11. Sustainable cities and communities
More than half of the world’s population now live in urban areas. By 2050, that figure will have risen to 6.5 billion people – two-thirds of all humanity. Extreme poverty is often concentrated in urban spaces, and national and city governments struggle to accommodate the rising population in these areas. Making cities safe and sustainable means ensuring access to safe and affordable housing, and upgrading slum settlements. Sustainable development cannot be achieved without significantly transforming the way we build and manage our urban spaces.
Read our stories to learn more about SDG Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
SDG 11 Sustainable cities and communities is supported by ABB
News
The European Union (EU) ’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) imposes significant costs on countries with high carbon emission intensity and substantial export dependence.
Food & Agriculture
Tree islands ‘restore biodiversity’ in oil palm farms
Oil palm plantations are known for environmental harms such as biodiversity loss. A study suggests establishing tree islands within large oil palm farms could promote the recovery of native trees and biodiversity.
As small glaciers in China’s arid north-west melt, scientists scramble to understand the changes taking place.
Indonesian president’s pledge at last year’s G20 met with mixed reactions.
Food & Agriculture
Tropical island nations face a land crisis
Carbon & Climate
Air pollution measures fail to address thermal power emissions
Opinion
Carbon & Climate
Ban solar geoengineering
Youth activists demand a global ban on solar geoengineering, warning it’s a dangerous distraction from real climate solutions and a generational betrayal.
Food & Agriculture
Synergising digital tech and climate tech to enhance Asean climate action
To ensure the food security of our region amidst climate change, there is no time like the present to determine how climate and digital technologies can work together to feed Asean.
Food & Agriculture
Meat and dairy’s methane emissions must be on the table in 2025
Countries must address the cow in the room in the lead up to Brazil’s COP30.
Measuring environmental impact has historically been prohibitively expensive, but technology can change the equation. Blockchain advocate Sunny Lu argues that verified sustainability can help brands build trust with eco-conscious consumers.
Policy & Finance
Need human rights research? Talk to the Global South
Videos
There is consensus that coal needs to be retired early in Asia, but the mechanisms for financing the phase-out are not clear. This mini-documentary examines how transition credits work and whether they can fund Southeast Asia's equitable switch to clean power.
EB Studio
From sponge cities to coastal forests, Asia is seeking ways to work with nature and prepare for the risks in a warmer-than-expected future. This Eco-Business video looks at what else cities need to do to strengthen climate resilience.
Exclusive
Jack Johnson says yes, but it is a long road ahead. In this exclusive interview, we ask the American singer-songwriter and UNEP Goodwill Ambassador about his hopes for the state of the world and how music plays a role in providing a dose of optimism in dark times.
Launched as policymakers lock horns with petrochemicals lobbyists over a treaty to end plastic pollution, the documentary produced by Eco-Business asks why opportunities to solve humanity's waste crisis are being wasted. It will premiere in Singapore and screen on the sidelines of the upcoming COP28 climate summit.
Podcasts
Indonesian environmental campaigners took a novel approach to raising climate awareness by publishing five children's books about the country's environmental issues. This podcast explores their creative process and the public's response.
UN climate report authors need to commit to the integrity of assessment processes while working with governments with differing interests. Dr Theresa Wong tells the Eco-Business podcast why the stakes are high to get climate science right.
EB Studio
Plastic waste is flooding the planet. Instead of waiting for regulation to drive change, give value to recyclables and mobilise the people, says Plastic Bank.
EB Studio
With alternatives such as sustainable aviation fuel still too expensive and low in demand for the aviation industry to consider, carbon offsets could be a way to reduce emissions – if used right. EcoSecurities and the International Air Transport Association tell the Eco-Business podcast how airlines can ensure compliance when new regulations become mandatory
