In Durban, climate change concerns were mainstreamed within various municipal short term and long-term planning processes. They also acted as a catalyst for the development of a new assessment tool to facilitate the incorporation of climate change concerns into the city’s long term planning. This will help reduce the tensions between development and environmental priorities by allowing decision makers to better understand long-term development.
Credit: Cities Alliance.
Increasing concerns over the effects of climate change have heightened the importance of accelerating investments in green growth. The International Energy Agency, for example, estimates that to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 50 percent by 2050, global investments in the energy sector alone will need to total US$750 billion a year by 2030 and over US$1.6 trillion a year from 2030-2050. Despite global efforts to mobilize required capital flows, the investments still fall far short.
In the first post-transition decade after the fall of communism, Europe and Central Asia (ECA) moved its economy from plan to market. In the second decade, the 2000s, it moved from social division to inclusion. The region has an opportunity to use the third decade, the 2010s, to move from brown to green growth making production and consumption more sustainable, increasing quality of life, and reducing impacts on the climate.
Governments have decided collectively that the world needs to limit the average global temperature increase to no more than 2 °C and international negotiations are engaged to that end. Yet any resulting agreement will not emerge before 2015 and new legal obligations will not begin before 2020. Meanwhile, despite many countries taking new actions, the world is drifting further and further from the track it needs to follow. The energy sector is the single largest source of climate-changing greenhouse-gas emissions and limiting these is an essential focus of action.
There are 26 million homes in the United Kingdom. Together they contribute 27% of the UK's carbon emissions, making the housing sector a vital part of the goverment's committment to an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050.
The Mall, Washington, D.C.—Today the sun is shining down on the Mall in Washington, D.C. and the forecast for the next few days is stellar. We’ve missed the storm predicted to ruin our parade!
<p>It doesn’t mean architecture that is simply pleasing to the eye or a design that functions well, though both of these things are important. A well-designed building that is focused on energy efficiency must take into account such factors as the surrounding climate, the orientation of the building, and the behaviours of its inhabitants.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Considerations such as energy-saving lighting, heating, cooling and ventilation are crucial during the building’s design phase.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Additionally, <a href="http://www.awc.org/pdf/GBFactSheets/life_cycle.pdf" target="_blank">the life cycle approach</a> that analyses the environmental impacts of building materials is critical to sustainable outcomes<span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;
color:#787878">.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;
color:#787878"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/Life_cycle_of_buildings.png" style="width: 1000px; height: 820px;" /></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:11px;">Life Cycle Assessment & Green Buildings - Image from the <a href="http://www.awc.org/pdf/GBFactSheets/life_cycle.pdf" target="_blank">American Wood Council</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Clearly, including <a href="http://www.worldgbc.org/files/1513/6608/0674/Business_Case_For_Green_Bu…; target="_blank">green building strategies</a> from the initial concept design stage is of greater benefit than doing so in hindsight. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Unfortunately many buildings were simply not built this way. But tearing down an inefficient building is more expensive, and exceedingly more wasteful, than retrofitting it to make it more energy efficient. In fact, many people have the misperception that it takes a considerable investment to improve the efficiency and sustainability of existing buildings.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>This is simply not true. Replacing inefficient lighting with <a href="http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/led-lighting" target="_blank">LED lights</a> or replacing single-paned windows with more efficient double or triple-glazed window systems are just two examples of relatively simple upgrades that save significant utility costs.