Circular economy and waste management to empower a climate-neutral urban future

Journal of Cleaner Production, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 421, P. 138454 - 138454

Published: Aug. 14, 2023

To mitigate climate change while catering to the needs of a growing population, cities need find smarter ways manage their resources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Since waste management and circular economy will be instrumental in this endeavour, current level circularity cities, environmental impact related activities sharable best practices explored. This paper examines roadmap zero emissions 362 that expressed interest Horizon Europe 100 Climate-Neutral Smart Cities Mission. Based on an unprecedented suite city inputs, study answers set research questions so far unaddressed due lack suitable dataset. The analysis focusses a) actions undertaken by achieving reducing/optimising streams, b) envisioned supporting neutrality 2030, c) urban sectors metabolic flows for which has particularly high potential change. Best are captured create informative aimed at policy-makers encouraging peer-to-peer learning. Finally, barriers incrementing approaches emerge from cities' self-assessments compared those identified existing scientific literature provide input more comprehensive conceptual framework. Overall, distils how imaginaries translated into local governance policy-making focussing large group cities. is key truly understand why some initiatives fail others succeed can inform all relevant stakeholders next steps take.

Language: Английский

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Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for a Sustainable and Climate-Neutral Economy in Asia

Advances in finance, accounting, and economics book series, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 21

Published: March 27, 2024

This chapter explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is helping Asia move towards a sustainable and climate-neutral economy. The thoroughly examines AI's potential influence on decarbonization, energy efficiency, green growth in the area, focusing achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Presenting case studies highlighting successful implementations, it investigates applications such as renewable forecasts, smart grid management, agriculture practices. addresses issues ethical considerations technological constraints, need for competent human capital. It highlights significance of ongoing innovation, policy support, cooperation to fully use accomplishing SDGs. Looking ahead, describes new trends future paths. conclusion emphasizes value capacity building, concerns, strategic planning successfully integrate AI promote more environmentally friendly Asia.

Language: Английский

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Governing climate neutrality transitions at the urban level: A European perspective

Cities, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 148, P. 104883 - 104883

Published: Feb. 16, 2024

Effectively addressing climate change in line with the Paris Agreement and EU Climate Law requires establishment of governance structures participation coordination all levels government where local level plays a key role. This is evident emergence city-to-city networks urban policymakers supporting initiatives such as 100 Climate-Neutral Smart Cities Mission. The purpose this article to demonstrate how approximately 400 European cities are shaping their tackle complexities achieving neutrality, highlighting elements on which focus efforts. study analyses data collected through Expression Interest survey Commission's Mission, contains inputs directly provided by authorities responsible for implementing policies. results reveal significant progress have made adapting approaches effectively address challenges instance institutionalisation change, introduction enabling participative forms governing involvement stakeholders decision-making processes. It also highlights face concerning financing need unlock private investments.

Language: Английский

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Are cities taking action against urban overheating? Insights from over 7,500 local climate actions

One Earth, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7(5), P. 848 - 866

Published: May 1, 2024

Mitigating urban overheating is vital to create livable futures. Research on heat mitigation plentiful, while knowledge about the actual measures local governments are implementing limited. This study examines 7,500+ actions by 2,500+ cities under two flagship programs of European Commission. The analysis reveals that cities' strategies pivot around green- and water-based technologies (66% actions) mildly leveraging permeable reflective surfaces (35%) rarely solar shading wind control (8%) or stimuli-responsive/smart systems (2%). Hundreds (1) indicate extreme as a hazard growing intensity and/or frequency, (2) located in hot-summer climatic zones, (3) will experience increasingly frequent heatwaves, (4) host numerous population not reporting any precaution. Moreover, show limited familiarity with combinatorial approaches little attention specific vulnerable groups. Prevention, awareness, social justice should receive more attention.

