Jonathan Macias’ Post

🌆 Urban Climate Action! An insightful report from UNDP, UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) and the Syddansk Universitet - University of Southern Denmark, Bloomberg Philanthropies and C40 Cities shows us that cities account for about 70% of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions, which means that their role in achieving #climategoals is more critical. Analysis of urban areas highlighted several challenges and solutions: 👉Urban Focus: 66% of NDCs need greater emphasis on urban priorities. 👉Funding Gaps: Many NDCs need finance, only 26 specify urban-level funding requests. 👉Key Sectors: Critical urban sectors like energy, transport, waste, and water, essential for both mitigation and adaptation. 👉Climate Hazards: 89% of NDCs address climate hazards, but only 40% specifically mention urban climate risks. "Urban content of NDCs: Local climate action explored through in-depth country analyses” underscores the importance of incorporating #urbanstrategies into national commitments, making cities essential partners in climate action. 🔗 Download the full #report: https://lnkd.in/d9qVkigk The AT LAST project is working to support local authorities in navigating these challenges. Stay tuned for more insights from our publications! #UrbanClimateAction #NDCs #ClimatePromise #ATLAST #Sustainability

As we head towards 2024 being the hottest year on record with temperatures on average more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, there are growing concerns about the global political commitment to climate change action. The good news is that cities around the world remain committed to the science and evidence-based climate action – regardless of what nation states choose to do.  Proof of this is the launching of the 2024 #Innovate4Cities Outcomes Report at #WUF12 in Cairo! Co-developed by the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM), UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme), and Melbourne Centre for Cities, this comprehensive report consolidates breakthrough insights from #I4C24, where nearly 2,000 experts met to discuss the intersections between science, policy and innovation that influence sustainable and just urban transformations. 🔍 Core advancements include: ➜ An updated Global Research & Action Agenda on Cities and Climate Change Science (GRAA) that engages with and signals new opportunities and challenges such as sufficiency and overshoot. ➜ A holistic, inclusive, and ambitious digital transformation - as seen at the AI x City Climate Action Hackathon - identifying pathways to unlock the data, evidence, and interdisciplinary partnerships needed to convert climate plans into action implementation. ➜ The Climate Innovation Readiness Navigator for Cities and Local Governments (CIRN), a methodology developed in partnership with @Arup to help cities enhance their readiness to engage each other in innovative climate action. Radical realism indicates that now is the time to work even harder and to do even more at the local and city level. Access the full report here: https://lnkd.in/dn2z-jnY

I’m excited to share that I’ve completed a specialized course on Cities and Climate Change by UN CC-Learn! Key takeaways: ➡️ The dual role of cities in climate change: How urban areas are both vulnerable to climate impacts and significant contributors to global emissions.   ➡️ Climate risks faced by urban areas: Increased flooding, heatwaves, and resource scarcity that threaten lives and infrastructure.   ➡️ Urban contributions to climate change: The impacts of energy consumption, waste management, and transportation systems on greenhouse gas emissions.   ➡️ Innovative urban planning strategies: Designing climate-resilient cities with green spaces, sustainable housing, and efficient public transit.   ➡️ The importance of collaboration: Engaging governments, businesses, and communities in collective climate action.   ➡️ Real-world examples of solutions: Case studies of cities successfully adapting to climate challenges through policy and innovation.  I now have a deeper understanding of how urban areas can transition to more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive spaces in the face of climate change. 🌆🌱  #ClimateAction #Sustainability #UrbanPlanning #GreenCities #SustainableDevelopment #UNHabitat #UNITAR

Digitalization is revolutionizing various sectors, and rangeland restoration is no exception. It offers a powerful toolkit for decision making and evidence based monitoring. By harnessing the power of Earth observation, the LISTEN project has been able to visually track the restoration process by comparing Remote Sensing snapshots taken before, during and after reseeding. This longitudinal data analysis provides critical insights into the effectiveness of reseeding efforts, helping to identify areas of success and those that require further intervention. Such insights are invaluable for both short-term restoration efforts and long-term planning, ultimately strengthening ecosystem resilience and promoting sustainable land management practices in these vital rangelands. #Impact_that_matters #digitalization #Spatial_Analysis