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>In order to maximize global and local environmental benefits along with financials savings, we need to communicate the benefits to building owners, developers, architects and the general population—and encourage them to take greater responsibility and action. We’re seeing examples of this happening, including the certification and modelling of buildings, the introduction of <a href="http://www.breeam.org/page.jsp?id=86" target="_blank">policy requirements</a> and energy standards for buildings, and the adoption of tax incentives for integrating renewable energy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Building certification and modelling systems such as <a href="http://www.usgbc.org/leed" target="_blank">LEED</a> and <a href="http://www.breeam.org/" target="_blank">BREEAM</a> are used and recognised mainly in the developed world, although there are examples of certified buildings in some developing countries, such as the <a href="http://www.usgbc.org/articles/little-leed-building-could-south-sudan%E2…; target="_blank">World Bank Group’s office in Southern Sudan</a>. These modelling systems are able to analyse the overall efficiency of a building’s performance, though it can be a lengthy and somewhat expensive process, and requires detailed and up-to-date data sets.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>The International Finance Corporation is aiming to mainstream green building growth in rapidly urbanizing emerging markets by aligning the interests of developers, banks, homebuyers, and building owners. The new certification system and software, called EDGE (<a href="http://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/topics_ext_content/ifc_external_corp…; target="_blank">Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies</a>) suggests resource-efficient systems and solutions for new residential and commercial buildings. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>The objective is to take a metrics-based approach at the early design stage, to reduce energy, water, and materials consumption by a minimum standard of 20 percent. City Express was the first company worldwide to receive the EDGE certification for its <a href="http://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/03aa600046a8db9d9afebb9916182e35/Sna…; target="_blank">hotel Villahermosa in Mexico.</a> Projects have been certified in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/Resources_efficiencies.png" style="width: 938px; height: 259px;" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:11px;">Image of energy savings made for Villahermosa Hotel using the EDGE software</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p>The cost advantages that EDGE provides helps to alleviate poverty while protecting the environment through a universal green buildings standard.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>The importance of a certification process that is simple, fast, and affordable is vital in the developing world to avoid what is called ‘energy lock-in,’ where poorly designed buildings end up wasteful and inefficient for the duration of their lifespans.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>We’re also finding examples of communities gathering together to improve energy efficiency in their homes, workplaces and public buildings. In the recent <a href="http://www.action4climate.org/" target="_blank">Action4Climate</a> documentary competition, filmmaker Matt Dunne started a peculiar activity to paint roofs in his neighbourhood white -- and <a href="http://www.whiteroofproject.org/" target="_blank">The White Roof Project NYC</a> was born. (Before you think that Matt is the unmasked <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banksy" target="_blank">Bansky</a>, this was not an art or graffiti project!) His reasoning was simple—white reflects light. Many roofing materials are black or grey, which absorb more heat that lighter colours, and increase the internal temperature of the building.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Occupants respond by turning down their cooling system and using more energy<span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;
color:#787878">.</span></p>
<p>[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIkjhY7Fi1w]</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Another example is <a href="http://www.brixtonenergy.co.uk/" target="_blank">Brixton Energy,</a> a not-for-profit organisation (NGO) in Brixton, London, UK that has funded community-owned solar power. The project started with a shared vision of creating real social and environmental outcomes on a housing estate in London. Community-owned solar panels now generate enough energy to power the elevators and many of the community spaces—while creating additional income for the community.</p>
<p>The potential for energy savings in buildings is tremendous if green building methods are applied. With professionals and communities taking more ownership, hopefully policy makers and governments will take greater action to adopt more robust sustainable building codes and policies to achieve their low carbon goals. While environmental pressures are a strong driver, positive financial benefits can create a win-win for all.</p>
Some of the smallest visitors to the Alcantara Magic Garden-Connect4Climate pavilion had big ideas about climate.
Cittadinanzattiva (Active Citizenship), an Italian nonprofit devoted to civic participation, organized the "SpreK.O.
