New report charts the evolution of urban resilience

It’s 2009. The world has failed to reach a meaningful international climate agreement at COP15 in Copenhagen. Despite increased climate action, cities and regions are increasingly feeling the effects of climate change. Mitigation alone is not enough – cities and regions around the world need to build resilience. Responding to this need, ICLEI launched the 

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Mainstreaming nature in Malawi: Bringing local-level knowledge to national decision-making

In a time when cities are bursting at the seams, policy reform is vital to protect ecosystems and build climate resilient cities that preserve urban nature. This three-part series will share three policy victories in Malawi where nature is being conserved and considered  in Lilongwe City, the country’s capital, and beyond. Lilongwe City is often 

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The water-energy-food nexus – an intersectoral approach to resource efficiency

Is it possible to reduce the use of resources in our urban food, energy and water systems, and at the same time stimulate local development and the economy? Nashik, India shows that a nexus approach – an intersectoral approach to sector specific problems – could be the answer.

The Seoul Connection: One city’s mission to spread climate action

Seoul is home to about 10 million citizens and is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The rapidly growing population has also been critical to the city’s success in becoming one of the world’s most sustainable cities. Host of the upcoming 2019 Seoul Mayors Forum on Climate Change, Seoul Metropolitan Government 

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Eight great ideas to tackle food insecurity from industrial legacy cities

For formerly industrial cities that have transitioned away from heavy industry, food insecurity has been a dire problem. Prolonged disinvestment common to former blue collar neighborhoods often means that food insecurity is more significant in these areas. But these cities are also showing how food systems can be made more equitable and sustainable.

Cities across the globe meet to define best practices in low emission development

Sometimes seeing something is the best way to learn. That’s what representatives from 23 cities in Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Rwanda, South Africa and Europe had the opportunity to do on a recent European study trip on sustainable urban development and climate resilience.

How to declare a climate emergency

A new toolkit from the Global Covenant of Mayor for Climate and Energy (GCoM) and partners shared with cities in the run up to the Global Climate Action Summit this week in New York continues to drive momentum on the climate emergency movement. Why declare a climate emergency? Climate science, as well as increasing incidences 

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The power of diversity: How local action can deliver on the global goals

This week in New York, heads of state and government have come together at the UN headquarters for two dedicated Summits on climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As they gather at the highest political level to support and guide the sustainability agenda through the SDGs, political leaders are recognizing that real implementation 

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Zero-Carbon Cities Can Unlock Nearly $24 Trillion

New report shows low-carbon measures in cities could reduce urban emissions by nearly 90 percent and support 87 million jobs annually by 2030 A new report from the Coalition for Urban Transitions finds that investment in low-carbon measures in cities would be worth almost US $24 trillion by 2050 – proof that thriving cities create 

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Food for thought: how Seoul and Hong Kong are tackling food waste

On 29-31 July, a Hong Kong delegation visited Seoul to learn from the city’s advanced food waste policies and practices. Through the ICLEI-organized tour, Hong Kong city officials were presented with innovative technological solutions and people-centered approaches. Hong Kong: a small land with a mounting problem Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated 

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