🆕 blog post out! Urbanisation, climate change and extreme weather phenomena are posing several challenges to our cities which can lead all of us to costly damages. Coping with these risks is a persistent challenge! Our cities have to go through a big transformation to be able to mitigate these climate and environmental shocks. The urban energy sector has to also be transformed by adopting more sustainable and resilient urban solutions to address these diverse environmental impacts. 💡 These smart solutions must address supply-demand mismatches and uncertainties from intermittent energy sources and climate crises. On this topic, we are pleased to host a guest article from two experts; Kavan Javanroodi (assistant professor) and Vahid Nik (professor) from the Lund University. Read here the full article 👉 https://lnkd.in/eAtAafi2 #urban #energysector #climatechange #climateadaptation #sustainablecities #resilientcities #energysolutions EU_BUILD UP EU Environment and Climate RES4CITY SHERLOCK project

🌍 Proud to share that I've completed the Specialized Module on Cities and Climate Change by United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) ! 🌱 This course has deepened my understanding of how urban areas impact and are impacted by climate change. Key learnings include: The transformative role of cities in achieving green and climate-resilient development Integration of climate adaptation and mitigation strategies in urban planning Adaptation measures tailored for sustainable urban growth As we work toward sustainable urban environments, I'm excited to apply these insights to further drive change and contribute to a resilient future. #ClimateChange #UrbanDevelopment #Sustainability #UNHabitat #UNITAR #ClimateAction #SustainableCities

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are the way forward for cities to address environmental challenges. By bringing ecosystems services back into cities, NbS can help cities adapt to climate change, reduce urban heat island effects, clean air, manage water, and rebalance cities' relationships with their surrounding areas. UNenvironment program, UNEP, has released a report titled "Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Cities: The Power of Nature-based Solutions," investigating the potential of NbS to help build smart, sustainable, and resilient cities. Check out the report to learn more about how NbS can contribute to the development of smart cities that are sustainable and resilient. #smartcities #sustainable_smart_cities #resillent_cities #NbS #UNEP #SFCL https://lnkd.in/dTXA52-5

Progress is being made to save the planet. But remember, MAGA members think Climate Change is a Hoax. Our son, a molecular plant biologist, would tell us, "Mother Earth will get rid of us," so take action to save humanity. #climatescience #climatechange

Europe is warming at twice the global rate, and our cities are feeling the heat... A new Sweco study highlights this critical issue, revealing that urban areas are struggling to keep pace with adaptation measures for extreme weather events.     Key findings: 🤔 Significant risks to public health, toll on infrastructure, and economic productivity.  🤔 Heat-related concerns are often overlooked in city climate plans, especially for vulnerable populations     Recommendations: 🎯 Focus on adaptation for vulnerable groups and facilities (preschools, assisted living facilities, care homes etc.)  🎯 Invest in knowledge and data-driven innovation, adapt planning and design on a building and neighborhood scale. Vulnerability mapping is needed to identify relevant actions.  🎯 Implement nature-based solutions and provide cooler spaces as resource areas.  🎯 Foster collaborative governance and public awareness.  🎯 Prioritise city-scale climate equity and sustainability to build resilience for the future.     Read the full report at https://lnkd.in/eF9xkUjd, with #SwecoUK contributions from Dr Katherine Maxwell, Helene PIELLARD and Joseph F MacNamara.   #NetZeroWeek #NetZeroCities #UrbanTransition #GreenTransition #ClimateResilience #Decarbonisation #ClimateResilience #UrbanInsight #UrbanHeat #ClimateAction #SustainableCities #UrbanPlanning #Sustainability   

Crucial & timely topic! I am wondering if the report will consider social aspects of climate mitigation and adaptation measures, e.g. protecting vulnerable groups from summer heat. Homeless people face high (deadly) risks due to urban heat island effects & lack of shade. Protecting buildings occupied by low-income households requires passive and environmentally friendly measures (shading windows, ventilating, white & green & solar panel-shaded roofs). The potential of panel blocks’ roofs across the CEE region could provide energy for ventilation and cooling but remain unexploited. Vulnerable groups (low-income single parents, elderly pensioners, etc.) should be prioritized with weatherization as they cannot afford air conditioning. Renovation programs must avoid displacing and evicting vulnerable groups. Green investments can fuel the financialization of housing and gentrification leading to deepened housing inequalities. High-income households can weatherize their homes, reducing costs and increasing comfort. Poor households cannot afford upfront costs and are more exposed to climate events and higher energy costs. Vulnerable groups often live in homes more exposed to climate events thus must be protected first.