Cities as an Engine for Environmental Change

Solutions discussed: 

Adopt place-based approaches in building sustainable cities

Powers, partnerships, data platform, people's skills are the key enablers for a place-based net-zero. Certain cities lack the power to influence changes needed to achieve a place-based approach to net-zero. As such, redefining city powers will be helpful. Partnerships with local stakeholders, feasibility and transparency of data, and new skills in city institutions are also relevant for achieving sustainable cities.

Presented by: Luke Strickland, Building and Cities Net Zero Lead, Mott MacDonald

A place-based approach to net-zero

 

Integrate health, emergency preparedness, equity and nature considerations into urban and regional planning policies and interventions, including an economic impact and cost benefit assessment

These themes should not be tackled seperately when addressing climate change, but must be tackled cumulatively. Environmental agendas must be addressed and integrated into socioeconomic agendas.

Presented by: Dr Nathalie Roebbel, Head, Urban Health, Social Determinants of Health, World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO call for resilient and healthy cities

Implement urban technologies (green energy, green housing) in cities for climate change adaptation

This is mostly feasible in cities with strong political institutions and organisations. Cities in the Global South would require capacity building to scale up their capacity to implement such solutions.

Presented by: Professor Edward Glaeser, Department Chair, Fred and Eleanor Glimp Professor of Economics, Harvard University

Integrating solutions to adapt cities for climate change