Dear UBC colleagues,
During the last ten years, the global discussion concerning cities and development has been focusing on the concept of Smart cities. The cities have to have smart water and energy systems, smart urban transport systems, smart services and smart urban planning. Building, developing or modernization of our urban infrastructures and city areas is a long and often complex process. Cooperation, exchange of expertise and experiences between cities has been a guarantee for success.
In 2017, UBC started a strategic partnership with CDP, the world’s leading organization on voluntary Climate reporting. Currently over 530 cities, 100 states and regions, and more than 5500 companies use the system to report, share and take action on climate change every year. For UBC, this cooperation is fruitful and gives us an additional possibility to support the work we are already doing in our respective cities. Our next bulletin that will be sent later this spring will focus more specifically on UBC-CDP cooperation, so stay tuned!
Furthermore, UBC Sustainable Cities Commission has a new Advisory Board with new members. See more in detail about our important members in the news below. The next Advisory Board meeting (23 March 2018 in St. Petersburg) will look into next projects and activities for UBC cities in 2029 and further on. The global competition of businesses and people is though, the world is moving into low-carbon societies and the cities are facing challenges in becoming more sustainable, efficient and attractive. Therefore, our Baltic Sea Region cities need to have ambitious goals and work together. Succeeding in this requires strong leadership and cooperation is the key!
Björn Grönholm
Head of Secretariat
Union of the Baltic Cities - Sustainable Cities Commission