Language: Английский

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Visions for climate neutrality and opportunities for co-learning in European cities

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 195, P. 114315 - 114315

Published: Feb. 27, 2024

Cities represent unique spaces for climate mitigation where wide-ranging action to reduce emissions meets ambition and collaboration. This research work distils neutrality narratives 362 cities that expressed interest in the European Mission on 100 Climate-Neutral Smart focuses 112 selected spearhead process of reaching by 2030 (representing a potential 318.3 megatonnes carbon dioxide equivalent emissions). The method involves steps profile characteristics these cities, enunciate cross-cutting patterns cities' visions thematic groupings, compare 14 contextual factors with 77 possible main barriers. There are both similarities differences among results as basis learning together certain barriers can be relatively more dominant some such fragmentation responsibilities. As synthesis findings, original analyses used derive prioritise nine high-level recommendations based visions, factors, expected Opportunities mobilising transformative change relate transforming siloed into integrated approaches, inclusive governance collaborations, innovative financing, welfare just transition well planning, implementation, policy coherence. advances provide pioneering stimulating co-learning processes beyond support open up opportunities progress while producing impact global reach.

Language: Английский

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Research and innovation paving the way for climate neutrality in urban transport: Analysis of 362 cities on their journey to zero emissions

Transport Policy, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 148, P. 107 - 123

Published: Jan. 11, 2024

The EU Mission on Climate Neutral and Smart Cities is an ambitious initiative aiming to involve a wide range of stakeholders deliver 100 climate-neutral smart cities by 2030. We analysed the information submitted in expressions interest 362 candidate cities. majority cities' strategies for climate neutrality include urban transport as main sector combine introduction new technologies with promotion public active mobility. combined from data CORDIS TRIMIS databases, applied clustering algorithm measure proximity foci H2020 funding. Our results suggest that preparedness correlated research innovation activities Horizon 2020 specific mobility significantly increased likelihood city be candidate. Among various technology pathways, appears have major role development solutions neutrality.

Language: Английский

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Evaluation of the social impact of an energy system for residential heating applications based on a novel seasonal thermal energy storage

Journal of Energy Storage, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 86, P. 111210 - 111210

Published: March 7, 2024

Thermal energy storage (TES) is a key player in the transition to support integration of renewable sources and reduce demand supplied by fossil fuels. The EU-funded project SWS-Heating aims develop novel seasonal thermal based on selective water sorbents for domestic heating increase share renewables. Although main performance indicator new technologies efficiency optimization, social impact TES an overlooked aspect representing strong barrier market deployment technologies. Therefore, this study uses life-cycle assessment (S-LCA) techniques evaluate proposed systems described above. inventory developed qualitative data from industrial companies involved different stages system life cycle. Results showed that has medium-high with great potential improvement especially manufacturing end-of-life stages. In particular, value more effort should be put strengthen engagement local communities sustainability chain actors.

Language: Английский

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Carbon neutrality in the Finnish energy sector: prospects for a fossil‐fuel phase out

Biofuels Bioproducts and Biorefining, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 18(4), P. 1065 - 1076

Published: Feb. 7, 2024

Abstract The Finnish government has set a target of reaching carbon neutrality by 2035 and renewable energy is playing an increasingly important role in the sector. Bioenergy from forest biomass currently most utilized resource. European Union regulations are imposing limitations on use for environmental reasons, however, sector having to look alternative options reach neutrality. This paper reviews latest changes industry Finland evaluates prospective development fossil fuel replacement future system. study shows that only combination all available forms can enable be achieved 2035. There good possibility replace fuels fully sector; wind will increase its share electricity production, continue play crucial heating Industry transport sector, face greater challenges should studied more detail.

Language: Английский

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Funding and financing the zero emissions journey: urban visions from the 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: Oct. 5, 2023

Abstract Cities play a critical role in delivering emission-free futures, yet the financial capacities, together with unprecedented estimated capital requirements represent substantial barriers to climate action. In this study, we use data collected through European Mission on 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart investigate how 362 ambitious, differently prepared cities are fostering investment, under three aspects of (i) readiness, (ii) proactiveness, (iii) innovation. On one hand, according their self-assessment, over 70% have not estimated—not even roughly—the total investment needed become neutral majority experience financing only few specific projects, ill-equipped tap markets, developed marginally co-financing private sector, (iv) taken no steps establish an investor-ready pipeline projects contributing neutrality. other at forefront innovation, creating blueprints business models that being tested learning-by-doing approach, deep long-lasting transformative change, establishing coordinating mechanisms new players. context, current management, regulation, institutional arrangements key unlocking access enabling environment for city level. The different levels maturity terms readiness discussed as catalysers

Language: Английский

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Are cities ready to synergise climate neutrality and air quality efforts?

Sustainable Cities and Society, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 106059 - 106059

Published: Dec. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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