Category: Europe

Categories
Europe

Creating a Sustainable World: 21st Century Challenges and the Sustainable Development Goals

Creating a Sustainable World: 21st Century Challenges and the Sustainable Development Goals

CROSS-CUTTING SECTORS

Education for Sustainable Development, Capacity building, SDGs

ORGANISATION(S)

University of Manchester and external partners

PROJECT OVERVIEW 

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a call from the United Nations for all countries to tackle, by 2030, the global challenges faced by humanity. The SDGs cover a wide range of challenges, with 17 goals backed up by 169 indicators including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice.

This online course equips students and professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to address the SDGs. It presents the concept of sustainable development and explains the basis of partnership working that underpins the SDG approach. Each SDG is explored through its own module, drawing on expertise from more than 100 leading international researchers, policy-makers and practitioners. Students work in interdisciplinary teams on applied projects set by external organisations through our University Living Lab, so that their assessment contributes to helping deliver the SDGs.

The course is being made available to the Association of Commonwealth Universities and for postgraduate students.  A capsule version will soon be publicly available. The range of applied projects is already publicly available, including currently available projects as well as results from previous projects. We would welcome further partnerships for research projects or if you would like to use the University Living Lab within your teaching.

Click here to find out more.

RELEVANCE TO THE CALL TO ACTION ON SUSTAINABLE URBANISATION ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH

These examples have been chosen because of their relevance to the Call to Action, as shown by the direct quotes provided below. To view the Call to Action click here.

“Commonwealth organisations representing cities and local government, the private sector, academia and the built environment professions, are championing this Call to Action on Sustainable Urbanisation across the Commonwealth.”

Universities, research, technology, innovation, and knowledge sharing will be at the heart of ensuring sustainable cities and human settelements of the future.

THIS EXAMPLE HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY

The University of Manchester: http://www.college.manchester.ac.uk/

Categories
Europe

Community Power Stations Provide Youth Training and Clean Energy

Community Power Stations Provide Youth Training and Clean Energy in London, UK

CROSS-CUTTING SECTORS

Renewable Energy, Community-Led, Youth, Financing

ORGANISATION(S)

Repowering

PROJECT OVERVIEW 

Repowering helps communities fund, install and manage renewable power stations on social housing blocks and community buildings. Solar energy systems on social housing estates in London are generating valuable community funds, and the organisation’s holistic approach tackles fuel poverty while providing employment and mentoring opportunities for young people and local residents.

Started by a group of volunteers, Repowering London is now a Community Benefit Society with a very powerful vision, working in partnership with Local Authorities and community groups to deliver local solutions to local energy problems. A collaborative approach ensures that the interests of the community are at the heart of any project, and its residents are included in every step of the way.

Through Repowering’s projects, communities have raised more than £150,000 to improve their neighbourhoods – while more than 100 young people have benefited from paid internships.

Click here to find out more.

RELEVANCE TO THE CALL TO ACTION ON SUSTAINABLE URBANISATION ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH

These examples have been chosen because of their relevance to the Call to Action, as shown by the direct quotes provided below. To view the Call to Action click here.

  • “Cities are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and where the impacts of climate change are experienced acutely.”
  • “Well managed cities and human settlements are drivers of economic development, centres of innovation and entrepreneurship, and sources of trade and employment that are vital for the livelihoods of their citizens, 60% of whom are under 30.”
  • “Sustainable urbanisation requires a commitment to good governance, integrated planning, effective service delivery together with fiscal and political empowerment.”
  • “Universities, research, technology, innovation, and knowledge sharing will be at the heart of ensuring sustainable cities of the future.”

