Everyone has the right to breathe clean air. This is the premise of the United Nations International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, celebrated annually on the 7th of September. The majority of the global population is exposed daily to hazardous substances and waste that increase the chances of developing diseases and disabilities throughout
Authors: Maryke van Staden, Director of carbonn Climate Center and Felix Akrofi-Atitianti, Integrated Climate Action Officer, ICLEI World Secretariat As we celebrate the first International Day of Clean Air for blue skies on 7 September 2020, it is time to reflect. How big a problem is air pollution today? What is happening to reduce harmful
Cities all around the world are implementing ambitious mitigation and adaptation strategies to respond to climate change: from urban greenery to renewable energy systems to low carbon mobility. The ecological crisis, however, is not the only challenge urban areas are faced with. Poverty, immigration, exclusion, racism, sexism, homelessness and other social justice issues, are equally
Located in the coffee zone of Colombia, Manizales is working on its Climate Action Plan, which will establish what actions and goals are necessary for the city to be resilient. The city of Manizales, Colombia, was chosen to receive direct support through the Urban-LEDS II project for the elaboration of their inventory of greenhouse
The ICLEI Global Executive Committee and the entire ICLEI network are deeply saddened by the passing away of Mayor Park Won-soon. The world has lost a visionary city leader and a tireless advocate for local climate action and sustainable cities. We acknowledge that the circumstances leading up to and surrounding his death are of an
Now, as we seem to have moved beyond the peak of the first large coronavirus/COVID-19 wave in Europe and the dramatic death toll is decreasing, people and economic stakeholders are beginning to push for a fast reduction of restrictions as a way back to a new normal. This new normal will have to account for
Like never before, the crisis has unveiled how supply chains play a crucial role in responding to the disaster, essentially due to the scale and nature of today’s networked supply chains. The health emergency represents a sobering experience heightening the importance for cities to (1) adopt sustainable urban logistics planning and integrated approaches, (2) innovate
As local governments adapt to life under lockdown many face disruptions to their climate plans. The severe impact of the pandemic has meant councils are focusing on delivering essential services and financial support to meet the immediate needs of local residents and businesses. This is necessary but creates another risk by placing many critically important
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted normal life all over the world. While there are reports of rejuvenation of nature with minimal human interference ever since the lockdown has been initiated in different countries, there is also a major challenge of maintaining civic services while restricting human activities. The functioning of municipal governments all over
As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, we face extremely challenging situations in Europe and beyond. We do not yet know how the situation in other countries in Europe and the world will develop, and when we will see a shift back to “normal.” This level of insecurity is unusually high and hard to bear.