Across the globe, cities account for most of our carbon emissions and energy use. While cities cover 3% of the earth’s land surface ,1 they create more than 70% of all carbon emissions,2 mainly from buildings, energy and transport. They also consume 78% of the world’s primary energy.

Currently, 54% of all people live in cities – a percentage that is projected to rise to 68% by 2050. As the population grows, so does new construction, resulting in even higher energy consumption and carbon emissions.

To keep global temperature increases to 1.5°C or below, cities have to achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century.3 As the world faces economic, health and social setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, solutions that solve multiple issues are critical and can maximize limited resources.

This report provides a global framework and recommends an integrated energy approach,defined as “systemic efficiency”, as a solution to the current environmental, economic, health and social crises. Systemic efficiency encompasses clean electrification, smart digital technology, and efficient buildings and infrastructure, along with a circular economy approach to water, waste and materials.Planning and digital technologies that integrate buildings, energy, transport and water systems are central to systemic efficiency.

By taking a holistic approach, cities have an opportunity to boost their resilience to withstand a range of potential future climate- and health-related crises. This framework aims to provide solutions that will enable cities to rethink the delivery of urban infrastructure and ensure that it is greener, smarter,resilient, more equitable and efficient.