The city is constructing new sidewalks for pedestrians, developing cycling networks and improving its entire public transport system. By making a larger area of the city accessible by alternative transit methods, Merida is making it easy for people to leave their cars at home. And to reduce carbon levels even more, the city is imposing pollution fines and restricting the times when cargo transports can operate. On top of that, Merida is transitioning to clean energy for street lighting and offering tax incentives to encourage residents to install solar panels in their homes.
The city is constructing new sidewalks for pedestrians, developing cycling networks and improving its entire public transport system. By making a larger area of the city accessible by alternative transit methods, Merida is making it easy for people to leave their cars at home. And to reduce carbon levels even more, the city is imposing pollution fines and restricting the times when cargo transports can operate. On top of that, Merida is transitioning to clean energy for street lighting and offering tax incentives to encourage residents to install solar panels in their homes.
We love to get around
Our participating cities are transforming the way people travel. For sustainable cities, improving the way people get around also means reducing the amount of energy we use while improving air quality and health. Transportation accounts for 25% of global energy
use so cities are finding ways to change that. Car-free and car-restricted areas, electrification, more public transport, promoting cycling and pedestrian-friendly streets are just some of the better ways to travel that will lead to a healthier environment.
We love the power of nature
Our participating cities love the power of nature and are becoming hotspots for renewable energy solutions. Right now, city dwellers are responsible for over 70% of our planet’s energy-related carbon emissions. But by becoming trailblazers for renewables, cities have
the opportunity to change that. From solar water heating, geothermal heating, biogas, wind farms, solar electricity and smart grids, renewables don’t affect the air we breathe, our water supplies and our climate system. And that means healthy, happier people.
We love green buildings
Our participating cities are at the forefront of improving the places that we live and work. Buildings define the character of our cities. But it’s not just about what they look like, it’s about how they work too. Buildings use one third of the world’s energy, and in bigger
cities they account for up to 80% of carbon emissions. By championing new designs, incentives and standards, cities are leading the way to more energy-efficient homes, and inspiring a global trend where new buildings become energy producers rather than energy consumers.
We love clean living
By wasting less and loving more, our participating cities are leading the way to smart waste solutions. Like turning waste into resource. Biogas, district heating, compost, fertilizer, irrigation, and recycled goods all come from waste and
waste water. And making these resources creates jobs too. By minimizing and trapping waste for material and energy, smarter urban waste management improves the economy, the environment and promotes clean living – all at the same time.
We love good food
From top restaurants to cool street stalls, food is a big part of what defines a city. It’s also becoming a big part of the sustainability journey. Climate-smart food procurement and the promotion of more veggie based diets addresses food’s climate
impact as well as health issues; urban farming is improving food security; while hospitals and schools are recycling packaging and composting leftovers so nothing goes to waste. The more cities use the power of food, the better cities will become.
We Love Cities has reached over 200 million people globally since its inception in 2013. Over 150 cities have participated, with over 10 million citizen engagements and more than 100,000 citizen improvement suggestions shared to city officials.
The initiative is run by WWF – the world’s leading nature conservation organization — passionate about building a future in which people live in harmony with nature.
As a key aspect of that mission, we support the creation and development of cities that enable all people to thrive and prosper while respecting the ecological limits of our one and only planet.
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