Cities are one of the biggest consumers of energy in the world, representing almost two-thirds of global primary energy demand, and nowadays accounting for 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector. The concept of Smart Sustainable Cities aims to address the current and future challenges of cities and improve the way cities function.
In the framework of the Ministerial Conference and 8th International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development to be held in Astana on 11-14 June 2017, the UNECE Housing and Land Management Unit, swissuniversities, the ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences and the Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency jointly organized the parallel event “Towards Smart Sustainable Cities – Integrated Approaches” on 14 June.
The event discussed the benefits of integrated approaches, the role and use of indicators and technologies to realize smarter and more sustainable cities worldwide; highlighted existing networks and opportunities for cities that want to accelerate action; identified innovative solutions, including implementation models and finance opportunities, to energy challenges for cities; discussed the transformation of sociotechnical energy and transport systems at the city level and examined the role of energy infrastructures. Furthermore, it showcased city-level solutions and innovations relating to energy efficiency that provide inspiration and replication models for other aspirational cities.
The event was also the first day of the international seminar “Towards Smart Sustainable Cities – Integrated Approaches” which continued at Nazarbayev University from 15 to 16 June 2017.