Organizations with a Global Outlook

Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance (CNCA). www.carbonneutralcities.org  CNCA is a project of the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. The Alliance is a collaboration of leading global cities achieving carbon neutrality before 2050 – among the most aggressive GHG reduction targets undertaken anywhere by any city. “Global Cities Achieving Carbon Neutrality Before 2050” www.carbonneutralcities.org 

Carbon 180. www.carbon180.org  Carbon 180 designs and champions science-based, equitable policies that can remove carbon from the atmosphere – at the gigaton scale.  Formerly known as the Center for Carbon Removal.

CDP.  www.cdp.net  CDP is a nonprofit that runs a global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states, and regions to manage their environmental impacts. (CDP stands for Carbon Disposal Protocol).  In 2019 CDP partnered with ICLEI (Local Governments For Sustainability), C40, and the Global Covenant of Mayors to streamline the city climate reporting process and to present a unified platform of reporting.  “CDP Unveils New Generation of 95 Cities Leading on Global Climate Action”. 11/18/21. www.cdp.net  To be viewed by CDP as an A-list city, each city must disclose publicly and have six climate-related achievements: 1. A city-wide emissions inventory; 2. An emissions reduction target and a renewable energy target for the future; 3. A published Climate Action Plan; 4. A completed climate risk and vulnerability assessment; 5. A Climate Adaptation Plan; and 6. The city must be making progress towards achieving its ambitious but realistic goals.

Center For Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES). www.c2es.org Motto: City Action on Clean Energy”.  Founded in 1998 as the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, C2ES is known worldwide as a thought leader and trusted convenor on climate change and energy.  “Buying Clean Electricity: How Cities Benefit From Power Purchase Agreements” Sept. ‘18. www.c2es.org  The Alliance for a Sustainable Future is a joint effort by C2ES and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.  See their report: “American Mayors and Businesses: Building Partnerships For a Low-Carbon Future” www.usmayors.org 

Cities Alliance.  “Technical Assistance For City-level Climate Action Planning” May ‘18. www.citiesalliance.org  

Cities Today. www.cities-today.com  Motto: Connecting the World’s Urban Leaders.  Enter “climate” in this website’s search box and bring up approximately 750 articles.

Citizen Lab. www.citizenlab.co   Describes itself as a comprehensive platform built to power local governments. “How to Create a Climate Action Plan Through Community Engagement” 12/4/22. www.citizenlab.co 

Clever Carbon.  www.clevercarbon.io  Learn about your own carbon footprint, and the carbon footprints per capita in countries around the world.

Climate Action. www.climateaction.org  Established in 2007 and HQed in London.  Climate Action’s mission is to facilitate collaboration that encourages the development, deployment and accelerated uptake of globally sustainable, net-zero solutions.

Climate Action Network (CAN). www.climatenetwork.org  CAN is a global network of more than 1800 civil society organizations in over 130 countries driving collective and sustainable action to fight the climate crisis and to achieve social and racial justice.

Climate Action Planning Framework (CAPF). A C40 Cities creation. CAPF was developed to support cities Climate Action Plans that are aligned with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.  It sets out the essential components of a Climate Action Plan, according to 3 pillars: 1. Commitment & Collaborating; 2. Challenge & Opportunity; and 3. Acceleration & Implementation. “Climate Action Planning Framework” www.c40knowledgehub.org 

Climate Action Tracker (CAT). www.climateactiontracker.org  The CAT is an independent scientific analysis that tracks government climate action and measures it against the globally agreed upon Paris Agreement aim of holding warming well below 2C, and pursuing efforts to limit warming to 1.5C.

Climate Action For Urban Sustainability (CURB). “The CURB Tool: Climate Action For Urban Sustainability” 9/22/16.  www.worldbank.org  CURB is an interactive tool that is designed specifically to help cities take action on climate by allowing them to map out different action plans and to evaluate their cost, feasibility, and impact.  CURB has been developed in partnership with the C40 Cities Leadership Group and is also embraced by The Compact of Mayors (hundreds of cities).

