Integrating Circularity Into Plastic Waste Management – a Win-Win?
We have all heard that when it comes to the climate crisis, cities are both the problem and the solution – and the same is true for the daunting challenge of plastic pollution. Globally, cities are dealing with the impacts
Tackling Sustainability, Food, and Social Inequalities
A Roadmap From Industrial Legacy Cities For cities with an industrial past that have undergone major transitions away from heavy industry as their economies have shifted, food insecurity has become a dire problem. Prolonged periods of disinvestment common to former blue-collar
Why We Need Circular Food Systems and What Cities Can Do About It
Global food systems account for a third of total GHG emissions and drive environmental degradation and socio-economic inequalities all along the value chain. The resilience of current food systems is also increasingly challenged by environmental, climate and health crises. Linear Food
Tackling Climate Change and COVID-19 at the Local Level in Africa
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected the work of national, regional, and local governments. Many countries around the world have imposed lockdowns and physical distancing measures while preparing massive economic relief packages. In several places in Africa, however, hand washing
Envisioning a New Daxi Through EcoLogistics
Could traditional last-mile logistics finally be undergoing a much-needed transformation? The way goods and services arrive at the people’s doors has never been more important. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic began, e-commerce was on the rise and so were demands for
Sustainability and Local Governments in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the fragile economic, social and environmental underpinnings of our world today. Although we have access to advanced scientific and technological resources, as well as strategies for disaster preparedness, and despite repeated specific warnings about
How the Korean “Bike to Work Challenge” Is Leveraging Technology to Tackle Climate Change
Cycle to work, track your ride, earn points, and get a chance to win, all while fighting climate change. This is the simple but effective idea of the first Korean “Bike to Work Challenge,” an initiative funded by the Korean
The Importance of Connecting People With Nature in Times of Social Isolation
Measures to the address COVID-19 pandemic that rely on social distancing and social isolation are placing a huge strain on our communities, our public health systems and our economies. As our cities are grappling with this massive challenge, the role
How Lilongwe’s Bats Are Contributing to National Biodiversity Planning
The importance of nature in cities is well-documented and can motivate city leaders to take action on bringing nature back into urban areas. One of the many benefits of urban nature is that it provides us with an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables
Why Cities, Towns and Regions Are Creating a Roadmap Towards 100% Renewable Energy
Tackling the climate emergency – a security, socioeconomic and environmental crisis – requires the unprecedented transformation of energy systems and an immediate transition to renewable energy across all sectors. For a perspective on why cities and regions are going renewable and
Achieving Road Safety Through Vision Zero
Road traffic injuries are the tenth leading cause of death globally, and the first cause of death for children and young adults between 5-29 years of age. Every 25 seconds, somewhere in the world, one person is killed on the