Finding the balance between economic interests, ecological footprints and climate action
Passionate about energy, cities and campaigning:
Cities and Energy (CEC) is an international consultancy firm based in Hamburg, Germany. Most of our projects are focused on climate action, renewable energy and regenerative cities. Mandates include advocacy campaigns, policy advisory, research, dialogue formats and project management. Our work is inspired by the vision of re-establishing a harmonic relationship between human wellbeing and intact natural ecosystems. Therefore, CEC is passionate about embracing the day-to-day challenge of finding the balance between economic interests and ecologic footprints
Cities and Energy Consulting builds on a broad range of expertise and experience in the field of renewable energy, regenerative cities, management and campaigning. It works closely with business leaders, policymakers and international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO's).
Cities and Energy Consulting
-initiates, coordinates and runs projects and campaigns for different stakeholders
-offers policy and market analysis and strategic advise
-develops capacity building and campaigning concepts
The global energy transition:
Regenerative Cities:
The design and functioning of cities is the key to sustainable development. As the international community turns increasingly towards cities and calls upon them to find effective solutions to the world ́s most pressing issues, cities remain at the center of where the improvements can be achieved. Therefore it is important to engage with a role model for cities that aids regenerative urban space, helping to regenerate the resources that are absorbed and that improves the quality of life of cities. The concept of a regenerative city was dveloped by an international group of urban planers, architects, climate scientists and energy experts between 2009 and 2012. The term builds on the concept of sustainable development but goes beyond that. It puts emphasis on the need for cities not to only to sustain but to actively regenerate the ressources they absorb. Regenerative cities strive not only to stop consuming natural resources at a rate which is faster than ecosystems can recover, but reverse the trend by actively improving the regenerative capacity of ecosystems they rely on. And it adresses the need to also regenerate public space in cities in favour of urban life and people rather than individual car use.
Exemplary Projects and References:
➢ Power to the People (2010-2016): An advocacy project by the WFC that ran for several years to help accelerate the deployment of renewable energy in African countries. This project included policy research, public engagement elements and alliance building. Link
➢ Global 100% Renewable Energy Campaign (since 2012): A global advocacy campaign initated by the WFC and others advocating ambitious renewable energy targets on the regional, national and international levels. Link
➢ International Expert Commission on Cities and Climate Change (2009-2011): An international group of 40 climate experts, renowned architects, urban planners and policymakers that worked for some three years on a new role model for sustainable cities. This resulted in the 'regenerative city' concept which has become official UN language. It's one out nine key recommendations by the UN lead World Urban Campaign. the concept of a Regenerative City suggests that cities constantly regenerate the resspurces they absorb. Link
➢ Future of Cities Forum (since 2011): A conference series on the Future of Cities founded by the WFC with annual high-level gatherings in different parts of the world including India, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Uganda, China and others. Link
➢ Regenerative Cities in China: Judged by either it's speed or scale, China has fully exceeded developed countries in urbanization progress. The magnificent scale of cities and rapid urbanization in China make sustainable development a priority that not only concerns Chinese policy-makers, but also draws attentions from the entire world. The WFC launched the Regenerative Cities program in 2015 to stand with China in meeting the inevitable challenges that occur during sustainable urbanization reform. After one year of trial and error, 2016 marked the second year since the WFC initiated the Regenerative Cities program. Link
F20 – foundations platform: The F20 Foundations Platform convenes more than 60 foundations and philanthropic organizations from different parts of the world in order to further shape the political discourse on future sustainability measures in the context of the G20 states and beyond. F20 provides a platform to foundations that want to be part of the solution - namely implementing the Paris Climate Agreement and accelerating the transition towards renewable energy. The F20 Head Office is hosted by the Hamburg based Environmental Foundation Michael Otto. CEC is managing the F20 secretariat and coordinates its activities.
➢ Support of the Business Declaration on ambitous climate action of the the Stiftung 2°