Energy & Waste

Navigating Heterogeneity: The Way to a Just Energy Transition in the Global South’s Housing Sector

Energy in Cities

Navigating Heterogeneity: The Way to a Just Energy Transition in the Global South’s Housing Sector

By Marie Urfels|2023-04-20T11:29:57+02:00April 20th 2023|

Achieving a just energy transition in the urban housing sectors of the Global South demands recognition and engagement with their heterogeneous energy networks and rapidly evolving spatialities. Marie Urfels explores the challenges of achieving a just energy transition in the housing sector of the Global South while emphasising the importance of embracing these complexities to create targeted, context-specific solutions.

A School with a Soul: Eco-Friendly and Community-Driven Building in Cape Town

Cities built4climate

A School with a Soul: Eco-Friendly and Community-Driven Building in Cape Town

By Peter McIntosh|2022-11-03T11:47:56+01:00November 3rd 2022|

Sustainable building approaches are not only more environmentally friendly than conventional building methods – but they may also teach people how to avoid waste. Peter McIntosh, the founder of the Natural Building Collective, highlights the advantages through the example of Ulwazi Educare in Cape Town.

Making Cities Inclusive for Marginalised and Climate Vulnerable Populations

AFFORDABLE CITIES

Making Cities Inclusive for Marginalised and Climate Vulnerable Populations

By Huda Jaffer and Nirmita Chandrashekar|2022-07-12T15:57:59+02:00July 12th 2022|

The world today needs solutions, to eradicate poverty in a holistic and sustainable manner. They lie in better technology, affordable finance, and induced market linkages. All these are factors that can be incentivised through city governments, argue Huda Jaffer and Nirmita Chandrashekar, emphasising that the poor should be part of the solution and not the problem.

Climate Adaptive Sanitation Technology in Haiti

Climate Adaptive Sanitation Technology in Haiti

By Ashlie Bermudez|2021-10-27T08:27:57+02:00October 27th 2021|

Providing all citizens with access to sanitation is a challenge in many urban centres. Ashlie Bermudez presents how non-profit social enterprise SOIL is meeting this challenge with innovative, sustainable sanitation technology in Haiti.

The Tech-Bin That Revolutionises Circular Waste Management

The Tech-Bin That Revolutionises Circular Waste Management

By Eddy Gitonga|2021-10-21T16:29:29+02:00October 21st 2021|

An intelligent solar-powered device that lights up our streets, educates residents about recycling and gives you free Wi-Fi? What sounds like a far-fetched dream is now a reality! Meet the T-Bin for circular waste management. By Founder Eddy Gitonga

Cities CHALLENGE: What Does a Sustainable and Resilient Community Look Like?

Cities CHALLENGE: What Does a Sustainable and Resilient Community Look Like?

By Andrea Renger, David Stoffel and Anastasiya Shadkhina|2021-10-15T15:03:16+02:00October 14th 2021|

Accompanying the launch of the GIZ Cities CHALLENGE interactive ePaper, Andrea Renger, David Stoffel, and Anastasiya Shadkhina present key facts from the ideas competition and emphases cities' critical role in advancing global agendas.

Don’t Waste Wastewater! Wastewater-to-Energy in Urban Pakistan

Don’t Waste Wastewater! Wastewater-to-Energy in Urban Pakistan

By Masooma Batool|2021-10-21T14:05:22+02:00October 12th 2021|

Climate-resilient and energy-efficient cities need to think about water reuse. Especially in South Asian countries like Pakistan, where the potential of wastewater-to-energy systems is incredibly high. By Masooma Batool

Understanding Dynamics of Urban Poverty in Nigeria: What Role for Urban Governance?

Understanding Dynamics of Urban Poverty in Nigeria: What Role for Urban Governance?

By Bassey Bassey|2021-09-14T11:54:41+02:00September 14th 2021|

How are rapid urbanisation, urban poverty, and slums' emergence interconnected in Nigeria? And what areas of urban governance should local governments focus on if they are to successfully tackle urban poverty? Bassey Bassey shares some reflections.

To Build An Urban Future, Dare Looking At The Basics

To Build An Urban Future, Dare Looking At The Basics

By Maíra Valladares|2021-08-19T09:18:27+02:00August 19th 2021|

The future of our cities is circular, argues Maíra Valladares from 3R - Reduzir, Reusar e Reciclar, a recycling company aiming to circularise Mozambican cities' waste management.

Building Back Better: The Future of Construction

Building Back Better: The Future of Construction

By Martina Otto|2021-11-05T11:33:30+01:00January 28th 2021|

Zero carbon buildings and construction are essential to meet the Paris Agreement goals, improve climate resilience and create jobs as part of COVID-19 recovery. However, the buildings and construction sector is not living up to its potential. What can be done? By Martina Otto

Circular Economies as an Answer to the Waste Crisis: Lessons Learnt

Circular Economies as an Answer to the Waste Crisis: Lessons Learnt

By Donovan Storey|2020-04-21T08:42:07+02:00April 21st 2020|

The world’s cities have a critical role to play in supporting global sustainability efforts and tackling climate change. Effective waste management lies at the very core of these ambitions, says Donovan Storey from the Global Green Growth Institute.

Circular Economies – Benefits for an Urban Setting

Circular Economies – Benefits for an Urban Setting

By Nick Jeffries|2020-04-09T13:16:41+02:00April 9th 2020|

The waste produced by cities does not need to be dumped – but instead can become the starting point of a new production cycle, argues Nick Jeffries from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

In the Face of an Urban Climate Emergency, Collaborate!

In the Face of an Urban Climate Emergency, Collaborate!

By Tucker Landesman & Heiner von Lüpke|2020-03-31T07:57:17+02:00March 31st 2020|

If urbanisation drives climate change, then mitigating the dangerous effects of global warming must address how we plan, build, and live in cities. Implementing bold national plans requires active cross-sector coordination and collaboration between the local, regional, and national governments.

Urban Settings Need New Approaches

Urban Settings Need New Approaches

By Peter Maurer|2021-02-23T14:48:17+01:00December 12th 2019|

The traditional relief-rehabilitation-development paradigm does not hold true in urban conflict zones. A combined approach of long-term support for systems reinforcing short-term support for individuals would meet people’s needs, secure development gains, and represent value for money. The cost of failing to adapt is simply too high, argues Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The Time is Right: Introducing Effective Food Waste Management in the City of Belgrade

The Time is Right: Introducing Effective Food Waste Management in the City of Belgrade

By Aleksandar Bojić|2019-10-24T10:23:02+02:00October 24th 2019|

With thousands of tons of food going to waste every year, Serbia is coming up with solutions to prevent the production of surplus food – and support vulnerable groups with the surplus that is generated anyway.