We live on a rapidly urbanizing planet, but our cities are struggling to provide basic services to their people – from clean air and water to reliable public transport and safe, affordable housing. As a result of this unprecedented urban growth, carbon emissions are on the rise and pressures on vital ecosystems are intensifying.

Annual Report 2021-2022
UrbanShift was launched at Climate Week NYC in September 2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, we made tremendous progress over the course of the year, working together with cities, countries, organizations and governments to pave the way for sustainable and inclusive urban transformation. Read about the milestones accomplished in UrbanShift's first year of action.
- 2/3 of the world's population
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will live in cities by 2050
- 70% of global CO2 emissions
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are produced by cities
- 1.4 billion city dwellers
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are at high or extreme risk of climate hazards
LATEST NEWS & EVENTS

Plastic Pollution & Cities: Building Momentum Towards a Global Plastics Treaty
At this circular economy-themed webinar, we heard from experts, city representatives and waste pickers about the causes & consequences of plastic pollution in cities, and what cities can do to initiate a just transition to a plastic-free economy.

State of Finance for Nature in Cities 2023
In this publication, UNEP and the Penn Institute for Urban Research outline gaps and opportunities for financing Nature-based Solutions in cities, best practices from around the world, and actions that can be taken to scale up investments in nature.

5 Priorities for Urban Climate Action in 2023 and Beyond
Changing our approach to cities must be at the center of efforts to thwart climate change. As we move further into this decisive decade, here are five critical areas of action for cities.

OUR FUNDER AND PARTNERS
UrbanShift is the brand name of the Global Environment Facility’s Sustainable Cities Impact Program. It is led by the UN Environment Programme and implemented in partnership with the World Resources Institute, C40 Cities, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, the UN Development Programme, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. UrbanShift builds on the lessons and experiences of the Sustainable Cities Integrated Approach Pilot, facilitated through the Global Platform for Sustainable Cities.