UNEP Launches Global Initiative for Resource Efficient Cities
Initiative will Focus on Resource Efficiency Measures to Achieve Sustainable
Urban Development
Rio de Janeiro, 18 June 2012 - The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and partners
have unveiled a new initiative that aims to reduce pollution levels, improve resource efficiency and
reduce infrastructure costs in cities across the world.
Launched today at the Rio+20 summit in Brazil, the Global Initiative for Resource-Efficient Cities will
work with local and national governments, the private sector and civil society groups to promote
energy efficient buildings, efficient water use, sustainable waste management and other activities.
Cities with populations of 500,000 or more are invited to join the initiative, which aims to attract 200
members by 2015.
In a rapidly urbanizing world, cities are increasingly becoming the focus of international sustainability
efforts.
Up to 80 percent of the world population is expected to reside in cities by 2050. Indeed, this ‘second
wave’ of urbanisation is projected to see over 3 billion additional people living in cities in a time-span
of just 80 years, primarily in Africa and Asia.
Today, urban areas account for 50 percent of all waste, generate 60-80 percent of all greenhouse gas
emissions and consume 75 percent of natural resources, yet occupy only 3 percent of the Earth’s
surface.
Yet water savings of 30 percent, and energy saving of up to 50 percent can be achieved in cities with
limited investment and encouraging behavioral change, according to UNEP.
Moreover, the economic opportunities associated with making cities more sustainable are numerous.
As centres of technology, cities can spearhead the creation of green jobs in sectors such as
renewable energy. Projections show that some 20 million people could be employed in the wind, solar
and biofuel industries by 2030, for example.
The Global Initiative for Resource-Efficient Cities will support sustainability efforts in cities with the
following core activities:
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Promoting research on resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production
Providing access and advice for city decision-makers on technical expertise, capacity building
and funding opportunities for improving resource efficiency
Creating a network for cities and organizations to exchange experiences and peer-review
projects for mutual benefit
“Decoupling economic growth from unsustainable resource use and environmental impacts –
especially in urban areas -underpins the transition to a low-carbon, resource efficient green economy”,
said Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director.
“The new Global Initiative for Resource Efficiency Cities aims to provide cities with a common
framework for assessing environmental performance and encouraging innovative sustainability
measures. In the context of rapid urbanization and growing pressures on natural resources, there is
an urgent need for co-ordinated action on urban sustainability. This is essential both for preventing
irreversible degradation of resources and ecosystems, and for realizing the multiple benefits of
greener cities, from savings through energy-efficient buildings, or the health and climate benefits of
cleaner fuels and vehicles.”
The initiative has already been backed by a broad range of international institutions, such as UNHabitat, World Bank, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), Local Governments for
Sustainability (ICLEI), Cities Alliance, International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), Veolia
Environment Institute, Bioregional, Urban Environmental Accords Members Alliance and International
Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).
Several cities have also quickly come on board, including the City of Sao Paulo (TBC), Copenhagen
(TBC), Malmo (TBC), Gwangju, with national interest having been expressed by Japan and the United
States.
“The strong, early interest in this initiative is further evidence that cities, which generate 80 per cent
of global GDP, understand they are the key decision-makers and implementers of the necessary
steps required to move our societies towards a more sustainable pattern of consumption and
production,”said David Miller, former mayor of Toronto and past chair of the C40 Cities Climate
Leadership Group.
Sustainable Cities: Making it Happen
The practical steps that cities can take towards resource efficiency are the focus of a new UNEP
report, also launched today at Rio+20.
Using case studies from China, Brazil, Germany and a host of other countries, Sustainable, Resource
Efficient Cities in the 21st Century: Making it Happen, highlights opportunities for city leaders to
improve waste and water management, energy efficiency, urban transportation, and other key sectors.
Among the projects highlighted in the report is the Masdar City development in the United Arab
Emirates, which is acting as a test-bed for the development of the skills, innovation and markets
required for realizing the eco-city concept at a large scale.
The report also examines several initiatives that aim to meet the rising energy demands of urban
centres, in a sustainable way.
Renewable energy feed-in tariff strategies in Germany, for example, have allowed the city of Freiburg
to invest in photovoltaic, wind and other renewable energy systems, which now supply over 8 percent
of the city’s total energy demand. Household energy consumption has been decreased by up to 80
percent due to Freiburg’s energy-efficient housing standards.
Overall, the UNEP report outlines several success factors for transitioning to sustainable, resource
efficient cities:
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Integration: Cities need to move beyond merely conducting environmental impact
assessments before implementing new developments. In addition to a conservation approach
towards greening, the livability of cities and social equality measures should be taken into
account.
Governance: Tackling climate change and advancing urban sustainability requires an
integrated, consultative approach involving local communities and civil society groups, as well
traditional decision-makers.
Smart Urban Design: Supporting low-footprint design that targets public transport, pedestrian
zones and cycle lanes and promote compact, multi-use urban development
Finance: Tax incentives and subsidies can be used to stimulate the up-take of green
technologies.
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Technology Transfer: Transfer of technology and skills to developing countries should be
adapted to suit local context, not simply ‘off-the-shelf’ solutions from the developed world.
Capacity building on management and maintenance is an important part of technology and
skills transfer.
Innovation: Supporting and/or establishing educational and research bodies that can support
the development of skills, capabilities and networks on urban sustainability
A second UNEP report, also launched today, examines how cities can better access climate finance
through the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The Feasibility Study on the Development of an
Urban CDM, recommends reforming the existing CDM to allow for methodologies geared towards
cities. It also recommends the development of a CDM programme of activities for pilot cities that
would inform the future development of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions and assist in the
transition to a green economy.
Notes to Editors
More information on the Global Initiative
http://www.unep.org/pdf/GI-REC_4pager.pdf
for
Resource-Efficient
Cities
is
available
at:
Full copies of the UNEP reports Sustainable, Resource Efficient Cities in the 21st Century: Making it
Happen, and A Feasibility Study on the Development of an Urban CDM are available at:
http://www.unep.org/urban_environment/Publications/index.asp
For more, information, please contact:
Nick Nuttall, Acting Director, UNEP Division of Communication and Public Information and
Spokesperson, Tel: +55 11 6593 8058 / +254 733 632755, E-mail: nick.nuttall@unep.org
Bryan Coll, UNEP Newsdesk (Nairobi), Tel. +254 731 666 214, E-mail: unepnewsdesk@unep.org
Moira O'Brien-Malone, Head, DTIE Communications, UNEP Paris, Tel. + 33 1 44 37 76 12 / +33 6 82
26 93 73, E-mail: moira.obrien-malone@unep.org