Brussels: “in the city of the EU Green Deal, new plans aim to give the streets back to pedestrians and help residents counter the crisis of a warming planet”

For anyone traveling through the centre of Brussels recently, you notice so many road works to create car-free zones. Martin Kuebler writes on the Deutsche Welle about how the city is transforming itself. Let us know how you see the changes? Greening the city: How Brussels is planning for climate change The Belgian capital … Continue reading Brussels: “in the city of the EU Green Deal, new plans aim to give the streets back to pedestrians and help residents counter the crisis of a warming planet” →