In the fight against climate change, cities need not be hotbeds of environmental degradation
- Instead of being seen as pressure points for the environment, cities could be planned as innovation hubs
- National governments must lead the move towards inclusive and sustainable cities, through initiatives such as carbon pricing and tax policies
We are in the age of urbanisation. For the first time in human history, over half the world’s population now lives in cities; within a generation, urban areas will be the dominant drivers of global consumer demand and natural resource use.
This is excellent news: good choices made today about how cities are planned and organised – how they use land, energy and materials – will bolster the future health of our planet.
Instead of thinking of cities as pressure points for the global environment, we need to see them as innovation hubs for solutions to address climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. Compact, green, inclusive urban centres are a critical weapon in our quest to keep the planet habitable, safe and secure, and to create an economy that works for everyone.
Creating these cities will require everyone – from city planners to national government ministries, citizens to mayors – to get involved.