ENERGIES 2050 is the lead author of the new UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) publication on climate finance for cities and buildings

The importance of cities in mitigating climate change is that they are home to the majority of the world’s population and account for about 75% of energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The building sector is often the main source of these emissions.

That said, cities and buildings have a significant and unique potential to reduce these emissions. In order to implement effective GHG mitigation strategies, cities require technical support and financial resources.

Climate finance provides a unique opportunity to access international funds to support GHG mitigation activities while providing a methodological framework for measuring results. However, to date, climate financing mechanisms have not been adapted to the complexity of the urban environment. However, a transition is underway to change this – by developing more flexible and accessible mechanisms.

The new UNEP publication Climate Finance for Cities and Buildings – A Handbook for Local Governments aims to contribute to raising awareness among local actors regarding climate finance and the challenges and opportunities for mitigation of GHGs in the built environment. It gives an overview of the main mechanisms of climate finance and highlights their relevance in the urban context. It also addresses key considerations for measurement, reporting and verification (MNV), which is essential to ensure the quality and monitoring of climate change mitigation activities.

ENERGIES 2050 is the lead author of this Handbook and is pleased to have worked with UNEP to produce this document for use by local communities and other actors in the built environment. This tool responds to a need, which has been raised many times, to provide a synthesis of “what, why and how” in terms of climate finance for cities and buildings, particularly in the context of rapid urbanization of countries in development.

Cities and low-carbon buildings are an important part of ENERGIES 2050’s Vision for a Sustainable Energy Future, in which energy saving, energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy are an integral part of our societies. This publication is one of many activities carried out by ENERGIES 2050 to help mitigate and adapt to climate change on the ground. These include the active involvement of ENERGIES 2050 in the UNEP Climate and Sustainable Buildings Initiative (SBCI) and the Francophonie Initiative for Sustainable Cities, co-founded by ENERGIES 2050 and the IFDD (Institute of La Francophonie for Sustainable Development, subsidiary body of the Organization Internationale de la Francophonie-OIF).

The topics covered in this Handbook are of the utmost importance and ENERGIES 2050 will continue to work on this issue in partnership with UNEP and other key stakeholders. It would be a great pleasure for ENERGIES 2050 to be associated with other initiatives that help spread knowledge and knowledge and transform constraints into opportunities. Do not hesitate to contact us for any opportunity in this direction.

ENERGIES 2050 will implement other activities that rely on this Handbook, such as webinars and other resources … do not hesitate to visit this page regularly!

Climate Finance for Cities and Buildings – A Manual for Local Governments is a document developed as part of a research collaboration between the Korea Environment Institute (KEI) and UNEP. Research cooperation is financially supported by KEI and UNEP is an implementing partner. The main authors are members of ENERGIES 2050.