The contribution of cities to global CO2 emissions, compounded by the growing urbanization trend, positions urban ecosystems as a critical proving ground to address environmental challenges.

Accelerating urban transformation to meet climate targets is imperative. But where to start? While there is growing momentum around net zero carbon targets for cities, there is no single path to achieving this. The World Economic Forum’s Net Zero Carbon Cities (NZCC) programme aims to demonstrate the value of integrated energy solutions to deliver decarbonized, sustainable and resilient urban ecosystems across the world. 

This paper shows how the built environment and mobility can serve as the foundations to kickstart urban transformation anywhere in the world, and do not necessarily require government investment.