Sustainable, Resource Efficient Cities – Making It
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This publication aims to formulate a broader framework of integration which is required for cities to transition to sustainable, resource efficient development and to realise green urban economic growth United Nations Environment Programme trajectories that are equitable P.O. Box 30552 Nairobi, 00100 Kenya Tel: (254 20) 7621234 and sustainable. It frames the Fax: (254 20) 7623927 E-mail: [email protected] question of urban sustainability in a web: www.unep.org conceptual foundation and language that places human development For more information, contact: SUSTAINABLE, RESOURCE objectives at the heart of urban UNEP DTIE sustainability transitions. It presents Sustainable Consumption and EFFICIENT CITIES – Production Branch a set of policy positions and 15 rue de Milan MAKING IT HAPPEN! recommendations within a strategic 75441 Paris Cedex 09 framework that is derived from this France Tel: +33 1 44 37 14 50 understanding. Fax: +33 1 44 37 14 74 Email: [email protected] www.unep.org/resourceefficiency ROGRAMME P NVIRONMENT E ATIONS N ISBN: 978-92-807-3270-2 NITED DTI/1538/PA U Acknowledgements About the UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics Supervision and coordination: Arab Hoballah, UNEP Soraya Smaoun, UNEP Set up in 1975, three years after UNEP was created, the Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE) provides solutions to policy-makers and helps Lead authors: Camaren Peter, Sustainability Institute, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa change the business environment by offering platforms for dialogue and co- Mark Swilling, Sustainability Institute, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa operation, innovative policy options, pilot projects and creative market mechanisms. Technical support: DTIE plays a leading role in three of the six UNEP strategic priorities: climate Michaela Winter, UNEP Consultant Sharon Gil, UNEP Consultant change, harmful substances and hazardous waste, resource efficiency. Contributions and peer reviews: DTIE is also actively contributing to the Green Economy Initiative launched by We would like to thank the following for their valuable inputs: Dan Hoornweg (World UNEP in 2008. This aims to shift national and world economies on to a new path, Bank), David Miller (former Mayor of Toronto, Canada), Gaell Mainguy (Institute Veolia Environment), David Dodman (IIED), Dr Kwigong Kim (Urban Environmental Members in which jobs and output growth are driven by increased investment in green Alliance, Korea), Blake Robinson (Sustainability Institute, South Africa), Elisa Tonda (UNEP- sectors, and by a switch of consumers’ preferences towards environmentally ROLAC), Graciela Metternicht (UNEP-ROLAC), Stefanos Fotiou (UNEP-ROAP), Kamala friendly goods and services. Ernest (UNEP-Transport Unit) and Nicola da Schio (UNEP- Built Environment Unit). Photos: Unless otherwise stated pictures have been sourced from iStockphoto® Moreover, DTIE is responsible for fulfilling UNEP’s mandate as an and Shutterstock®. implementing agency for the Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund and plays an executing role for a number of UNEP projects financed by the Design/Layout: Steve Paveley Design. Global Environment Facility. The Office of the Director, located in Paris, coordinates activities through: > The International Environmental Technology Centre – IETC (Osaka), which implements integrated waste, water and disaster management programmes, focusing in particular on Asia. > Sustainable Consumption and Production (Paris), which promotes sustainable consumption and production patterns as a contribution to human development through global markets. > Chemicals (Geneva), which catalyses global actions to bring about the sound management of chemicals and the improvement of chemical safety worldwide. > Energy (Paris and Nairobi), which fosters energy and transport policies for sustainable development and encourages investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Copyright © United Nations Environment Programme, 2012 > OzonAction (Paris), which supports the phase-out of ozone depleting substances in developing countries and countries with economies in transition to ensure implementation This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part and in any form for of the Montreal Protocol. educational or non-profit purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, provided acknowledgement of the source is made. UNEP would appreciate > Economics and Trade (Geneva), which helps countries to integrate environmental receiving a copy of any publication that uses this publication as a source. considerations into economic and trade policies, and works with the finance