Climate Analytics (CA). www.climateanalytics.org  CA is a multi-disciplinary and culturally diverse team composed of experts in climate science and impacts, including authors of the IPCC (the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), experts in climate finance, adaptation, climate negotiation, mitigation policies, and climate policy analysis. It provides state-of-the-art solutions to global and national climate change policy challenges.

Climate Central (CC). www.climatecentral.org  “Researching and communicating climate change impacts and solutions”. CC states “We use science and technology to generate thousands of local storylines and compelling visuals that make climate change personal and show what can be done about it”.

The Climate Crisis.  The Climate Crisis is a New Yorker Magazine newsletter written by 350.org founder Bill McKibben.  www.newyorker.com/newsletter/the-climate-crisis 

Climate Interactive (CI). En-Roads Climate Change Solutions Simulator. Developed by CI, MIT-Sloan, and Ventana Systems.  Free download and training. www.climateinteractive.org

Climate Now  (CN).  www.climatenow.com  CN is devoted to explaining the key scientific ideas, technologies, and policies relevant to the global climate crisis.  www.climatenow.com/about/  

Climate Reality Project.  Washington DC. www.climaterealityproject.org  Al Gore, founder and chairman. “Five Sustainable Cities Making a Difference For the Planet” www.climaterealityproject.org/blog/five-sustainable-cities-making-difference-planet  The cities cited are Copenhagen, San Francisco, Vancouver BC, Stockholm, and Singapore.

Compact of Mayors (CoM). The CoM is a global coalition of mayors and city officials committing to reduce local GHG emissions, enhance city resilience to climate change and track their progress transparently. “Compact of Mayors – FAQ for US Local Governments” www.icleiusa.org and www.uclg.org/en/node/23789 

The Cool Down  (tCD).  www.thecooldown.com  tCD describes itself as a community of content, commerce, and climate experts making the cooler future come to life.  Named to Fast Company’s Annual List of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2023.  Use the tCD search box for “cities”.

COP.  Refers to Conference of the Parties. A COP is an international climate meeting held in a different city each year by the UN.  2022 was the 27th COP, which began in 1992. The “Parties” refers to those countries who joined the international treaty called the UN Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC).  Parties to the treaty have committed to take voluntary actions to prevent human-caused interference with the climate system. www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/what-cop 

C40 Cities. www.c40.org  C40 Cities is perhaps the most complete guide for cities globally, which aspire to planning and carrying out effective climate action, to be familiar with.  C40’s various sections include, but are not limited to:  Knowledge Hub – www.c40knowledgehub.org   Race to Zero – www.c40.org/what-we-do/building-a-movement/cities-race-to-zero/  and Cities with Climate Action Plans which are in accordance with the Paris Agreement – “Mapped: Cities With a Climate Action Plan” Jan. ‘22. www.c40knowledgehub.org.  Also useful: “Climate Action Planning Framework” www.resourcecentre.c40.org/climate-action-planning-framework-home and “Writing an Engaging Climate Action Plan” www.resourcecentre.c40.org 

Daring Cities (DC). www.daringcities.org  a.k.a. The Global Virtual Forum For Urban Leaders Taking on the Climate Emergency.  DC is designed to empower urban decision-makers such as mayors, city councilors, administrators, and urban thought leaders to lead in the climate emergency. DC is a project of ICLEI and the city of Bonn, Germany.

Earth Day. Earth Day’s relevance to urban climate action can be found at www.earthday.org/campaign/green-cities/  This page of the Earth Day website outlines recommendations for local sustainability, including net-zero carbon emissions, environmental justice, and sustainable waste management.

EcoWatch.  www.ecowatch.com  EcoWatch contains many reports and articles having to do with urban climate issues.  A couple to take a look at include: Recycling in the U.S. is Failing, But These 7 Cities Are Doing Things Right”  (4/21/21) and “Top 10 Greenest Cities in the World”. These cities are: Copenhagen, Ansterdam, Stockholm, Vancouver BC, London, Berlin, New York, Singapore, Helsinki, and Oslo.

