We live on a rapidly urbanizing planet, but our cities are struggling to provide basic services to their people – from clean air and water to reliable public transport and safe, affordable housing. As a result of this unprecedented urban growth, carbon emissions are on the rise and pressures on vital ecosystems are intensifying.

Annual Report 2021-2022
UrbanShift was launched at Climate Week NYC in September 2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, we made tremendous progress over the course of the year, working together with cities, countries, organizations and governments to pave the way for sustainable and inclusive urban transformation. Read about the milestones accomplished in UrbanShift's first year of action.
- 2/3 of the world's population
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will live in cities by 2050
- 70% of global CO2 emissions
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are produced by cities
- 1.4 billion city dwellers
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are at high or extreme risk of climate hazards
LATEST NEWS & EVENTS

Freetown Climate Action Strategy
Freetown's first attempt toward delivering on its commitment to the Paris Agreement, this strategy presents innovative, evidence-based solutions to help the city adapt to climate risks while strengthening mitigation efforts.

Unlocking investment in nature for a just urban transformation
Organized in parallel to the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, this webinar highlighted the findings of UNEP's latest "State of Finance for Nature" report and explored what's needed to accelerate the financing of urban nature.

How Forests Near and Far Benefit People in Cities
A growing body of research shows that even forests located far away from urban centers provide tremendous benefits in regulating the global climate, water and biodiversity systems that are essential to people’s health and quality of life.

OUR FUNDER AND PARTNERS
UrbanShift is the brand name of the Global Environment Facility’s Sustainable Cities Impact Program. It is led by the UN Environment Programme and implemented in partnership with the World Resources Institute, C40 Cities, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, the UN Development Programme, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. UrbanShift builds on the lessons and experiences of the Sustainable Cities Integrated Approach Pilot, facilitated through the Global Platform for Sustainable Cities.