LCFC

Urbanisation poses a significant challenge in the 21st century with an estimated 80 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions linked to urban areas. With global urbanisation expected to increase from 50 to 60 percent of the global population in the near future, the enormous contribution of urban areas to global greenhouse gas emissions is bound to further increase. Therefore, urban low carbon concepts are an essential element of an effective climate policy strategy.

The project "Low Carbon Future Cities" is addressing this large mitigation potential through Low Carbon Future City (LCFC) concepts in an integrated and participatory approach. It brings together the concepts of low-carbon, circular economy and adaptation to climate change. Combining different approaches for tackling climate change, the Low Carbon Future Cities project is a first-of-its-kind activity and highly innovative.

The project will scientifically explore the Low Carbon Future City concept in two case studies: the German region of Düsseldorf and the Chinese city of Wuxi. Both cities are aspiring to lower their environmental footprint and increase their resilience by developing and implementing an integrated climate strategy. The concepts developed for these two different urban areas, one located in a Western industrialised country and the other located in a Far Eastern fast-growing country, shall function as examples to cities in other parts of the world.

The scientific analysis will be supplemented with a stakeholder dialogue. The rationale of the forum is to foster Sino-German mutual learning and disseminate the outcomes of the research to decision-makers from politics, industry and civil society in order to ensure a high impact.

The Low Carbon Future City strategies will be developed in a Sino-German consortium of research institutions under the leadership of the Wuppertal Institute. Research will be conducted in close co-operation with partners in both cities and the sponsoring foundation, Stiftung Mercator.