World Bank Knowledge Sharing Series on Low Carbon and Climate-Smart Cities

World Bank Knowledge Sharing Series on Low Carbon and Climate-Smart Cities: April - December 2021

• Home to more than half of the world's population, cities generate three-quarters of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally. Around the world, cities, countries, and regions have explored various initiatives to raise awareness and engagement among all actors with the aim of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. However, additional work is needed to break organizational silos and harness cross-sectoral and cross-governmental collaboration to accelerate the development of low carbon and climate-smart cities.

  Cities can play a pivotal role in promoting low carbon and resilient urban development, but they share a common challenge: the need to create individual approaches that reflect each city's unique circumstances and characteristics. Moving forward, cities need to understand what a low carbon society means to them, learn from global best practices to address climate challenges, and formulate and implement tailored plans and policies.

  The Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC), in collaboration with the World Bank Urban, Disaster Risk Management, Resilience, and Land Global Practice (GPURL) and the Environment, Natural Resources, and Blue Economy Global Practice (ENB), is organizing a Knowledge Sharing Series on Low Carbon and Climate-Smart Cities. The program will showcase the experiences of cities in Japan and around the globe in applying cutting-edge solutions to achieve low carbon and climate-smart cities.

• 4pm - 5:30pm, Wednesday, April 28, 2021 (JST)

  This online webinar, with a focus on energy-efficient buildings, is the first event in the World Bank's Knowledge Sharing Series on Low Carbon Cities. With key speakers from Japan, representing the developer Mori Building and the City of Yokohama, the session outlined the major challenges in planning, managing, and evaluating energy-efficient buildings. It also emphasized key takeaways for cities, especially those in emerging economies, that share the decarbonization agenda. Please watch the recorded sessions from the links below.

  Opening Remarks

  • Francis Ghesquiere, Practice Manager, World Bank

  Presenters

  • Mariko Murata, Urban Planning and Development Division, Project Planning Department Environmental Promotion Unit and Town Management Division, Park Management Unit, Mori Building Co., Ltd
  • Okuno Shuhei, Deputy Director General, Climate Change Policy Headquarters, City of Yokohama

  Moderators

  • Barjor Mehta, Lead Urban Specialist, World Bank
  • Victor Mulas, Team Lead, TDLC, World Bank
  • Haruka Miki-Imoto, Operations Officer, TDLC, World Bank

  *In no particular order. Speakers/Moderators are subject to change.

  Recording

  English: https://vimeo.com/548251791
  Japanese: https://vimeo.com/549143726
  Spanish: https://vimeo.com/549135278

• Key Topics: Green and Inclusive Solid Waste Management

  By 2050, the world is expected to generate 3.40 billion tons of waste annually, increasing drastically from today's 2.01 billion tons. While the composition, treatment, and management of solid waste differs across cities, there are common challenges faced with regards to holistic planning and policy; sustainable financing; selection of appropriate technology; and the integration of informal workers, citizens, and the private sector. With COVID-19 straining municipal human and financial resources, the imperative for greener, inclusive, and sustainable waste management practices is now stronger than ever. As a critical urban service, the treatment and management of solid waste is an integral part of the conversation as cities worldwide set targets for their carbon emissions and adopt strategies for the development of low carbon cities.

  This online event will focus on green and inclusive solid waste management, and is the second installment in the World Bank Knowledge Sharing Series on Low Carbon and Climate-Smart Cities. This online event explores good and emerging practices in green and inclusive solid waste management, addressing questions such as: What are good and emerging practices in green and inclusive solid waste? What are the policy interventions required to meet ambitious carbon reduction targets?

  Drawing on the experiences, lessons, and solutions from Japan and other countries this online event will be anchored by two core themes:

  1. Practices and Initiatives for Green and Inclusive Solid Waste Management in Japan
  2. Taking an Integrated Approach to Managing Solid Waste: Lessons from Developing Countries

  Urban experts, practitioners, local government officials, or anyone who is interested in learning about the key agenda items, solutions, and technologies to achieve low carbon cities are welcome to attend.

  The event will be livestreamed via Zoom. Simultaneous interpretation (ENG/JPN) will be available.

  Opening Remarks

  • Mona Sur, Practice Manager, World Bank

  Presenters and Discussants

  • Takanori Arima, Executive Director, Overseas Environmental Project Department/Kitakyushu Asian Center for Low carbon Society, Environment Bureau, City of Kitakyushu
  • Uri Raich, Senior Urban Specialist, World Bank
  • Jaafar Sadok Friaa, Practice Manager, World Bank

  Moderators

  • Victor Mulas, Team Lead of TDLC, World Bank
  • Shiko Hayashi, Programme Director, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)
  • Barjor Mehta, Lead Urban Specialist, World Bank

  Closing Remarks

  • Marc Forni, Lead Disaster Risk Management Specialist, World Bank

  *In no particular order. Speakers/Moderators are subject to change.