Energy Foundation (EF). www.ef.org  San Francisco CA. EF states its mission as “to secure a clean and equitable future to tackle the climate crisis”.  It supports education and analysis to promote non-partisan policy solutions that advance renewable energy and energy efficiency while opening doors to greater innovation and productivity.  EF’s grantees include business, health, environmental, labor, equity, community, faith, and consumer groups.

Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI). www.eesi.org  EESI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable societies.  Its mission is to advance science-based solutions for climate change, energy, and environmental challenge. 

Environmental Defense Fund.  EDF defines itself as bringing together people from all sides to tackle challenges from many perspectives.  It is involved in matters of climate, energy, ecosystems, oceans and health.  Articles found on its blog include “How Cities Are Using Clean Energy Commitments to Prosper” and “How a Digital Dashboard Could Make Cities Power, Water Smarter”  www.edf.org

Environmental Insights Explorer.  From Google.  Uses Google data to show building permits, transportation emissions, rooftop solar potential, etc., creating a foundation for effective action.  Empowering thousands of cities and regions with actionable data and insights to reduce global emissions.  Search the term “environmental insights explorer”

Free Appropriate Sustainability Technology (FAST) Research Group.  The term “appropriate technology” focuses on lower-tech, hands-on approaches to climate and environmental issues.   FAST is run by Joshua Pearce of Western University in Canada  www.opensource.com/users/jmpearce  FAST concentrates on the use of open source appropriate technology (OSAT) to find solutions to problems in sustainability and to reduce poverty.  See also www.appropedia.org/Category:FAST

Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy.  GCoM is the largest global alliance for city climate leadership, built upon the commitment of over 11,500 cities and local governments.  The cities and partners of GCoM share a long-term vision of supporting voluntary action to combat climate change. www.globalcovenantofmayors.org   You can download its “The Multilevel Climate Action Playbook for Local and Regional Governments” 

Global Opportunity Explorer (GOE).  Copenhagen, Denmark.  This website contains many examples of climate action activities including what it claims to be the world’s largest collection of vetted and verified sustainable solutions. www.goexplorer.org   Explore the front runners for city climate action.  www.goexplorer.org/cities  Also see Klima 100: 100 of the best climate solutions from Danish municipalities  www.goexplorer.org/klima100-2 

Global Protocol for Community-scale GHG Emission Inventories (GPC).  GPC is the international best practice standard for city-level, production-based GHG emission inventories (consistent with IPCC guidelines).  www.c40knowledgehub.org/s/article/The-Global-Protocol-for-Community-Scale-Greenhouse-Gas-Emmission-Inventories-GPC?language=en_US

Green City Times. (GCT)  Daniel Braff, editor.  Cincinnati OH.  GCT is a resource on sustainability, urban planning, renewable energy, sustainable mass transportation, energy efficiency, hydro, tidal, solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, biofuel, recycling, clean coal, etc.  www.greencitytimes.com

ICLEI aka Local Governments for Sustainability.  Usually pronounced ick-ley.  ICLEI stands for International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives, but this term is rarely used.  ICLEI/LGS is a global network of more than 2500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development.  The member cities in its Cities for Climate Protection Campaign commit to 1. Conduct an energy and emissions inventory and forecast.  2. Establish an emissions reduction target.  3. Develop a local action plan to achieve the goal.  4. Implement policies and measures.  5. Undertake processes of monitoring and verifying results.  www.iclei.org  ICLEI is HQed in Bonn, Germany.

