Summary
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.
Many URBACT cities are 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
Related topics
How food is at the heart of the global response to the climate emergency?
<<< Visit the Food Knowledge Hub
How a circular economy is key to combat climate change?
<<< Check the work of URBACT networks URGE and Resourceful Cities
How to transform tourism for local sustainable action?
<<< Visit URBACT network Tourism Friendly Cities
Why health needs to be incorporated into broader action planning?
<<< Check the work of URBACT networks Health & Greenspace and Healthy Cities
Document 26 October 2017 5.12 MB
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