In the lead-up to COP30, a series of high-level gatherings will take place in Rio de Janeiro from November 3–6, 2025, bringing together mayors and local leaders from around the world. These events
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Solutions for sustainable cities
The Global Platform for Sustainable Cities (GPSC) is a global knowledge and partnership platform led by the World Bank and financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It supports cities around the world in their efforts to become more resilient and liveable through integrated planning, climate-smart solutions, and institutional capacity building.
Events
In a world where all ecosystems are rapidly deteriorating in the face of expanding urban areas and climate change, The French Development Agency (AFD) is working to protect biodiversity in cities and
Events
MDBs Join Forces to Accelerate Urban Transformation On April 7, 2025, the GPSC hosted a Multilateral Development Banks Engagement Meeting in Paris that brought together multilateral development banks
News & Blogs
The climate crisis is getting worse, with both the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and COP28 in its final agreement emphasizing the urgency of steep greenhouse gas emissions
Events
UrbanShift's forum for Africa gathered leaders from cities and national governments from across the continent to collectively discuss the role of urban planning amidst rapid urbanisation and climate
Cities and countries
Upcoming Events
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Showcasing how Earth Observation data can help inform nature-relevant decision-making in cities
28 January, 2026, 8:30 CET
The European Space Agency (ESA), in collaboration with the Urban Nature Program, will host this webinar to showcase how Earth Observation (EO) data can support nature-relevant decision-making in cities, with a particular focus on climate adaptation and urban nature outcomes. The session will
Xi’an, China
Bridge for Cities: Shaping Sustainable Cities with Technology and Innovation
18 October - 20 October, 2025, 9:00 CET
Background The 2025 edition of UNIDO’s flagship Bridge for Cities event will focus on the vital role of technological advances and inclusive innovation in shaping sustainable urban development. By 2050, over two-thirds of the global population will live in urban areas, requiring bold transformations
Nairobi, Kenya
Green and Resilient Urbanshift Africa Forum
17 February, 2025, 8:00 CET
UrbanShift's forum for Africa gathered leaders from cities and national governments from across the continent to collectively discuss the role of urban planning amidst rapid urbanisation and climate breakdown. Hosted in Nairobi, Kenya, the regional UrbanShift Forum for Africa brought together cities
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The World Bank and the GEF launch next phase of Sustainable Cities Integrated Program
The World Bank and the GEF expand support to 40 additional cities with targeted grants and co-financing pathways to drive sustainable urban development Mayors
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The City‑Industry‑Climate Nexus: UNIDO white paper on decarbonizing cities
Cities consume most of the world’s energy and generate the majority of greenhouse gas emissions. Yet urban areas - especially in low‑ and middle‑income
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By 2050, almost two-thirds of the world’s population will live in cities, which already consume most of the world’s energy and emit the majority of greenhouse gases. This makes urban areas central to both the causes of climate change and the solutions. The white paper argues that decarbonizing cities is not only environmental policy, but a strategic industrial agenda. It introduces the “city-industry-climate nexus,” where infrastructure, production systems, value chains, and climate action converge. Cities host the industries that supply
Compendium for City Good Practice Series: How Paris Is Leveraging Nature For Climate Resilience
This report, as part of the Compendium for City Good Practice series, highlights Paris's innovative approach to climate resilience through the strategic integration of nature into urban environments. It offers a comprehensive overview of Paris's strategy on urban nature, showcasing how the city is integrating biodiversity into planning, leveraging green spaces, biodiversity corridors, and sustainable landscaping to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The report serves as a valuable resource for cities worldwide seeking to emulate Paris's successful model of