Institute for Sustainable Communities. Vermont, Washington DC.  ISC describes itself as driving innovative sustainability and climate solutions by transforming communities, cities and factories.  We provide technical assistance and build the capacity of communities to advance, accelerate and scale up local solutions to the global challenges of climate protection and sustainable development by designing and delivering exceptional peer learning and training workshops.  www.sustain.org

International Panel on Climate Change.  IPCC is the U.N. body for assessing the science related to climate change.  See IPCC-57: Working Group III, Sixth Assessment Report (2022).  IPCC was created to provide policymakers with regular scientific assessments on climate change, its implications and potential future risks, as well as to put forward adaptation and mitigation options.  Its report “Global Warming of 1.5C: IPCC Special Report – Summary for Policymakers” provides a summary of the latest climate science and the emissions pathways for limiting global warming to 1.5C.  In a 2021 report, IPCC lays out 3 strategies for cities to dramatically reduce their emissions: 1. Reduce urban energy consumption across all sectors, including through land use, and transportation planning and infrastructure.  2. Electrify and switch to net-zero emissions resources.  3. Enhance carbon stocks and uptake through urban green and blue infrastructure.  www.ipcc.ch 

International Energy Agency.  The IEA was created in 1974 to ensure the security of oil supplies.  Today it is at the center of the global energy debate.  www.iea.org   Enter “cities” on the iea.org homepage search function to bring up numerous articles relevant to that subject.

International Renewable Energy Agency. IRENA’s mission is supporting countries worldwide in their transition to a sustainable  energy future. Search with the word “cities” on the website’s search box brings up a lot of relevant information. Eg., “Renewable Energy Policies for Cities” and “How Cities Can Take Action to Drive the Energy Transition”  www.irena.org  IRENA is HQed in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

International Living Future Institute.  Seattle WA.  ILFI is a community of architects, engineers, manufacturers, builders, business leaders, and other stakeholders who are creating regenerative buildings and products to restore the health and resilience of economies, cultures and people.  It describes its mission as to lead the transformation toward a civilization that is socially just, culturally rich and ecologically restorative.  View its map which includes Zero Energy buildings.  www.living-future.org   The website deals more with individual buildings than with communities or cities as a whole, but is definitely worth visiting.

Local Governments for Sustainability.  See www.iclei.org

LEED for Cities and Communities.  LEED = Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. A  creation of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).  Cities can work to become certified to LEED standards, which include energy, waste, water, transportation, resilience, health and equity.  The first two cities to be LEED-certified were Orlando FL and Cincinnati OH.  There are currently approximately 100 cities which have met LEED requirements for certification.  www.usgbc.org/leed-for-cities

Mission Innovation.  MI is a global initiative to accelerate public and private clean energy innovation to address climate change, make clean energy affordable to consumers, and create green jobs and commercial opportunities.  It has specific mission statements in the following areas: urban transitions, zero-emission shipping, clean hydrogen, green-powered future, carbon dioxide removal, net-zero industries, and integrated biorefineries.  www.mission-innovation.net

Natural Resources Defense Council.  The NRDC is testing innovative strategies aimed at strengthening communities by boosting energy efficiency, reducing stormwater pollution and flooding, encouraging smart growth, cutting food waste, and providing better access to public transportation. Re. city specifics, visit www.nrdc.org/issues/sustainable-cities

The Nature Conservancy.  Boston MA.  The NC’s mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.  Seeks to boldly address the biodiversity and climate crises.  Many articles can be found on its website as to greening the city.  www.nature.org 

New Climate Institute.  Full name: New Climate Institute for Climate Policy and Global Sustainability.  www.newclimate.org  NCI generates ideas on climate change and drives their implementation.  “We raise ambition for action against climate change and support sustainable development through research policy design and knowledge sharing.”  There is a lot on their website dealing with cities.

Next City.  NC is a nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire social, economic and environmental change in cities through journalism and events around the world.  www.nextcity.org 

One Thousand Cities.  UK-based.  See “Research Project for Carbon Freedom” and “Climate Action Best Practices in UK Cities”.  Specifically looks at Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Oxford and Somerset.  www.onethousandcities.com

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.  OECD is an international organization that works to build better policies for better lives.  Its stated goal is to shape policies that foster prosperity, equality, opportunity and well-being for all.  Extensive work in climate matters.  Eg., “Building Decarbonization in Cities and Regions”  www.oecd.org  (12/14/20) and “Decarbonizing Buildings in Cities and Regions”  www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1AdSvgyBY8

