Cities are our future.
By the year 2050,
more than 70% of the world's population will live in one.
But how will our world cope under the strain of 3 billion more city duelers?
Together, cities already consume 80% of material and energy resources,
and produce 75% of all carbon emissions.
Their high concentration of people and infrastructure
make them vulnerable to the impacts of climate change,
like raising sea levels, higher temperatures, and storm damage.
And in the developing world,
many cities are growing faster
than the infrastructure that is needed to support them.
Sustainability is the key,
and cities are striving for it.
When cities are sustainable,
they are more competitive,
more attractive to people and investments,
more able to lift their citizens out of poverty
and provide them with a great place to live, work, and play.
All over the world,
cities rich and vibrant in their own cultures
are shaping their own ambitious plans
for their sustainable futures,
but sharing common aims:
to take real action on climate change;
to encourage economic development
to the benefit, not the detriment, of the environment;
to become more resilient to disasters and the changing climate;
to improve the quality of life and well-being of citizens,
fostering supportive and inclusive communities
in which everyone can thrive;
and to take advantage of smart technologies
to improve the efficiency of infrastructure
and provide citizens with better, more responsive services.
But how?
Even the most advanced cities can't make this journey alone.
And that's where business can help.
All over the world,
behind the drive towards a sustainable urban future,
are businesses dedicated to finding and implementing the best solutions.
They're leading the way when it comes to creating
integrated systems of urban infrastructure
where buildings, energy, mobility, water and waste, and communications
operate more efficiently and sustainably
for the benefit of everyone.
But, too often, their expertise is introduced
too late in the planning life cycle to be of full benefit.
And there could be barriers, which stop valuable dialogue taking place.
That's why the World Business Council for Sustainable Development
established the Urban Infrastructure Initiative,
or UII,
an innovative model for early collaboration
between cities and business.
It's a simple idea.
In ten cities around the world,
experts from 14 leading companies and municipal governments
gathered around one table.
Working together,
they identify new approaches to realizing the city's visions
of a sustainable future.
Innovative practical solutions emerged,
producing real benefits for the cities and their sustainability programs.
Could this new approach work for your town too?
We think so.
Everyone wins.
Cities, by identifying solutions
that can make their sustainability aspirations a reality.
And business,
by unlocking markets for new services and products
essential in creating the sustainable cities of the future.
To find out more go to:
wbcsd.org
/urban-infrastructure.aspx