sector to incorporate sustainable development policies. This branch is also charged with producing green No use of this publication may be made for resale or for any other commercial economy reports. purpose whatsoever without prior permission in writing from the United Nations Environment Programme. DTIE works with many partners (other UN agencies and Disclaimer programmes, international organizations, governments, non- The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the United Nations governmental organizations, business, industry, the media and Environment Programme concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or the public) to raise awareness, improve the transfer of knowledge area or of its authorities, or concerning delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Moreover, the views expressed do not necessarily represent the decision and information, foster technological cooperation and implement or the stated policy of the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP promotes international conventions and agreements. nor does citing of trade names or commercial processes constitute environmentally sound endorsement. practices globally and in its own ISBN: 978-92-807-3270-2 activities. This publication is printed For more information, on 100% recycled paper, using vegetable-based inks and other eco-friendly practices. www.unep.org/dtie Our distribution policy aims to reduce UNEP’s carbon footprint. 1 Sustainable, resource efficient cities – Making it happen! Urbanisation in the 21st century – trends and pressures Sustainable, resource efficient cities – Making it Happen! Contents Acronyms and abbreviations 4 Foreword 5 Executive summary 6 Urbanisation in the 21st century – 1 trends and pressures 7 1.1 Sustainable cities – A new era: Framing the challenges 8 1.2 Global change trends: pressures and drivers of global uncertainty 10 1.2.1 The second wave of urbanisation 10 1.2.2 Cities, global resource scarcity and the next industrial transition 11 1.2.3 Global climate change 12 1.3 City growth trends 13 1.3.1 Growth of cities 13 Contents 1.3.2 Slums, informality and the urban divide 13 1.4 Global resource constraints 14 1.4.1 Materials and energy 14 1.4.2 Oil 15 1.4.3 Waste 16 1.4.4 Water 17 1.4.5 Food 17 1.4.6 Transportation: congestion, air pollution and emissions 18 1.5 Emerging trends in global governance 19 1.5.1 The emergence of a carbon economy 19 1.5.2 The rapid growth of the green economy 21 1.6 Implications of global change trends for cities 22 1.6.1 General implications for cities 22 1.6.2 Implications for cities in the developing world 23 City infrastructures: sustainability 2 challenges and choices 27 2.1 Rethinking city infrastructure themes 28 2.2 Rationale for selected infrastructure themes 30 2.2.1 Energy efficiency in the building sector 30 2.2.2 Waste management 32 2.2.3 Sustainable urban transport 34 2.2.4 Water and wastewater 37 2.2.5 Urban ecosystem management 38 2 Sustainable, resource efficient cities – Making it Happen! How cities can transition to sustainable, 3 resource efficient growth 41 3.1 Distinguishing between different city-level sustainability responses 42 3.2 Integrated approaches for city-scale sustainability 44 3.2.1 Liveable and sustainable cities 44 3.2.2 Low-carbon and post-carbon eco-cities 44 3.2.3 City-level energy strategies for post-carbon cities – future choices 46 3.3 Success factors for transitioning to sustainable, resource efficient cities 47 3.4 Enabling integration in city transitions to sustainability – recommendations 49 3.4.1 Thematic and iconic projects and programmes 50 3.4.2 Establishing sector and institutional intermediaries 51 3.4.3 Monitoring and evaluation – the question of indices for city sustainability 51 3.5 Summary and conclusions 53 References 55 Annex 61 Contents CASE STUDY Urban Clean Development Mechanisms: UNEP and the city of Gwangju, Korea 20 CASE STUDY Kuyasa, South Africa 31 CASE STUDY Mariannhill, South Africa 33 CASE STUDY Kampala, Uganda 34 CASE STUDY Bogota, Colombia 35 CASE STUDY Linkoping, Sweden 36 CASE STUDY Orangi, Pakistan 37 CASE STUDY Seoul, South Korea 39 CASE STUDY Curitiba, Brazil 43 CASE STUDY Masdar City, United Arab Emirates 45 CASE STUDY Tianjin City, China 46 Box 1 UNEP projects and programmes – climate change 21 Box 2 Integrating environment into urban governance 28 Box 3 UNEP projects and programmes – sustainable buildings 32 Box 4 UNEP projects and programmes – waste management 34 Box 5 UNEP projects and programmes – transport 36 Table 1 New investment in sustainable energy 2004 - 2010 21 Table 2 Global employment in renewable energies 21 Table 3 Employment projections for renewable energies in 2030 22 Table 4 Resource constraint conditions and affected sectors 23 Table 5 Cities with disaster management and environmental