Brazilian Cities Aligning Growth with Sustainable Urban Development
November 19, 2015
A new research report, “The Contribution of Low-carbon Cities to Brazil’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Goals” explores the significant opportunities for urban GHG emissions reductions in Brazilian cities, and highlights how these efforts can support broader national development goals as the urban population continues to grow. The report outlines specific opportunities for further action, including increasing mitigation ambition in the buildings, transportation and waste sectors; it also notes the importance of ensuring that climate policies in Brazil support urban development efforts, which will address poverty and equity issues.
Read moreGlobal Cities, Inc. launches its Digital Classroom in Barcelona
November 10, 2015
Global Cities, Inc., a program of Bloomberg Philanthropies, recognized Barcelona as a major hub for Global Scholars, its international digital classroom, at an event for educators from the Catalan Regional Ministry of Education. Thanks to their efforts, 762 students in 22 of their schools are enrolled in Global Scholars —16 in Barcelona and two each in Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Global Scholars is a peer-to-peer, technology-based program that fosters knowledge of global issues among the next generation.
Read moreOlafur Eliasson to Launch Major Public Artwork at UN Climate Summit in Paris
November 9, 2015
Acclaimed visual artist Olafur Eliasson, in collaboration with distinguished geologist Minik Rosing, announced the upcoming launch of a major public artwork on display during the UN Climate Summit (COP21) in Paris. Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies and realised in partnership with creative sustainability charity Julie’s Bicycle, Ice Watch will showcase 80 tonnes of ice from a fjord outside Nuuk, Greenland with the aim of inspiring public action against climate change.
Read moreCanadian Cities Explore Additional Measures for Achieving Low Carbon Future
October 6, 2015
A new research report, “Low Carbon Futures in Canada: The Role of Urban Climate Change Mitigation” released today explores Canadian cities’ commitments to urban GHG emissions reduction efforts and outlines concrete opportunities for further action, including shifting focus beyond energy and enlisting federal support for these initiatives.
The report, written by Torrie Smith Associates with the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies and Stockholm Environment Institute, found that Canadian cities and local governments are essential to creating a breakthrough for a low carbon future in Canada. More than 80 percent of Canadian citizens live in the top 10 largest metropolitan areas – making Canada’s population among the most urban globally. Despite this fact, only 46 percent of Canada’s overall emission footprint is generated in urban areas, compared with the global average of 70 percent.
Read moreBloomberg Philanthropies, King Baudouin Foundation, and Foundation Center Launch a Data Portal to Map, Share, and Expand Philanthropic Resources
September 16, 2015
Bloomberg Philanthropies, King Baudouin Foundation, and Foundation Center have announced the launch of Equal Footing, a data portal of philanthropic resources that includes research, maps detailing funding activities, and case studies. By providing these knowledge tools, Equal Footing enables users to see what types of development projects are underway, what solutions have had a measurable impact, and what needs are currently underserved. As a result, philanthropists, NGOs, and others will be able to learn, collaborate with each other, and leverage resources for maximum impact.
Read moreChinese Cities As Leaders in Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Efforts
September 15, 2015
A new research report – The Role of Chinese Cities in Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction – released today at the U.S. China Climate Leaders Summit in Los Angeles highlights the crucial role of Chinese cities in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction efforts and describes additional opportunities for urban climate action.
The report, issued by the China Energy Group of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Stockholm Environment Institute with the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies, found that China’s urban energy-related CO2 emissions are responsible for 58% of China’s total energy-related CO2 emissions. These urban emissions are dominated by emissions from manufacturing facilities, industrial parks, and heavy industries such as cement and steel plants located near cities. Buildings represent about a quarter of urban CO2 emissions, divided relatively evenly between residential and commercial/public buildings, while about 13 percent of emissions are from transportation.
Read moreBloomberg Philanthropies Announces Grantees of $30 Million Arts Innovation and Management Program
September 15, 2015
Bloomberg Philanthropies announced the grantees selected to participate in the foundation’s $30 million Arts Innovation and Management (AIM) program for small and midsize nonprofit cultural institutions in six U.S. cities, including Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The invitation-only program, announced in April 2015, supports a diverse set of institutions including local cultural centers and performing, literary and visual art organizations that present music, film, dance, poetry and other art forms.
Read moreBloomberg Philanthropies Announces First Cities Selected to Join What Works Cities Initiative
August 5, 2015
Bloomberg Philanthropies announced the first cities selected to participate in What Works Cities – a $42 million initiative to help 100 mid-sized American cities enhance their use of data and evidence to improve the lives of residents. The mayors of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Jackson, Mississippi; Kansas City, Missouri; Louisville, Kentucky; Mesa, Arizona; New Orleans, Louisiana; Seattle, Washington; and Tulsa, Oklahoma have publicly committed to enhance their use of data and evidence in order to improve services, inform local decision making and engage citizens.
Read moreMayor Anne Hidalgo and Special Envoy Michael R. Bloomberg Announce Global “Climate Summit for Local Leaders”
June 30, 2015
Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris, and Michael R. Bloomberg, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, announced that they will co-chair the Climate Summit for Local Leaders, on December 4, 2015, during the United Nations’ 21st Session of the Conference of Parties (COP21) in Paris.
Read moreBloomberg Philanthropies Partners with the Government of India to Encourage Smarter Urban Development that Improves People’s Lives
June 25, 2015
Bloomberg Philanthropies detailed its partnership with the Government of India in support of the Smart Cities Mission, one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious urban development programs to improve quality of life in India’s fast-growing urban centers. Bloomberg Philanthropies is providing strategic and technical support in the design and delivery of a Smart Cities Challenge, through which central government will select 100 cities over the next three years to receive funding. The foundation also will provide support for cities to develop more innovative and impactful proposals. Bloomberg Philanthropies is leveraging both its expertise in designing large scale competitions for cities and its deep urban policy expertise and network to support the success of the Smart Cities Mission.
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