Post-fifth assessment report urban climate planning: Lessons from 278 urban climate action plans released from 2015 to 2022

Cities respond to climate concerns mainly through climate action plans (CAPs). The IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) was the first report from the international climate body that gave worldwide attention to urban climate change. Yet, a global situation of the content and structure of urban CAPs adopted or published after AR5 is not well represented in the literature. This literature void presents a difficulty in holistically understanding the strengths and weaknesses of existing urban CAPs, hence painting a clearer picture for future urban climate planning. Here, we performed detailed qualitative content analyses on CAPs from 278 cities worldwide. This study sought to achieve two specific objectives;(1) to critically analyse the content and structure of urban CAPs adopted or published from 2015 to 2022, and (2) to examine the extent to which sampled urban CAPs align with selected climate action best practices. There have been variations in the adoption or publication of urban CAPs from 2015 to 2022 across city types and world regions. Our analysis showed a rise in the number of CAPs adopted or published during the global COVID-19 lockdown period as compared to the post and pre-COVID-19 lockdown period. We also observed a transition from developing mainly mitigation-focused CAPs pre-COP21 to both mitigation and adaptation CAPs. About 96% of the sampled urban CAPs are focusing on the transport sector to achieve climate objectives. More than half (55%) of cities with climate change mitigation-related urban CAPs (147 urban CAPs of 267 urban CAPs) do not have deep decarbonization pledges, with less than a quarter of the pledges likely to be achieved by 2030. We found that about 81% of 120 cities with deep decarbonization pledges are more likely to report baseline emission inventory in their urban CAPs. A lack of inclusiveness, transparency and verification, evidence-based climate planning, comprehensiveness, and integration were the most common areas of non-alignment with best practices. The explicit consideration of synergies, trade-offs, or conflicts is significantly low. The evidence is a catalyst for understanding the dynamics in existing urban CAPs to shape future urban climate action planning. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

The benefits of nature-based systems in a and uncertain world

Multifunctional nature-based solutions (NBS) can help urban areas become more climate proof and adaptable and provide a range of societal goals. Alongside chronic impacts from climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic has illustrated the disruption that unexpected and acute shocks can bring to society. Measures such as NBS can help reduce the vulnerability of urban areas and increase resilience. Traditional infrastructure planning relies on strong business cases to demonstrate the economic value of a scheme. Numerous approaches assign economic value to the benefits from using NBS. However, this value is more than what can be accounted for by traditional finance methods, as there are many different perspectives on 'value'. Decision making processes for selection of NBS measures require stronger integration of these value perspectives. This paper considers these perspectives in the business models that are being used in the decision processes regarding use and selection of NBS. Examples are drawn from case studies in the EU Begin project and also from the Living with Water partnership in the UK, which illustrate how value perspectives can be included in business cases for NBS, also signposting the need to account for potential future changes using scenario planning.

The benefits of nature-based systems in a changing and uncertain world

Multifunctional nature-based solutions (NBS) can help urban areas become more climate proof and adaptable and provide a range of societal goals. Alongside chronic impacts from climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic has illustrated the disruption that unexpected and acute shocks can bring to society. Measures such as NBS can help reduce the vulnerability of urban areas and increase resilience. Traditional infrastructure planning relies on strong business cases to demonstrate the economic value of a scheme. Numerous approaches assign economic value to the benefits from using NBS. However, this value is more than what can be accounted for by traditional finance methods, as there are many different perspectives on 'value'. Decision making processes for selection of NBS measures require stronger integration of these value perspectives. This paper considers these perspectives in the business models that are being used in the decision processes regarding use and selection of NBS. Examples are drawn from case studies in the EU Begin project and also from the Living with Water partnership in the UK, which illustrate how value perspectives can be included in business cases for NBS, also signposting the need to account for potential future changes using scenario planning. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Engineering Sustainability is the property of Thomas Telford Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Internationalism in climate action and China's role

The world is facing dual challenges of generating an economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, and transitioning to a low-carbon economy to tackle climate change. Strongly interrelated global challenges will require an integrated and coordinated response by all countries to manage the risk and lay the foundation for building back better. As the world's biggest emitter and the second-largest economy, China is a very important player in international collaboration and coordination in climate action. Against this backdrop, this paper looks into the increasingly crucial role that China is playing in global climate action, especially focusing on three aspects: China's domestic and foreign policymaking for the energy transition;its role in promoting multilateralism and international collaboration on building a sustainable world;and how it could accelerate climate action and diplomacy through research, development and innovation. In the critical decade of the 2020s, China has a great opportunity to further transform and upgrade its energy and industrial structures, promote research, development and the application of green and low-carbon technologies and intensify international climate cooperation on climate change. China should aim to be at the forefront of raising climate ambition and accelerating climate action for a sustainable and more equitable world. © 2023 IOP Publishing Ltd.

