Harmonious cities - UN-Habitat

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IN-FOCUS Energy Cities like Rio de Janeiro were one of the first to realise that energy efficiency is the only way forward Ph o t o © jo n A S me l l Q v i S t have tackled technical risk by collaborating with the Inter-American Development Bank to establish a new financial tool, the Energy Efficiency Guarantee Mechanism. This operates effectively as an insurance product for the lending banks against the risk of technical failure by the energy service company in 38 u r b a n WORLD November 2008 its mission to reduce consumption and make the projected savings on energy costs. The importance of the project lies not only in the environmental benefits for Brazil but also for the rest of the world. “This is very important in the sense that if we do it right in Brazil we should be able By 2030 the use of coal could rise by 73 percent according to the International Energy Agency Ph o t o © St e v e ed W A r d S to replicate it in other countries,” says Peter Stevenson, Principal Investment Officer at the Inter-American Development Bank. “We see this as a pilot project that may stimulate banks to invest in further energy efficiency projects.” Some energy companies dedicate 0.25 percent of annual revenues to energy efficiency projects in customer facilities and general conservation education efforts. The wire charge fund provided about USD 250 million to efficiency initiatives between 1998 and 2004 and many utilities work with energy service companies to fulfill these requirements, helping the industry grow. Financial benefits for Brazil in developing the industry are also a key motivator, and its success could prove to be the impetus for the blossoming of a domestic industry. “This is not about attracting foreign energy service companies,” says Mr. Langlois. “It’s about building an ESCO market within Brazil that is strong enough to operate by itself.” u Note: this article is based in part on interviews conducted for the IDB magazine Multilateral.
Benjamin Earwicker Craig Jewell Selection criteria: 1. Impact: positive and significant impact on improving the urban living environment. 2. Sustainability: lasting changes in improving the urban living environment. 3. Innovation: innovative approach to improving the urban living environment. 4. Affordability: affordable business models and technologies to improve the urban living environment of deprived settlements and households. FOR A BETTER URBAN FUTURE Habitat Business Award for Sustainable Urbanisation The award aims to recognise and publicise outstanding achievements contributing to sustainable urbanisation through responsible corporate practices. The award comprises of a trophy and a commemorative certificate. All for-profit commercial enterprises or businesses are eligible for this award. Outstanding achievement in five areas: 1. Affordable housing solutions. 2. Sustainable water, sanitation and waste management, and urban infrastructure solutions. 3. Clean urban-energy solutions, mitigation and adaptation to climate change. 4. Innovative information and communication technology solutions for urban development and management. 5. Disaster mitigation and post-disaster reconstruction. The Habitat Business Award is presented by UN-HABITAT in partnership with the China Real Estate Chamber of Commerce (CRECC) and the All China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC). Submit your best practice at www.unhabitat.org before 31 December 2008 On 30 March 2009, winners will be announced and notified. The Business Awards will be presented in an Asian capital city by the end of April 2009. For more information, e-mail: bpsu@unhabitat.org
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Page 4 and 5: OPINION Message from the Executive
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Page 8 and 9: OPINION Coping with urbanisation Wh
Page 10 and 11: OPINION Urbanisation — the engine
Page 12 and 13: COVER STORY The future role of citi
Page 14 and 15: COVER STORY Cities - Back to the Fu
Page 16 and 17: COVER STORY China and India: a tell
Page 22 and 23: COVER STORY Urban inequalities Not
Page 24 and 25: COVER STORY The century of the city
Page 26 and 27: COVER STORY The century of the city
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Page 38 and 39: IN-FOCUS Energy Brazil leads the fi
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Page 46 and 47: URBAN WATCH News World Habitat Day
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Harmonious cities - UN-Habitat

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