Cities are in a unique position when it comes to the climate crisis. On the one hand, they are a key contributor to climate change. At the same time, they have the unique ability to address the sustainability challenges that we are facing today. The Viable Cities’ Finance project talked to four experts about the challenges and opportunities of sustainable cities at the Smart City Expo World Congress and Smart City Business Forum in Barcelona, Spain in November 2021.
Cities around the world face myriad different challenges ranging from environmental threats and impacts to rapid urbanization and social issues. They are responsible for roughly 70% of global carbon emissions and account for 75% of the world’s energy use. At the same time, cities have a huge potential to act as hubs for sustainable solutions and lead the way to an inclusive, just and resilient future. Although each city faces a unique set of challenges, they all deal with the impacts and pressures of climate change.
Cities have a unique opportunity to interact and collaborate to collectively tackle both climate and sustainability challenges. Members of large global city networks, such as the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, work together through partnerships, peer exchange and capacity building to create systemic change for urban sustainability. Events such as the Smart City Expo World Congress and the Smart City Business Forum offer opportunities for members and stakeholders of these large city networks to interact, learn and collaborate on these important issues.
Cities are where the battle of climate change will be won or lost.
Julio Lumbreras, Professor, Technical University of Madrid, Mission Board of the European Commission
The Viable Cities’ Finance project co-hosted the Smart City Business Forum and participated in the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, Spain in November 2021. At these events, four change-makers working on sustainable cities discussed the most pressing issues in their fields.
The Viable Cities’ Finance project has received support within the strategic innovation programme Viable Cities funded by Vinnova, the Swedish Energy Agency and Formas.
Design and development by Soapbox.