A Mixed-Methods Approach to Climate Action Planning

With global greenhouse gas emissions on the rise, the higher education sector has recognised the part it must play in reducing its carbon footprint, setting an example for others to follow in the global fight against climate change. In 2019 University College Cork undertook the complex task of designing and developing a Climate Action Plan, beginning with the compilation of a detailed inventory of the university's greenhouse gas emissions and followed by a period of engaged research during which potential climate action measures were identified by key stakeholders. In response to the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and introduction of public health restrictions, a structured dialogue – modified Delphi – approach was employed as part of the engaged research. This mixed-methods approach proved successful at identifying a number of potential opportunities for reducing the university's carbon footprint, with the structured dialogue method in particular offering the researchers numerous advantages for conducting engaged research during the unique circumstances arising as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. © The Author(s) 2023.

Assembly process based on supply chain management of prefabricated houses using BIM

The assembly of modular containers using building information modelling (BIM) technologies was studied. The purpose of this study was to analyse the literature on prefabricated (prefab) houses and explore the concept of creating a digital prototype of a building based on Huoshenshan hospital using Autodesk Revit software. This hospital was constructed to treat Covid-19 patients in early 2020. The article describes the methodology of installing modular containers and assembly structures using BIM technologies for rapid construction. The results of this study showed that building object implementation depends directly on a proper model with a step-by-step mechanism for installation. Due to the supply of prefab structures at the construction site, both initial project cost and project time can be reduced. Prefab house technology demonstrated the high efficiency of using BIM technology in the assembly of Huoshenshan hospital, which was constructed in 10 days. The need for information modelling data exchange with modern technology and systems, which allows the team to become acquainted with the project before installation work starts at the construction site, is investigated.

COVID-19 response in Africa: impacts and lessons for environmental management and climate change adaptation.

The COVID-19 pandemic adds pressure on Africa; the most vulnerable continent to climate change impacts, threatening the realization of most Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The continent is witnessing an increase in intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, and environmental change. The COVID-19 was managed relatively well across in the continent, providing lessons and impetus for environmental management and addressing climate change. This work examines the possible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the environment and climate change, analyses its management and draws lessons from it for climate change response in Africa. The data, findings and lessons are drawn from peer reviewed articles and credible grey literature on COVID-19 in Africa. The COVID-19 pandemic spread quickly, causing loss of lives and stagnation of the global economy, overshadowing the current climate crisis. The pandemic was managed through swift response by the top political leadership, research and innovations across Africa providing possible solutions to COVID-19 challenges, and redirection of funds to manage the pandemic. The well-coordinated COVID-19 containment strategy under the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention increased sharing of resources including data was a success in limiting the spread of the virus. These strategies, among others, proved effective in limiting the spread and impact of COVID-19. The findings provide lessons that stakeholders and policy-makers can leverage in the management of the environment and address climate change. These approaches require solid commitment and practical-oriented leadership. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10668-023-02956-0.

Assembly process based on supply chain management of prefabricated houses using building information modeling

The paper analyzes the assembly process by the example of assembly-modular containers using building information modeling technologies. This paper simulates a 3D model of the Huoshenshan Hospital with a description of the assembly mechanism process based on information modeling of prefabricated buildings. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the sources on prefabricated houses and explore the concept of creating a digital prototype of a building based on Huoshenshan Hospital, using the Autodesk Revit software. The article describes the methodology of installing modular containers and assembly structures using building information modeling technologies to improve rapid construction technology. The study results showed that building object implementation directly depends on a proper model with a step-by-step mechanism for installation, which can reduce the initial project cost due to the supply of prefabricated structures on the construction site, as well as reduce the project time. The prefabricated house technology demonstrated the high efficiency of using information technology in the assembly of the Huoshenshan Hospital, with which the simulated facility was implemented in 10 days. The need for information modeling data exchange with modern gadgets and systems is investigated, which allows one to get acquainted with the object at the construction site before installation work start. © 2022 ICE Publishing: All rights reserved.

