While 55% of the global population live in cities today, this will rise to 68% by 2050. Rapid urbanization threatens to disproportionately affect cities.
Yet, 70% of climate solutions lie with subnational authorities. UNEP is supporting cities globally in addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, by accelerating their climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, and mainstream environmental sustainability principles into relevant economic and social policies and programmes.
UNEP's work on cities is implemented through integrated efforts on four sub-workstreams:
(1) Zero-emission, efficient, and resilient buildings and construction
(2) Sustainable Energy and Cooling
(3) Net-zero, Circular, and Nature-positive Cities; and
(4) Urban Food Systems and Food Waste
Our work on Cities is carried out through public-private partnerships, often involving partners, collaborating centers and networks.
