Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP)’s Post

🌬 BREATHING CLEAN AIR 🌿 👉 96% of the EU’s urban population are exposed to health damaging levels of air pollution with children, elderly, people in poor health, women, and socio-economic disadvantaged groups being hit hardest 🚴♂️ As a frequent cyclist along the heavy traffic roads of Brussels, I am glad that steps are being taken to improve air quality in cities around Europe for cleaner air and better health 💚 Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) are currently working for the Clean Air Fund to conduct five case studies on how Low and Zero Emission Zones can be implemented in a socially acceptable way. Below is the publication of the first three: Stockholm, Milan, and Brussels 👇

Aalborg Kommune to host conference on sustainable cities and towns - The European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns will come together at #Aalborg2024 in Denmark to help shape a climate-neutral, resilient and just future ICLEI Europe #climateaction #climatechange https://ow.ly/QzNz50SlUL7

Aalborg Kommune to host conference on sustainable cities and towns - The European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns will come together at #Aalborg2024 in Denmark to help shape a climate-neutral, resilient and just future ICLEI Europe #climateaction #climatechange https://ow.ly/QzNz50SlUL7

Aalborg Kommune to host conference on sustainable cities and towns - The European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns will come together at #Aalborg2024 in Denmark to help shape a climate-neutral, resilient and just future ICLEI Europe #climateaction #climatechange https://ow.ly/QzNz50SlUL7

Preparing my presentation for the forthcoming Smart City Expo Curitiba on 'The rise of 20-minute neighbourhoods –how cities can become greener, wilder, more inclusive, livable and poetic. I will be joining a conversation with peer urbanists facilitated by Glaico Gundim dos Santos in one of my best cities of Brazil, Curitiba- home of IPPUC - Instituto de Pesquisa e Planejamento Urbano de Curitiba and of so many co-workers over the years. The overall topic for the discussion is: How can cities foster circular economy and reduce ecological footprint? Do you have any tested ideas...? #SCECWB2024

In the past few weeks, I've had the privilege to listen and engage with experts passionate about Low Emission Zones (LEZs). The first session, a webinar by C40 Cities, delved into the pathways to LEZs. The discussion predominantly revolved around international experiences, drawing insights from cities like London and Milan. Experts shared experiences on LEZ implementations, alongside discussions on reshaping the narrative around sectoral contributions to air pollution in India. Similarly, the one-day workshop on LEZs by The International Council on Clean Transportation covered a spectrum of themes, ranging from defining LEZs to estimating potential impacts and designing legal pathways. Notably, both sessions underscored the need for Indian cities to customise their approaches to LEZ implementation. I firmly believe that rather than merely replicating European strategies, we should go one step forward by addressing additional challenges related to our unique landscape and urbanization dynamics. Data and technology will be crucial tools in generating evidence, conducting integrated policy analyses, and reshaping policy narratives to influence resident behaviour and perception positively. Furthermore, in addressing transportation-related emissions in Indian cities, it's imperative to address the reduction of both exhaust and non-exhaust emissions as integral components of the solution, rather than separate discussions. We are eager to share our forthcoming findings on Low Emission Zones, and until then stay tuned to Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) for updates. #cleantransportation #lowemissions

🌍🏙️ This week's #SustainableTuesday is all about the 2023 European Urban Resilience Forum that just came to a close in Cascais, Portugal! 🇵🇹 Organized by ICLEI and the European Environment Agency, Resilience-makers, Resilience innovators, Resilience providers, and Resilience supporters from 44 countries including city representatives, academia, community organizations, the European Commission, and the United Nations, came together to shape a resilient future for Europe and beyond. This event served as a vital platform to define pathways for a resilient transformation in our urban environments and as a role model for how we should tackle the issues of today in order to become more adaptable for those of tomorrow. One key takeaway from the forum was a powerful quote by Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans & Fisheries: "Connections are the secret to a sustainable future. When a city has a plan for sustainable mobility, it does it by breaking the silos. It means much more than easing transport: it means bringing down noise and air pollution, lowering emissions to fight climate change, calmer streets with more trees and green areas, increasing resilience to floods and heat with additional benefits for public health. In a warming world, the cities that thrive will be the cities with a #holistic vision – cities that understand people and their needs, their well-being, and their interactions with the environment – cities with a shared vision of the future." This quote beautifully encapsulates the spirit our Sustainability Team at Eindhoven University of Technology carries when we talk about #transition and a more #sustainable future for us all. Let's continue to work together and strive for a world that prioritizes both, people and the environment, for a better, brighter tomorrow! 🌆🌿 #UrbanResilience #Sustainability #ResilienceForum #Sustainabilitytransitions #SustainableTUe

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆! On the 1st day of our #UrbanPulse City𝗫Change   🔴Happening in Mexico City!   🟢𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀? 6 sessions full of interesting city-led initiatives from Semarang, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Rio de Janeiro. Our partners Yale, Howden, The Rockefeller Foundation, and C40 brought their public health, insurance, data science, and mitigation expertise to the conversation.   Three things are clear:   1️⃣ The profound impact that climate change is having on the most vulnerable members of society is sharply increasing the #HealthInequityGap. Poor air quality, the spread of infectious diseases, water security, and mental health were some of the most mentioned topics.   2️⃣ We need more evidence to show how climate change is provoking diseases and affecting health, and we need to evolve policies that enable climate-resilient health systems.   3️⃣ Cities are already implementing solutions that are helping create a healthier urban future for all. We must scale up that change.   📢A big thank you to #MexicoCity government officials who helped us kick off our 3-day exchange. The Rockefeller Foundation, Enrique. Adame Llamas, Gabriela Pignataro, Yale Institute for Global Health.   👁 our 1st wrap up 👇

#NatureBasedSolutions are: - Locally adapted - Resource efficient - Cost effective They can include: - Restoration and planting of #forests - Greening #urbanareas - Climate-smart forest management - Sustainable land management Since the launch of the #TreesinCitiesChallenge in 2019, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe has called upon mayors and local governments worldwide to plant trees in urban areas, fostering greener, healthier, and more sustainable cities that are resilient to climate change. Become part of a global movement to restore, protect, and sustainably manage terrestrial ecosystems: https://lnkd.in/grN2twKQ

[EVENT HIGHLIGHT] 🌃 According to the obtained data, the City of Zagreb distinguishes itself in Europe for its concerning light footprint, surpassing cities such as Bratislava, Sofia, Ljubljana, and Belgrade. 🌟 At the recent expert-scientific conference, 'Maksimalno na strani prirode', organized by Javna ustanova Maksimir, our Associate Consultant, Valentino Pintar, took the stage alongside Daniela Hamidović and Mladen Zadravec from the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. Their insightful lecture, titled 'Night is as Important as Day - Preserving the Nightlife of Zagreb,' shed light on an essential aspect of urban development. 📊 Analysing Light Pollution in Zagreb Valentino and his co-presenters delved into the analysis of light pollution in Zagreb, spanning from 2014 to the present day. They explored its far-reaching implications for preserving the natural darkness of the night sky and the importance of adhering to regulations in lighting planning. Their research relied on data gathered via VIIRS instruments, which monitor artificial lighting's intensity and distribution on Earth through the Google Earth Engine platform. 🌌 A Glimpse into the Findings The research revealed that green and blue infrastructure play a pivotal role in mitigating light pollution, underscoring the significance of sustainable urban planning. 🌐 For further information about this enlightening event and its outcomes, visit: https://lnkd.in/dS6z7tXH #LightPollution #SustainableUrbanDevelopment #Zagreb #ConferenceHighlight