World Green Building Council’s Post

Residents of Dundee now have another opportunity to voice their opinions and help shape the future of building development in the city. Due to be published in 2028, the Local Development Plan (LDP) will set out the land use strategy to guide future development of land and buildings. The first stage of this new LDP focuses on the production of an Evidence Report. This report will consist of a collection of topic papers on planning themes in accordance with National Planning Framework 4 set out by the Scottish Government. The council is engaging on what evidence is required to inform future stages of the Local Development Plan preparation. The latest three topics which are now open for comment are: Climate change, mitigation and adaptation, environmental responsibility Design, quality and place Sustainable transport More here https://bit.ly/4cTxMQy

Looking to learn the latest about the #environment sector in #Canada? In this edition: how to turn climate ambition into #ClimateAction, according to Tej Gidda and Greg Carli from GHD; continuing #eco education opportunities via ECO Canada and Royal Roads University; nominations are now open for the #BrownieAwards, presented by Canadian Brownfields Network (CBN) and Actual Media Inc.; a new international #carbontrading hub is in the works with IETA; research from the The ReCover Initiative and QUEST Canada reveals how municipalities can make the most of retrofits for #decarbonization; upcoming industry events, such as the #EnvironmentalSummit presented by Environmental Services Association of Alberta, you won't want to miss; and more. https://lnkd.in/eTyUv9dW

The #NairobiDeclaration at the Africa Climate Summit 2023 included a series of commitments that hold significant relevance for the built and natural environment. #environment #greenspaces #sustainableurbandevelopment Industry news: Why Kenya’s road to green buildings and infrastructure remains bumpy 👇 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dbCiENEU

🚰 Our colleagues at Rio Grande International Study Center are working on innovative water reclamation and reuse project in the works in partnership with the City of Laredo. The organization is spearheading the development of a Community Water and Energy Resource Center that could convert wastewater and food waste into reclaimed water and clean energy. Demand for water in the region is increasing as reservoirs hit record lows, and the Rio Grande's flows become a trickle. In an op-ed published in Next City, read more about how RGISC's project could transform the city's approach to water security, increasing resilience and sustainability for its residents — and why cities across Texas should embrace reuse and conservation as we face the impacts of climate change. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eJgzJRzs

$17.48 million boost for Reef Guardian Councils— because local actions are key to managing the Reef and surrounding regions. 🐢 Reef Guardian Councils across the #GreatBarrierReef catchment in Queensland are receiving up to $920,000 across 3 years for projects that help address the key threats to the Reef. There are 19 councils between Bundaberg and Cooktown in the Reef Guardian Councils program. 🌊 The councils will run a range of projects that will contribute to the protection and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef. 🐋 These projects will also support delivery of the Reef 2050 Long-term Sustainability Plan. 🐬 The Reef Guardian Councils program is a partnership between local governments and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Read more 🔗 https://brnw.ch/21wJDqn #Reef2050 #ProtectTheReef #ReefTrust #WaterQuality 📸 Abode Stock

Decarbonizing Cities’ Water Infrastructure with Cloudburst Planning As we are preparing for the New York City Climate week in September on which we will pre-launch a methodology for city-wide business cases for Blue-Green Infrastructure, I was reminded of this article based on a shared presentation between Ramboll and NYCDEP on Cloudburst Planning in Copenhagen, Singapore, and New York.   Looking forward to meeting all our city partners at the NYC Climate Week to discuss next steps to a resilient and regenerative future.   We know that the Danish Cloudburst Thinking has a lot to offer but also that cities like NYC are advancing rapidly on the important agenda of valuating the co-benefits, urban nature, and not least to take Climate Justice seriously.   Ramboll NYC Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) Københavns Kommune #NYCClimateWeek …   Water & Wastewater Asia September/October 2023 | Water & Wastewater Asia (waterwastewaterasia.com)

Have you heard of Cloudburst Planning? As the lifespan of our urban infrastructure (roads, underground utilities, fixtures, etc.) comes to and end, we tend to simply dig them up and start a new project to renovate, without thinking of how to build back better. This used to be fine, but due to the impacts of climate change, our cities are struggling to cope with extreme weather such as flooding and heat. Cloudburst Planning is a catchment-based approach to urban stormwater management that goes beyond individual isolated renovation projects, allowing them to be part of a bigger, interconnected system. It focuses on utilizing surface and nature based solutions, making it a catalyst for a greener and more resilient city. Once cities have a Cloudburst Plan in place, it gives them a holistic approach to urban infrastructure that they can refer to when renovating and eventually building back a resilient and liveable city. Have a quick read of this 3-page article and get more familiar with the Copenhagen Cloudburst methodology. #cloudburstplanning #naturebasedsolutions #landscapearchitecture #climateadaptation

