Oliver Chan’s Post

In this blog, Arcadis Global Sustainability Director Mark McKenna discusses the path to a planet positive future - focusing on energy transition, environmental restoration, climate resilience and new mobility solutions. Implementing these can help our clients move closer to their sustainability goals. We can enhance our value chain’s lifespan by collaborating with professional communities to drive nature-centered innovations 🌍. From urban reforestation to flood resilience, discover different ways to help create stronger, more sustainable cities. Read on: https://okt.to/eayCcb #SustainabilityJourney #PlanetPositiveFuture

📢 All eyes on Montréal and the 2024 #Innovate4Cities Conference! I'm excited and honoured to moderate the session "Making city climate action inclusive, fair, and just" this Wednesday featuring incredible voices such as Carolina Basualdo, the Mayor of Despeñaderos in Argentina, Beatrice Alain, DG de Chantier de l'Économie Social, and Kahsennenhawe Sky-deer, Former Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawa:ke. Hosted by the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme), the Conference is set to shape global discussions on climate progress by leveraging the efforts of subnational governments at a time when 70% of cities are facing major climate impacts, thus demanding immediate action. Over 3 days, #I4C24 will feature more than 200 sessions, bringing together cities, academia, and solution providers from business, civil society, and especially communities that often don’t have a seat at the table, to advance innovative solutions for city climate action. The aim is to accelerate progress on the Paris Agreement goals, inform the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s Seventh Assessment (AR7) Report, and serve as a dynamic forum for bridging data and technology gaps, especially in underserved regions and cities in the Global South. Register to attend the Conference online: 👉 https://lnkd.in/dPwAqe69

🌍 A recent report from the European Environment Agency reveals how urban areas and cities are leading the charge against climate change.   For example by: 🟢 Promoting urban agriculture: Creating urban green spaces fosters sustainability and resilience. 🟢Improving public spaces: Implementing regulations that promote energy efficiency and resilience to extreme weather events. 🟢Preserving cultural heritage: Through good governance, citizen engagement, and knowledge-based decision-making. This helps to reduce carbon emissions through sustainable building practices, educates on climate adaptation from historical examples, and promotes sustainable tourism. These innovative solutions keep urban areas cool, reduce pollution, help retain water, and give people pleasant, more liveable spaces.  📰Check out the report for more ways how your city can rise to the climate challenge: https://lnkd.in/ejvS-ig9 #ClimateAction #PublicPolicy #CommunityResilience #ClimateMitigation

U.S. coastal cities are coming the closest to meeting sustainability goals set by the UN, according to the first analysis of 100 metropolitan cities by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). But no U.S. city has yet managed to reach a score of even half of what is necessary to satisfy the Paris Climate Agreement. America's Most (and Least) Sustainable Cities, Ranked https://lnkd.in/g-zvYyQw

San Francisco ranks 35th in #SCI24, the highest North American city in our index. The city's high rating is unsurprising following its 2021 Climate Action Plan, and due to excelling in emissions targets and waste management. The battle for sustainability will be won or lost in our cities. Explore the Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index 2024, ranking 100 cities across 67 metrics: https://okt.to/qW10Uh #ArcadisSCI24 #ArcadisSustainableCitiesIndex #SustainableCities

𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐔 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧? Several projects are running at the same time, some are intertwined and some are laying foundations for further research. Key initiatives include the "𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘶𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭" and "𝘚𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯" and the "𝘈𝘥𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯". Projects like CLIMAAX and RESIST Project support local risk assessment and adaptation strategies, while UPPER focuses on public transport innovation to reduce emissions. The main goal behind all these are to make 𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 150 𝐄𝐔 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞-𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐲 2030, setting a benchmark for global climate resilience. Cities contribute 70% of EU emissions, with urban energy use at 55% and transport at 26%. EU has committed around EUR 100 million across multiple projects targeting climate adaptation and smart urban planning. Through initiatives like 𝘋𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘛𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘴, cities 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭. Following the incidents in several countries like Spain, Austria, Czechia, Germany, Poland, it gets more and more critical to pinpoint these risks and take drastic mitigating actions. 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕? 𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐀𝐗: Horizon Europe funded project that began in January 2023 and focuses on developing a customized framework and toolbox for climate risk assessment. It aims to assist communities in evaluating and managing their vulnerabilities to climate change. 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓: Another five year EU funded project aimed at enhancing the resilience of regions in Europe to climate change. It involves collaboration among twelve regions to address both the physical impacts of climate change and the sociopolitical challenges. 𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐑: Horizon Europe project that aims to transform public transport across Europe, focusing on achieving zero-emission mobility. It started in January 2023 and will run until December 2026, working towards innovative solutions in public transportation. Source: European Commission - Projects Info Pack #Climateresilience #EUmissions #Sustainablecities #Urbaninnovation #Netzero2030 #Greentransition

