While the world’s cities face an array of challenges and priorities – which are as diverse as the cities themselves – the need to establish a more sustainable footing for urban and peri-urban industry is common to many. Including industry in integrated strategies, policies, and planning to manage resource use will be crucial for these cities in the pursuit of greater environmental sustainability, as well as employment and improved living standards.
This report is among the first publication to provide concrete policy, finance and technology best practice guidance on addressing the heating and cooling sectors in cities through energy-efficiency improvements and the integration of renewable energy technology. It provides a glimpse into what integration and systems thinking look like in practice when addressing challenges in the energy, transport, buildings and industry sectors. The report surveyed low-carbon cities worldwide to identify the key factors underlying their success in scaling up energy efficiency and renewable energy, as well as in attaining targets for zero or low greenhouse gas emissions. More than thirty case studies are presented in the report. District energy systems (DES) emerged as a best practice approach for providing a local, affordable and sustainable energy supply, improve energy efficiency and support energy access efforts. They represented a significant opportunity for countries and cities around the world to move towards climate-resilient, resource-efficient and low-carbon pathways.