A Mixed-Methods Approach to Climate Action Planning

With global greenhouse gas emissions on the rise, the higher education sector has recognised the part it must play in reducing its carbon footprint, setting an example for others to follow in the global fight against climate change. In 2019 University College Cork undertook the complex task of designing and developing a Climate Action Plan, beginning with the compilation of a detailed inventory of the university's greenhouse gas emissions and followed by a period of engaged research during which potential climate action measures were identified by key stakeholders. In response to the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and introduction of public health restrictions, a structured dialogue – modified Delphi – approach was employed as part of the engaged research. This mixed-methods approach proved successful at identifying a number of potential opportunities for reducing the university's carbon footprint, with the structured dialogue method in particular offering the researchers numerous advantages for conducting engaged research during the unique circumstances arising as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. [ FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable Futures for Bolivia

In this chapter, the reality of Bolivia's current situation is presented, including details regarding the country's political, economic and environmental context. Then, alternate possible future scenarios are presented, developed by four different types of stakeholders in Bolivian society during four workshops that produced various suggestions on how to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic using a sustainable approach. Several findings are incorporated into these scenarios, including potential risks, public policy recommendations and structural changes required to attain the best possible post-pandemic scenario for Bolivia, including the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the 2030 Agenda, especially SDGs 8, 13 and 17. © 2022 Emerald Publishing Limited.

Finance for Climate Action: Postcovid-19 Recovery Challenges

This paper is oriented to explore the new developments in climate action financing within the framework of Just Transition. This discourse is linked to the post COVID-19 recovery and the sustainable finance agenda. The study is done through extensive literature review, combining aspects PRISMA guidelines and the Recursive Content ion (RCA) analytical approach. After presenting the Just Transition framework, we analyze the provisions on financing of the Paris Agreement. Next, the financing gaps are identified with the COVID-19 impact. We pay a special attention on the debt service, the related developing countries difficulties, and the challenges for sub-national governments. Then we analyze the efficient market theory and its distortion in the time of COVID-19 crisis. Based on the topics discussed, at the end the paper presents some final remarks. © 2022 Instituto Mexicano de Ejecutivos de Finanzas. All rights reserved.

A call for agile futures practice in service of transformative change: lessons from envisioning positive climate futures emerging from the pandemic

Amid growing urgency behind the need to curb global greenhouse gas emissions, the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown the world into another crisis. Prominent conceptualizations of transformation suggest that crises like the pandemic may create windows of opportunity for transformative change, such as the scope and scale of systemic change required to address the climate crisis. Additionally, envisioning positive futures plays an important role in building shared commitment and inspiration for transformation, particularly if conducted in transformative spaces where actors with diverse framings and vulnerabilities can experiment with new practices and ideas. Emerging research demonstrates the potential for experimental futures methods to create such transformative spaces. In this study, we aimed to create a transformative space that builds inspiration and shared commitment for climate action while exploring the unique inflection point created by the COVID-19 pandemic. To do so, we constructed a highly creative participatory futuring process for participants involved in climate action in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region (Canada) to imagine desirable futures emerging from the crisis. Because we needed to move quickly and accommodate pandemic-related constraints to explore this unique moment in time, we also aimed to reflect on considerations for an agile futures practice in service of transformative change. Through a virtual workshop and surveys, participants envisioned future worlds in which local "seeds" of positive climate futures emerging during COVID-19 become mainstream. They also wrote science fiction stories of characters navigating those worlds. Observing artists depicted the futures through visual art. Reflections on our experience facilitating the process generated five considerations for a more agile futures practice in service of transformative change: adapt the ideal process to context-specific opportunities and constraints, align with strategic partners while ensuring everyone is in the room, underpin the process with values, treat everyone's contributions as knowledge, and contextualize the role of inspiration as an outcome. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Ecology & Society is the property of Resilience Alliance and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

SDG 13 and Sustainability of Academic Conferences during the COVID-19 Pandemic and beyond 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing rules have impacted on the academic community. Air travel to national and international conferences ceased and virtual conferences and meetings are increasing in momentum. This article seeks to discuss two models of academic conferences in relation to their main benefits to participants and the broader implications to the environment and SDG 13 “Climate Action.” While many participants recognize the benefits of virtual conferences, it is questionable whether this new wave of online (virtual/ video) conferences will continue post pandemic. Thus, universities should actively encourage academic and research communities to take a greater part in SDG 13 and to travel CO2-neutral or convert to virtual conferences and meetings moving forward.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY THROUGH WATER-USE EFFICIENCY IN LEISURE CENTRES

