POCACITO - Climate and air quality

Green-Roof programme

clf — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 08:51:04 +0000

In 2008 Copenhagen Municipality implemented a Green-Roof policy programme to tackle challenges such as impacts of climate change, increasing density and the need for healthier neighbourhoods. Green roofs are unique combinations of technical installations and ecosystems enabling cities to benefit from green areas without reducing development sites. Green roofs cool cities, enhance biodiversity and reduce rainwater run-off. They also beautify grey and anonymous places. By involving local communities in implementation, green roofs may become communication platforms for residents of all ages and origins. By 2010, Copenhagen Municipality has integrated the establishment of green roofs in most local plans, aiming to realize about 200,000 m² of green roofs in years to come. Green roofs are aimed to be realised at all scales of buildings; from cycle shelters, schools and mixed used buildings to underground garages.

Airport Accreditation Programme

clf — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 14:05:50 +0000

As a member of ACI EUROPE (Airports Council International Europe) the Turkish Airports company TAV Airports Holding committed to reduce the carbon emissions in June 2008. In June 2009 ACI EUROPE launched the Airport Carbon Accreditation global standard for carbon management at airports. The programme aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions via carbon and energy management. TAV Airports Holding is also a member of this Airport Carbon Accreditation Programme. The company operates four airports in Turkey, including Istanbul Ataturk International Airport. Istanbul Ataturk International Airport not only aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also considers waste, water conservation and wastewater re-use.

Manchester: A Certain Future

clf — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 13:58:08 +0000

The pioneering shared plan to tackle climate change “Manchester: a Certain Future (MACF)” is an integrated plan that defines the main actions by which Manchester will tackle climate change until 2020. Initially launched in 2009 and updated in 2013, the four key points of MACF are:

Reduce the city’s carbon emissions by 41% by 2020 based on 2005 levels;
Develop a Low Carbon Culture Change so that ‘low carbon thinking’ is embedded into the lifestyles and operations of the city;
Prepare for and actively adapt to a rapidly changing climate; and
Develop an active transition to a low carbon economy.

The 2013 MACF documents the progress achieved since 2009, and ensures the consistency of its key aims with the “Greater Manchester Climate Change Strategy” published in 2011.

The MACF will be revised in 2016 through the “MACF 2016-20 Plan” which will include an active stakeholder engagement process for climate adaptation in Manchester until 2050, and ensure the continuity of the transformative action to shape a low carbon future.

Low Carbon City Initiative Shanghai Pilot Project

clf — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 12:30:22 +0000

The most populous country with the one of fastest growing economies in the world, China faces pressing environmental issues brought on by its rapid urbanization, industrial expansion and energy consumption. Emphasis has been made by the government to adopt climate change and energy measures in recent policies to address these issues. In order to help China achieve its 2010 commitment to reduce its carbon intensity by 40% and to realise a 15% share of non-fossil fuels in energy consumption by 2020, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) announced a partnership with China’s cities to implement its Low Carbon City Initiative (LCCI) project. In 2008 Shanghai became one of the first two Chinese cities to join the LCCI project. The project sets its objective on green city development through energy efficiency, renewable energy and technologies that reduce carbon emissions.

Low-carbon and sustainable development

clf — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 11:29:42 +0000

Shenzhen City, established as “New Town”[1] in 1979, was the first Special Economic Zone and opening-up window of China. In the past 35 years, the city has witnessed a continuous and amazingly fast economic development. In 2014, the per capita GDP of Shenzhen exceeded 24,000 USD while the total population was approaching 11 million. On the other hand, since 2010, Shenzhen has put more and more great efforts into low-carbon city construction. Clear and achievable goals were set up and all kinds of effective measures indented to reach these goals were taken, including the foundation of a carbon trading system in 2013.

[1] “New Town”: planned city/ planned city development

"Model Güssing": a vision of energy self-sufficiency

clf — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 11:58:36 +0000

In 1990 the City of Güssing decided to put the vision of becoming 100% fossil fuel free and energy self-sufficient into practice. About 15 years later the City generates twice the electricity demand of the city’s private households, public buildings and industries and also about 85% of the heating demand is covered. Both have been achieved via decentralized local energy production using renewable sources available in the region (especially wood, biomass and solar). The set-up of new renewable energy facilities (e.g. biomass plants, district heating infrastructure) in turn attracted many companies as well as national and international research initiatives working in the field of renewable energy. Thus by and by Güssing not only became an example of best practices for the sustainable energy supply of a city but also a network for research on renewable energy technologies and eco-energy tourism. Subsequently the model has also been expanded to surrounding municipalities of Güssing, the overall region called “öko-energieland”.

Skyrise Greenery – Incentive Scheme SGIS

Website Administrator — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 20:38:50 +0000

Singapore is one of the world’s leaders in urban greenery on buildings. In 2009, the National Parks Board of Singapore developed the Skyrise Greenery Incentive Scheme (SGIS), which promotes greenery on high- rise buildings, and thus contributes towards Singapore ́s vision of a City in a Garden. Additionally Skyrise Greenery under the SGIS offers environmental, economic, social and aesthetic benefits. Because of limited land space in Singapore the SGIS became an important element in sustainable urban development. There are two categories of urban greenery actions funded by the SGIS, the rooftop greenery and vertical greenery on facades and walls of existing and new buildings. The program encourages building developers to provide communal green spaces at the ground and upper levels of high-rise buildings.