Report
The Weight of Cities
Resource Requirements of Future Urbanization
This report stresses the importance of resource monitoring and the integration of cross-sector urban actions to prepare for urban growth and climate change.
Without a new approach to urbanization, material consumption by the world’s cities will grow from 40 billion tonnes in 2010 to about 90 billion tonnes by 2050. The resource use implications and environmental impacts of urbanization are significant. Resources should now become a central policy concern, in addition to concerns about climate change.
This report presents a strategy of parallel actions on urban planning, sustainable infrastructure design, and cross-sector resource efficiency that are required for a transition towards low-carbon and socially inclusive cities. Monitoring key resource indicators to better understand current and future resource dependencies and embedding resource efficiency into spatial planning will be critical for policymakers to improve urban productivity. City leaders can utilize this report’s new governance model, innovative business propositions, and other recommendations to make this urban transition possible. This report was produced by UNEP.
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Building Materials and the Climate: Constructing a New Future
Published by UNEP, this report highlights the need to develop new models for decarbonizing building materials, if the world is to reach its goals for net zero emissions from the built environment sector by the mid-century.
First National Dialogue for China
This virtual convening created a space for participants to discuss strategies for supporting biodiversity and low-carbon development across China.
How an Urban Bioeconomy can Promote Healthy Ecosystems and Spur Sustainable Economic Prosperity
In Belém, Brazil and other Latin American cities, this concept—which emphasizes circularity, renewable resources, and the development of green infrastructure—is already taking root and reshaping local economies.
Circular Cities at the Forefront: Insights from UrbanShift's Latin America Forum
Cities can play a major role in reducing waste, improving efficiency, and spurring sustainable economic transformations. Learn how the UrbanShift Latin America Forum elevated the idea of a circular economy for cities.