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” →

While many English councils state they will be carbon neutral by 2050, few even know their current carbon footprint

It is fairly easy to make a decarbonisation commitment, it is less easy to achieve it. Jane Dudman writes in The Guardian about the challenges ahead for English councils. English councils set to miss carbon emission targets Many councils in England don’t know how much energy they use, a new survey reveals. The findings … Continue reading While many English councils state they will be carbon neutral by 2050, few even know their current carbon footprint →

With 100% of its electricity coming from renewables, one German town demonstrates what can be achieved when municipalities adopt innovative approaches

Bertie Russell, Research Associate in the Urban Institute at the University of Sheffield describes in an article on The Conversation website what one small German town has done to undertake its own low carbon energy transition. Are there lessons for all of us? This small German town took back the power – and went … Continue reading With 100% of its electricity coming from renewables, one German town demonstrates what can be achieved when municipalities adopt innovative approaches →

Increasing concern about “SUV insanity” in our cities

For many reasons, there is increasing attention being given to congestion and air pollution in our cities due to traffic. While, in many cities there has been a trend towards smaller vehicles, increasingly there are growing numbers of sports utility vehicles (SUVs). In Europe, sales of SUVs leaped from 7% of the market in 2009 … Continue reading Increasing concern about “SUV insanity” in our cities →

Canberrans are being asked to do more of the heavy lifting in combatting climate change

I’m advised by my friends from Canberra that the city is hooked on the car culture and a fairly unsustainable lifestyle. It is going to be a challenge for the needed change. Tom Lowrey writes on the ABC News website about the plans that are being considered. What is your city doing to combat climate … Continue reading Canberrans are being asked to do more of the heavy lifting in combatting climate change →

The challenge to adapt our cities from rising temperatures

Having been in Paris when it hit 42 C was a bit of a shock. Dealing with dramatic heat levels is a necessity to avoid health and other concerns. Tim Schauenberg writes on the Deutsche Welle website about how we can keep them cool. What is your experience? Cities are heating up. How can we … Continue reading The challenge to adapt our cities from rising temperatures →

Berkeley California became the first city in the US to ban natural, fossil gas hook-ups in new buildings

Natural gas was once hailed as an important transition fuel but that view is now rapidly changing as the move away from all fossil fuels accelerates. Susie Cagle writes in The Guardian about the recent vote in Berkeley to ban natural gas hook-ups in new buildings. Cagle writes: "Natural gas, it seems, has become the … Continue reading Berkeley California became the first city in the US to ban natural, fossil gas hook-ups in new buildings →