Climate Action

Summary

The URBACT Knowledge Hub brings together good practices from across the EU, with the latest urban trends, to fill the gaps and make sure that the learning is within everyone's reach. Find out how URBACT cities of all sizes are boosting actions to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.

Why it matters?

Cities are the level at which most emissions are recorded. The world’s cities consume 60–80% of natural resources, producing 50% of global waste and 75% of greenhouse gas emissions. And this is set to increase: 75% of EU citizens live in urban areas; 66% of the world’s population is expected to live in cities by 2050; and cities’ global carbon footprint is predicted to triple by 2030.

The European Parliament finally declared a ‘climate emergency’ in 2019 and the European Commission’s Green Deal sets a target of carbon neutrality by 2050.

In November 2021, governments from around the world will gather in Glasgow (UK) for the COP 26, to reaffirm their commitment to tackling climate change.

Meanwhile, many URBACT cities have already been developing their own strategies, activities, and partnerships to move towards greater integration and transversality in their local climate policies:

Zero Carbon Cities is an Action Planning Network made of 7 cities working on science-based carbon reduction targets, policies and action plans, to contribute to the successful implementation of the Paris Agreement and the EU’s strategic vision for carbon neutrality by 2050
Urb-En Pact is an Action Planning Network made of 8 metropolitan areas aiming to become Net Zero Energy territories no later than 2050
Global Goals for Cities is a pilot network and strategic partnership aimed at accelerating progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in 19 cities
C-Change was a Transfer Network working on the role of arts and culture in supporting climate action

URBACT is also supporting the the Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration, placing food and local action at the heart of the global response to the climate emergency. URBACT invites all cities to sign it!