🌍✨ Last night, I had the pleasure of attending a great event in Manchester that left me inspired! "Building Climate Resilience in Manchester" brought together a diverse group of experts (including Smith Mordak, Amanda Skeldon, Andy Sheppard, Lydia Marshall and Anna Bond) who are truly passionate about making a difference.   My key takeaways:   🌍      "Adaptation and resilience are two disciplines" with adaptation focusing on reacting to specific climate-related challenges in the short term, while resilience takes a proactive, holistic, and long-term approach to building systems and communities that can thrive in the face of uncertainty and change. Both are essential aspects of climate action.   🌍      What caught my attention was the striking resemblance between the themes discussed last night and those discussed during the Natural England #BNG Conference in March. It becomes quite evident that regardless of the specific problem at hand - be it climate adaptation, decarbonisation, biodiversity loss, or the promotion of social value and well-being - #NatureBasedSolutions emerge as a versatile and multifaceted toolkit for addressing these challenges in a holistic manner.   🌍      The panel also urged the need to view climate adaptation on a city scale, considering the interconnectedness of buildings with various networks and systems. "Consider the bigger picture instead of solving one problem at a time, and avoid retrofitting twice." See the parallel with the Lawton review in biodiversity, "bigger, better, more, and more joined up" here?   🌍      Great to see that we are on the right track with our own sustainability strategy at BAM UK & Ireland (https://lnkd.in/eqTNNTBu) - which similarly embraces a comprehensive, systemic perspective.   #ClimateAdaptation #ClimateResilience #Sustainability #Collaboration

This commentary, written together with a team of excellent colleagues, came at the perfect timing. I will be at the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Pavillon in COP28 (1 Dec) to discuss more about our thoughts on urban greening and how different technology can come together to maximize water efficiency while planting.

Here is a roadmap to sustainable land use and effective climate action in South Africa. First, let’s break down the current barriers: 1️⃣ Policy challenges: At times, land use laws do not align with climate objectives, limiting the potential for sustainable development and green infrastructure. Organisations like Presidential Climate Commission, C40 Cities, Sanedi.org, South African Cities Network and many more are working tirelessly to make strides in changing policy that hinders sustainable land use. 2️⃣ Land allocation: Zoning regulations often constrain our ability to allocate land for vital renewable energy projects and cherished green spaces. Zoning divides cities into categories such as residential and commercial. This structure aids urban planning, but may hinder sustainability efforts. For instance, strict residential zoning can obstruct green spaces or renewable energy projects. Read this guide for more information on zoning regulations in SA:  >> https://lnkd.in/dsHxvUmP 3️⃣ Community engagement: Legal processes, regrettably, may serve as roadblocks to full community participation in climate planning, hampering our quest for inclusivity. Historical inequalities, economic challenges, and resource limitations create significant barriers to community participation in South Africa's sustainable development. 4️⃣ Balancing act: Striking the right equilibrium between climate adaptation (such as flood-resistant zoning) and mitigation (for example emissions reduction) can often be a complex legal juggling act. South Africa's efforts to institutionalise decarbonisation have faced hurdles. Climate institutions, particularly those in the energy sector, have struggled to gain traction. 5️⃣ Historical context: Delving into the historical roots of our land use laws becomes imperative in our pursuit of climate justice. Understanding the historical legacy of apartheid is essential in the context of South Africa's land use laws to address past injustices and pursue climate justice. 🌿 To chart a course beyond these challenges and cultivate a climate-resilient South Africa, we must: ✅ Advocate tirelessly for policy reforms that prioritise climate resilience ✅ Seek innovative legal solutions to champion green infrastructure and embrace renewable energy ✅ Champion inclusive community engagement at every stage of climate planning ✅ Explore legal frameworks that harmoniously blend adaptation and mitigation ✅ Confront the historical echoes within our land use laws, and strive for climate justice In the pursuit of climate action, the intricacies of land use law can often waylay sustainable land use reform and effective climate action planning. What have we missed in this discussion? Let us know in the comments. South African Local Government Association South Africa Climate Action Network Jay Naidoo Saliem Fakir Jeremy Wakeford #climateaction #landuseplanning #sustainabilityleadership #justtransition