Tackling climate change in Central and Eastern Europe

Climate change is already affecting our lives and the places we live, and has the potential to the lives of future generations. Climate change is a mainly urban challenge. Over 50% of the world’s population now lives in urban centres and these centres are growing at a rate of 75 million residents per year; the vast majority of this growth is happening in developing countries. Critically, cities use 75% of the world’s total energy, either directly through the combustion of fossil fuels or indirectly through electricity use. In response to this challenge, cities around the world are making efforts in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions or influence over power generation, transport and buildings. There are significant opportunities available for cities and businesses working together to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, that some partnerships deliver results for the climate and that they are financially rewarding for the city governments and businesses involved.