On the third day of COP29, the world’s largest climate conference, ways to make the city more environmentally friendly were discussed. Foreign experts explained what they expect from the countries of the world and why it is important for cities to be “smart.”
Oku.Az reports that the Russian publication “NEWS.ru” writes about it.
What is COP29 and what are the Sustainable Development Goals?
COP29 – The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Baku is the number one event in the world of ecology. According to Azerbaijani media, 67,000 participants have registered: influential politicians, grassroots officials, environmental and social activists and journalists. “85% of the 17,500 hotel rooms are already occupied,” said Anar Alakbarov, assistant to the president of Azerbaijan, member of the COP29 organizing committee. It should be noted that many participants rented communal apartments to attend the forum.
In addition to the fight against climate change, the conference discusses the global movement towards 16 other goals:
– protection of marine ecosystems;
– protection of terrestrial ecosystems;
– guarantee peace, justice and effective institutions;
– elimination of poverty;
– end hunger;
– health and well-being;
– quality education;
– gender equality;
– drinking water and sewage;
– low-cost clean energy;
– decent work and economic growth;
– industrialization and improvement of infrastructure;
– reduction of inequality;
– responsible consumption and production;
– association of countries for sustainable development;
– increase the sustainability of cities and communities.
What problems does urbanization bring today?
The UN notes that rapid urbanization is causing an increase in the number of slum dwellers, inadequate and congested infrastructure, air pollution and unplanned urban expansion.
Half of humanity already lives in cities. In 2030, there will be 5 billion people in cities. At the same time, 883 million people are already forced to live in slums. Most of them are found in East and Southeast Asian countries.
Although the total area of the world’s cities is only 3% of the earth’s surface, these areas account for between 60% and 80% of energy consumption and 75% of carbon dioxide emissions. The UN states that “the rapid pace of urbanization is negatively impacting freshwater supplies, sanitation systems, habitats and public health systems.”
All of this caused 90% of city residents in 2016 to breathe air that did not meet the safety standards established by the World Health Organization, which caused 4.2 million deaths.
What should sustainable cities be like?
Thus, by 2030, more than 190 countries in the world that have signed agreements on the Sustainable Development Goals must achieve many goals, including:
– provide universal access to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services, and improve slums;
– create comfortable and environmentally friendly transport systems for everyone, increase their safety and accessibility, including women, children, the disabled and the elderly;
– expand inclusive and sustainable urbanization;
– strengthen efforts to protect the world’s cultural and natural heritage;
– significantly reduce the number of deaths and injuries, significantly reduce direct economic losses related to natural disasters, including water;
– reduce the negative impact of cities on the environment by improving air quality and waste management;
– increase access to safe, accessible and inclusive green spaces and public spaces.
How is Baku becoming greener?
In one of the sessions, the mayor of the capital of Azerbaijan, Eldar Azizov, welcomed all participants and noted that the goal is to successfully implement the climate agenda in cities.
He said that Azerbaijan will create a special coalition with other countries for sustainable development.
Returning to the events in Baku, the mayor stated that in recent years a number of large-scale projects have been implemented aimed at the development of green public transport (for example, the launch of electric buses), the creation of parks and the increase of bicycle and pedestrian lanes. All of this should reduce the carbon dioxide produced by the city.