Nothing feels more powerful than local heroes leading the charge in climate action!✨ As we know, every small action counts when it comes to climate sustainability. While global commitments are essential, the groundwork often starts at local levels. In recent years, I've seen a burgeoning interest in localised climate action plans. Municipalities and cities are actively creating or implementing their own sustainability roadmaps. These blueprints not only align with larger national goals but also cater specifically to the unique needs of local communities and ecosystems. By integrating renewable energy sources, enhancing green spaces, and promoting sustainable urban planning, municipalities - big and small - are setting remarkable examples. For example, have you seen the incredible work that the City of Calgary is doing on the Community Energy Improvement Program - similar to property assessed clean energy in other places. There is tremendous uptake on this program by Calgarians to reduce the GHG emissions of their homes. Buildings account for a significant portion of Calgarians' GHGs and access to capital allows people to make these changes now, not later. Let's pivot our discussions toward these community-driven success stories. What strategies have worked in your area? How can we scale these initiatives to have even broader impacts? 

The planned activities within the EU4Green project

Unveiling Success: Highlights from the 2024 Cree Regional Climate Forum Imagine three days of collaborative synergy, nestled in the heart of the boreal forest in Ouje-Bougoumou, where over 150 visionaries from 10 Cree Nations, neighboring First Nations, and government bodies convened. As a lead member of the organizing committee, I'm thrilled to share the transformative outcomes of this monumental event. From immersive field trips to the unveiling of the Ouje eco-center, we witnessed firsthand the promise of sustainable development within communities. The rich cultural heritage of the Cree people came alive at the Cree Cultural Institute, reinforcing our commitment to preserving such a legacy. Beyond strategic discussions, evenings were marked by locally harvested traditional food, vibrant social time, and a talent show, fostering connections through laughter and shared experiences—feeding both body and soul. These moments of camaraderie were integral to building the collaborative spirit that fueled our work. Crucially, the forum ignited synergies and partnerships, laying the groundwork for a resilient future. From drafting a comprehensive climate declaration to laying the foundations of a regional adaptation plan and crafting 27 calls to action, our collective efforts are charting a course towards climate resilience across the traditional territory of Eeyou Istchee. As we reflect on the forum's impact, I extend heartfelt gratitude to all partners and participants for their unwavering dedication, energy, and contributions. Together, we are architects of change, forging a path towards a brighter, greener future for generations to come. #ClimateAction #Sustainability #CreeNation #CommunityEngagement #Impact #IndigenousLeadership #Adaptation 🌱🌍

What an impactful three days at the #Innovate4Cities Conference, organized by the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM), UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme), Bloomberg Philanthropies and the European Union. If I had to sum up my experience in one word, it would be "MASTERPIECE" in a figurative sense. The sessions, led by researchers and practitioners, provided invaluable insights into the urgent challenges cities face due to climate change, and actionable solutions to drive impactful change. Here are a few key takeaways: 🟪The Growing Urban Challenge: With over 70% of urban areas already feeling the effects of climate change, and 2.5 billion more people expected to move into cities by 2050, cross-sector partnerships have never been more critical. Protecting our most vulnerable populations, particularly those in informal settlements, will require innovative solutions, partnerships, and bold leadership. 🟩A Shift Toward Systemic Management Practices: The future of city management lies in systems-based thinking—focusing on interconnections, adapting to change, and fostering collaboration. This approach promotes healthier urban environments and aligns with science- and ethics-based thresholds. It's inspiring to see cities like Kitchener already adopting this forward-thinking strategy! 🟫Overcoming Barriers to Climate Action: Jurisdictional issues and limited access to climate finance are significant hurdles for cities, but solutions are within reach. Strengthening creditworthiness, building capacity, and engaging citizens can help overcome these obstacles. Not all solutions require cutting-edge tech like AI—often, simpler, more accessible strategies (the 'low-hanging fruit') have the most immediate impact. 🟦Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Climate Action: To create more resilient cities, we need to embrace Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). Engaging stakeholders, especially marginalized communities, Indigenous peoples, and youth, provide invaluable perspectives and representation. Workshops, inclusive planning, and active involvement throughout implementation ensure that their voices are heard—and acted upon. Beyond the sessions, I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with inspiring individuals across diverse sectors, all making significant strides in advancing climate action: Alison Shaw, Cathy Oke, Melanija Tacconi, Freyja Harris, Geneviève Abbott, Toyosi Igejongbo, Lauren Vincent, Lauren Esposito Anderson, Abiodun ADERIBIGBE, Michelle Moxley-Peltier, Rutger de Graaf, Irini Pantelidou, Camilla Kapustina, Rachel Mitchell, Carine Ingabire, among others. Thank you all for the incredible conversations. Find out more about GCOM here: https://lnkd.in/eQFpk_BZ Did you miss the Municipal Net-Zero Action-Research Partnership presentations? Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gU-s85RG #ClimateAction #Sustainability #NetZero #EDI #innovate4cities #GCOM