On 22-23 October, in preparation for COP21, Mayor of Bristol George Ferguson convened a pioneering group of business and civic leaders for the final event of the Bristol Summit Series – the culmination of Bristol’s year as European Green Capital 2015. The event used peer-learning, informed discussion and interactive exhibitions to explore how creative civic governance
A shift in behavior and day-to-day decisions is essential in reducing our individual carbon footprints. However, this shift often requires a change in mindset and awareness. Over the last 50 years, a lack of understanding and enthusiasm amongst the general population has been one of the biggest obstacles to sustainability. This is now changing, as
At COP21, nations are aiming to finalize a universal agreement on climate change. If successful, this historic meeting will establish the first legally binding universal climate agreement in over 20 years of negotiations, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels. This aspiration has its limits. Even if we achieve
Welcome to the latest edition of ICLEI Links, our roundup of sustainability-related news and commentary from around the web! City Stories Can we build cities that anticipate the future? Calgary cycle track network: An overnight success story, 5 years in the making Flee to this city if you want to survive a zombie apocalypse San
The Transformative Actions Program (TAP) emphasizes the inclusiveness of climate actions, a concept that can take many different forms. The TAP advocates that systems and decisions relating to climate finance include the voices and needs of cities and regions. In turn, governments at this level can transfer the spirit of inclusivity by engaging citizens in
Urban planning is a relatively young field. It was only in the twentieth century that local governments began to think more systematically about how cities should be designed. At present, many local governments are incorporating principles of sustainability to plan their cities in a holistic and strategic way. There are a number of established mechanisms,
When thinking of transformative climate actions, one should imagine the many aspects of city life that can be redefined. Transformative climate actions are not exclusively technical – they go well beyond divesting from fossil fuels and erecting barriers to mitigate flood risks. Climate actions can have myriad environmental, social and economic benefits that transform the
When we ask cities about their climate projects, they often explain that funding is inadequate. When we ask financial institutions how they feel about working with cities, they explain that investment decisions require more rigorous evidence of ambitious, well-conceptualized projects that will be carried to completion. Until now, there have been few objective, third-party reviews
In May 2015, cities, local government networks and their partners launched the Transformative Actions Program (TAP), a long-term framework that will accelerate local and regional climate action. A total of 88 cities and regions from 42 countries have submitted over 120 projects to the TAP, signaling the start of longer term institutional capacity building and
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