THIS EXAMPLE HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY

Repowering: https://www.repowering.org.uk/

Categories
Europe

One City Plan in Bristol UK

One City Plan in Bristol UK

CROSS-CUTTING SECTORS

Governance, SDGs, Public service delivery, Urban Planning, Youth, Housing, Climate, Financing, Transport, Health, Capacity Building, Community-led

ORGANISATION(S)

Bristol City Council

PROJECT OVERVIEW 

Launched in January 2019, the One City Plan describes where Bristol wants to be by 2050, and how city partners will work together to create a fairer, healthy and sustainable city. The One City Approach brings together a wide range of public, private, and third sector partners within Bristol. They share an aim to make Bristol a fair, healthy and sustainable city. A city of hope and aspiration, where everyone can share in its success. One of the key messages to the city is that no single organisation can solve the interconnected challenges facing Bristol alone. The One City Approach reconstitutes the City Council as a convening space for the energy and expertise of the city’s businesses, universities, public services, sports clubs, international communities and the voluntary and community sector. By bringing together partners from across the city they can deliver sustainable inclusive development that is integrated and improves connection with communities by including under-represented groups, and allowing them to shape the plans. The One City Plan is structured around six themes; Connectivity, Economy, Environment, Health and Wellbeing, Homes and Communities, and Learning and Skills. All the initiatives within the One City Plan are underpinned by the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, which provide an internationally recognised framework to benchmark the city’s aspirations and progress. Click here to view the One City Plan dashboard.

RELEVANCE TO THE CALL TO ACTION ON SUSTAINABLE URBANISATION ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH 

These examples have been chosen because of their relevance to the Call to Action, as shown by the direct quotes provided below. To view the Call to Action click here.

  • “Cities and human settlements are responsible for ensuring delivery of essential services including water, sanitation, healthcare, education, public transport, and housing”
  • “Cities are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and where the impacts of climate change are experienced acutely.”
  • “Sustainable urbanisation demands collective action – genuine multi-level governance – to empower, enable and support cities and their citizens.”
  • “Sustainable urbanisation requires a commitment to good governance, integrated planning, effective service delivery together with fiscal and political empowerment.”
  • “The Commonwealth has the potential to transform the way in which it does business to achieve a uniquely Commonwealth response to the challenges and opportunities of urbanisation.”

THIS EXAMPLE HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY

Bristol City Council

Categories
Asia Europe

Nutrition Smart Cities: ‘BINDI’ Birmingham India Nutrition Initiative in Birmingham and Pune

Nutrition Smart Cities: ‘BINDI’ Birmingham India Nutrition Initiative in Birmingham and Pune 

CROSS-CUTTING SECTORS

Food, Health, COVID-19 

ORGANISATION(S)

Food Foundation, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Birmingham City Council, Pune Municipal Corporation 

PROJECT OVERVIEW 

The Food Foundation facilitated a learning partnership between Birmingham, UK and Pune, India which involved the development of policies and practices as part of a ‘Food Smart City’ initiative. Food Smart Cities use data and technology to change the way that food is produced, processed, distributed and consumed. Birmingham and Pune have a common ambition to seize opportunities to support safer, healthier and more sustainable city food environments which prevent malnutrition in all its forms. The focus of the partnership is on policies regarding food prepared out of the home – to encourage that food which is available and promoted is safe, nutritious, affordable and procured in a manner which supports environmental sustainability and local economic development. In the first 18-month phase, the Food Foundation worked with local authorities in both cities to design the partnership, based on citizen engagement and evidence from elsewhere around the globe. A Situational Analysis Reports for both Birmingham and Pune which compiled secondary data on the nutrition situation in both cities to inform the partnership. Both cities shared a similar approach when responding to the COVID-19 emergency. Case studies and videos have been produced highlighting partnerships with the voluntary sector to ensure emergency food aid was delivered to communities and families in need. Click here to find out more.  

RELEVANCE TO THE CALL TO ACTION ON SUSTAINABLE URBANISATION ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH

These examples have been chosen because of their relevance to the Call to Action, as shown by the direct quotes provided below. To view the Call to Action click here.

  • “Sustainable urbanisation demands collective action – genuine multi-level governance – to empower, enable and support cities and their citizens. This is critical as many Commonwealth cities and human settlements are grappling with poverty, informality, food security and migration.” 
  • “Sustainable urbanisation requires a commitment to good governance, integrated planning, effective service delivery together with fiscal and political empowerment.” 
  • “The Commonwealth has the potential to transform the way in which it does business to achieve a uniquely Commonwealth response to the challenges and opportunities of urbanisation.” 

THIS EXAMPLE HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY

Food Foundation: https://foodfoundation.org.uk/