Climate change poses significant challenges, and the global community is not on track to meet sustainable development goals or the Paris Agreement to mitigate climate change. The COVID-19 pandemic and necessary government measures to curb the spread of the virus has put climate action on hold and shut down economies. The need for improved ventilation as an important mitigating factor against the risk of COVID-19 transmission has additional implications for costs and emissions for businesses. Leisure centres, as large users of water and energy, account for significant emissions and operational costs. However, there is scope for significant reductions in water and water-related energy demands and associated emissions and costs without impacting service quality and delivery. These reductions can be a promising response to the current challenges of climate change and post-COVID-19 economic recovery, particularly given current UK energy crises and inflation trends. We have been working with leisure centres to support them in improving energy efficiency through water-use efficiency as part of the cross-border, interdisciplinary Interreg Dwr Uisce research project on improving the energy performance and long-term sustainability of the water sectors in Ireland and Wales. In this paper, we discuss the potential of energy efficiency gains based on the framework on water management hierarchy which prioritises management actions in order of preference of implementation, where the next hierarchy should only be considered once all potential savings from the hierarchy above have been exhausted. We also discuss how these interventions are not one-size-fits-all – although leisure centres typically have the same water-use types, they differ significantly in age, size, location, building types and materials, functionality, and efficiency;and why therefore, interventions must be considered on a site-specific and case-by-case basis. © 2022 WITPress. All rights reserved.

The effects of COVID-19 transmission on environmental sustainability and human health: Paving the way to ensure its sustainable management.

The transmission dynamics and health risks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are inextricably linked to ineract with environment, climate, air pollution, and meteorological conditions. The spread of COVID-19 infection can thus perturb the 'planetary health' and livelihood by exerting impacts on the temporal and spatial variabilities of environmental pollution. Prioritization of COVID-19 by the health-care sector has been posing a serious threat to economic progress while undermining the efforts to meet the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for environmental sustainability. Here, we review the multifaceted effects of COVID-19 with respect to environmental quality, climatic variables, SDGs, energy resilience, and sustainability programs. It is well perceived that COVID-19 may have long-lasting and profound effects on socio-economic systems, food security, livelihoods, and the 'nexus' indicators. To seek for the solution of these problems, consensus can be drawn to establish and ensure a sound health-care system, a sustainable environment, and a circular bioeconomy. A holistic analysis of COVID-19's effects on multiple sectors should help develop nature-based solutions, cleaner technologies, and green economic recovery plans to help maintain environmental sustainability, ecosystem resilience, and planetary health.

Implementation Perspectives for the European Green Deal in Central and Eastern Europe

The present paper aims to identify the main factors that influence the capacity building for the Green Deal’s implementation in Member States from the central EU (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania) and the improvements that can be made in this regard. The research is empirical and explanatory, using qualitative strategy and the following methods: observation, a case study and a comparative method, for a period of ten years (2011–2020). The main findings of the research indicate four distinct categories of factors that could predict the capacity building for the Green Deal’s implementation: cultural, political, economic and social;as well as a differentiation of the Green Deal’s implementation in different stages at the EU level: industrialized Member States from the west and north, Member States from the south and north (Baltic states), and Member States from the central and south-east. The elaboration of national and regional plans for implementation and regional cooperation will provide suitable solutions, supported by the recovery and resilience funds. The research reveals that the prognosis for the Green Deal’s implementation in all of the investigated Member States is negative. The limitation of the research consists in its explanatory nature, which inhibits the ability to make definite conclusions.

Reviving tourism industry post-COVID-19: A resilience-based framework.

The COVID-19 pandemic struck the tourism industry severely. Based on the review of 35 papers that studied the tourism industry in the wake of the pandemic, we propose a resilience-based framework for reviving the global tourism industry post-COVID-19. Our framework outlines four prominent factors for building resilience in the industry: government response, technology innovation, local belongingness, and consumer and employee confidence. We argue that using such inclusive resilience; the tourism industry may transform into a new global economic order characterized by sustainable tourism, society's well-being, climate action, and the involvement of local communities. We also offer directions for future research in the area.

Using the COVID-19 economic crisis to frame climate change as a secondary issue reduces mitigation support.

The COVID-19 pandemic has understandably dominated public discourse, crowding out other important issues such as climate change. Currently, if climate change enters the arena of public debate, it primarily does so in direct relation to the pandemic. In two experiments, we investigated (1) whether portraying the response to the COVID-19 threat as a "trial run" for future climate action would increase climate-change concern and mitigation support, and (2) whether portraying climate change as a concern that needs to take a "back seat" while focus lies on economic recovery would decrease climate-change concern and mitigation support. We found no support for the effectiveness of a trial-run frame in either experiment. In Experiment 1, we found that a back-seat frame reduced participants' support for mitigative action. In Experiment 2, the back-seat framing reduced both climate-change concern and mitigation support; a combined inoculation and refutation was able to offset the drop in climate concern but not the reduction in mitigation support.