Rainforest Foundation.  RF-US focuses on protecting rainforests in partnership with indigenous peoples.  Strong connection to climate matters.  www.rainforestfoundation.org

Rocky Mountain Institute – recently rebranded RMI.  RMI was established in 1982 by climate pioneers Amory and Hunter Lovins.  It is dedicated to research, publication, consulting and lecturing in the field of sustainability.  It focuses particularly on energy and resource efficiency.  www.rmi.org  Typical subjects include “Transforming the Global Energy System to Secure a Clean, Prosperous, Zero-carbon Future for All” and “How Local Governments and Communities are Taking Action to Get Fossil Fuels out of Buildings”.  Also look for “The Carbon-free City Handbook”.  The CFCH reveals 22 actions and associated resources for cities globally to move toward climate neutrality and see results within a year.  www.rmi.org/insight/the-carbon-free-city-handbook/   

Ross Center for Sustainable Cities.  Washington DC.  The Ross Center is the World Resources Institute’s program dedicated to shaping a future where cities work better for everyone.  It is particularly involved in Brazil, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, India, Mexico, Turkey and the U.S.  www.wrirosscities.org

Smart Cities Council.  SCC advances a broad climate agenda, especially in North America, Australia and New Zealand, and India.  It envisions a world where innovation, technology and data leverages smart, sustainable cities with high-quality living and high-quality jobs.  www.smartcitiescouncil.com   Its Smart Cities Academy supports the diverse professional development needs of a growing smart cities marketplace.  www.smartcitiescouncil.com/academy

StartUS Insights.  Locates startup companies and emerging technologies around the world. www.startus-insights.com  Re. climate, see www.startus-insights.com/innovators-guide/climate-tech-trends-innovations/

Strive to Thrive.  THRIVE Project is a far-impact social enterprise whose mission is to ensure the long-term well-being and thrivability of all humanity.  The website contains many articles on cities and climate: eg., urban heat islands, carbon-neutral cities, eco-building, etc.  www.strive2thrive.earth 

U.N. Habitat for a Better Urban Future.  www.unhabitat.org  See its article “Guiding Principles for City Climate Action Planning”.  This document reviews typical steps in the city-level climate action planning process in light of a proposed set of globally applicable principles.  Such plans aim to help cities reduce GHG emissions and adopt low-emissions development trajectories as well as adapt to the impacts of climate change and build local resilience.

World Economic Forum.  WEF is an international nongovernmental and lobbying organization based in Geneva, Switzerland.  It views its mission as “improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas.”  WEF may be best known for its annual meeting of these types of people in Davos, Switzerland. www.weforum.org  Many articles on its website relevant to cities and climate action, such as “Net Zero Carbon Cities: An Integrated Approach”. (June 2021), and “12 Steps to Decarbonize Your City” (9/13/21)

World Green Building Council.  London, England.  www.worldgbc.org  The WGBC is a network of national green building councils in 90+ countries.  The WGBC’s “Cities Climate Action Project” aims to deliver better building efficiency policies in cities.  See its Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment: www.worldgbc.org/thecommitment   Its signatories to this commitment are Cape Town SA, Copenhagen, eThekwini, Heidelberg, Helsinki, Johannesburg SA, London, Los Angeles, Medellin, Melbourne, Montreal, New York, Newburyport MA, Oslo, Paris, Portland OR, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Monica, Santiago de Cali, Seattle, Stockholm, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Tshwane, Valladolid, Vancouver BC, and Washington DC.

World Resources Institute.  The WRI is HQed in Washington DC.  Its mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.  A search of the website using the terms climate+cities brings up 1735 articles.  www.wri.org  Also see www.wri.org/cities/urban-efficiency-climate  Some articles: “4 Creative Ways Cities Are Transitioning to a Clean Energy Future”, “5 Big Ideas to Address the Climate Crisis and Inequality in Cities”, and “Optimize, Electrify, Decarbonize: The 3 Steps to Thriving, Zero-carbon Cities”.

World Wildlife Fund.  WWF has extensive involvement in climate matters.  www.worldwildlife.org