<p>The day before the festival, Connect4Climate organized a <a href="http://connect4climate.org/learn/article/innovative-solutions-to-waste-…; target="_blank">live web discussion</a> on waste management issues on <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/glo…; target="_blank">The Guardian’s Global Development Professionals Network</a>. The two-hour Q&A session featured a panel of 10 experts, including John Morton, Senior Urban Environment Specialist at the World Bank, and Delphine Arri, Environment Specialist at the International Finance Corporation.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>The online discussion drew a significant audience, with members posting 178 comments on a variety of solutions to waste. John Morton recognized the importance of monetary incentives to motivate people to improve recycling. David Jones from the Plastic Oceans Foundation added two great examples:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>“In Dahab in the Sinai, no tin is on the ground because the locals understand their value and recycle them… In <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/mar/18/recycling-waste" target="_blank">Germany</a>, every PET bottle is worth 40 cents for recycling.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>David Jones also raised the point that plastic production accounts for 88% of the world’s oil reserves, and about 150 million tonnes of plastic waste is thrown away annually after just one use. In his opinion, to tackle waste effectively our throwaway lifestyle would have to change. John Morton highlighted effective examples for reducing consumption, including a <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/corporate-responsibility/ban-against-plastic-…; target="_blank">plastic bag ban</a> in Latin America, or the <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/21/polystyrene-foam-b…; target="_blank">Styrofoam ban</a> in the U.S.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Highlights from the online discussion were used to fuel panel discussions at Cittadinanza in Festa. The festival’s core theme, knocking out waste, was used as a thread to explore a variety of sustainability challenges.<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#787878"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p>A panel discussion on May 2nd, highlighted that the average Italian throws away 76 kg of edible food each year, 42% of it at home. At the same time, food production is being constrained by rapid urbanization: over the past 3 years 720 km² of Italian land has been paved over, equivalent to the surface area of Milan, Bologna, Florence, Naples and Palermo combined. The social cost of the carbon dioxide emissions generated by this construction has been estimated at 130 million Euros, and it was estimated to have cost the Italian economy 90 million Euros in imported food that could no longer be grown locally.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/10258890_793254317366561_553764725461794792_o.jpg" style="width: 697px; height: 390px;" /></p>
<p align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 15pt; text-align: center; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"><span style="font-size:9px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(120, 120, 120);">Riccardo Valentini opens the panel discussion on knocking out food waste. </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p>On the food waste panel Michele Bruni of Enterprise Projects Ventures, stressed the need for technology to overcome shrinking agricultural land. Beatrice Costa of Action Aid Italia highlighted the results achieved through pilot programs in schools, which teach youth to not to waste food. The Italian Minister of Health, Beatrice Lorenzin, emphasized the need to find uses for food that is still healthy but no longer meets retail standards.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Riccardo Valentini, a board member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, highlighted the challenge of feeding 7 billion people, the current global population. He advocated including consumers in creating sustainable solutions<span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;
color:#787878">.</span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;
color:#787878"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p>A May 3rd panel discussion focused on Environmental Waste. Marco Frey, President of Cittandinzattiva opened the panel and emphasized the need for citizens to own the waste challenge, as businesses are responding to changing consumer demands.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Every day, the world’s population generates enough waste to fill over fourteen large soccer stadiums from top to bottom, <a href="http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2012/03/16537275/waste-global…; target="_blank">more than 3.5 million tonnes</a>. Walid Norris from Connect4Climate highlighted that if waste management trends continue, landfilled food waste is predicted to increase world methane emissions from <a href="http://www.waste-management-world.com/articles/print/volume-11/issue-2/…; target="_blank">31 million to 43 million tonnes</a>, a significant jump for the potent greenhouse gas.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Specific solutions discussed included innovation in consumer products, citing companies like Fater achieving zero waste in their production process and designing fully recyclable products. Similarly Giorgio Arienti highlighted that citizens can now take simple steps to recycle almost every electronic product they buy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>At the event <a href="http://www.rokiatraore.net/" target="_blank">Rokia Traoré</a>, recognized as one of Africa’s most innovative singers and songwriters, was formally recognized as a new Connect4Climate Global Leader for her commitment and dedication to supporting climate change action around the world. She performed selections from her newest album, “<a href="http://www.nonesuch.com/journal/rokia-traore-beautiful-africa-out-now-2…; target="_blank">Beautiful Africa.</a>”</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/Rokia-Global_Leader_Award-small.jpg" style="width: 851px; height: 315px;" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:9px;">Antonio Guadioso, Walid Norris, Rokia Traoré, and Alessandro Cusso on stage as Rokia receives the Global Leader award. Photo: Luca Liccione / Cittadinanzattiva</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Other events at the festival included book presentations, an electric bicycle tour, theatrical performances and music concerts. As part of Cittadinanzattiva’s campaign SpreK.O, or Knocking out Waste, there were also workshops and labs aimed at teaching citizens, especially youth and children, about how to reduce food waste, solid waste and waste in the healthcare system.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p><a href="http://connect4climate.org/event/knocking-out-waste-cittadinanza-festa&…; target="_blank">SpreK.O. - Cittadinanza in Festa 2014</a> is an encouraging example of citizens coming together to take ownership of the climate challenge and address it with creative solutions<span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;
color:#787878">.</span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#787878"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><o:p></o:p></p>
One of great things the Connect4Climate team loves, is running into the wonderful grassroots "green" initiatives around the world.
