Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index 2024
Arcadis, a leading design and consulting firm, is urging cities worldwide to step up their sustainability efforts.
Their newly released Sustainable Cities Index (SCI) 2024 underscores the urgency of tackling climate change and other urban environmental challenges, with only 2,000 days left to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
The Report: Ranking and Methodology
The SCI ranks 100 cities across three key sustainability pillars: Planet, People, and Profit. This year marks the sixth edition of the report, which has evolved to include 67 metrics reflecting our growing understanding of urban sustainability. These metrics cover air quality, waste management, low-carbon infrastructure (renewables and sustainable transport), economic performance, social equity, and disaster resilience.
A New Dimension: Tracking Progress
A significant addition this year is the "Progress" pillar. It measures how cities have changed over the past decade, highlighting the impact of sustainability initiatives. This, combined with the other pillars, offers valuable insights into a city's trajectory and the importance of continuous improvement to reach the SDGs.
Europe Takes the Lead
European cities dominate the SCI's top ranks. All four German cities (Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, and Berlin) made the top 10, thanks to achievements in sanitation, waste management, and low emissions.
The Planet pillar, focusing on sustainable energy and low-emission transport, is a strong indicator of overall success. Nine of the top 10 Planet performers are also in the overall top 10. This suggests these areas are crucial for impactful urban sustainability efforts.
Profitability and Sustainability Can Coexist
The 2024 index debunks the myth that a strong economy hinders environmental sustainability. The report shows that a thriving economy can fuel investments in green infrastructure, renewable energy, and social programmes. Amsterdam, the most sustainable city this year, also leads in the Profit pillar, excelling in income, living standards, employment, and transport infrastructure.
North American Cities: Rethinking Success
While North American cities dominate the Profit pillar (San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago, Houston, New York, and Seattle), their overall rankings expose a concerning disconnect. Strong business performance does not translate to rising wages and living standards for all residents. To improve, inclusive development strategies are crucial. The report stresses that North American and European cities can learn from each other to achieve well-rounded sustainability across all pillars.
Progress Over the Last Decade
Many European cities with strong starting points have continued to make substantial progress. Examples include Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Warsaw, Copenhagen, and German cities. Their commitment to renewable energy, female workforce participation, and healthcare keeps them at the forefront of sustainability advancement.
Interestingly, some Asian cities like Jakarta, Wuhan, and Shanghai rank low overall but high in Progress. This suggests that even small initial steps towards sustainability can have a large impact and generate momentum for further progress in cities with limited existing infrastructure or practices.
John Batten, Arcadis Global Cities Director, said:
“Cities play a critical role in advancing the sustainable development agenda. However, our progress assessment shows that a lot more needs to be done to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. With just 2,000 days to go, the challenge is to keep pushing the boundaries of innovation.
"Whether that’s by scaling up renewable energy initiatives, integrating climate considerations into infrastructure planning, improving mobility through intelligent traffic management, or supporting the retrofit of existing buildings through planning and investment, there are always areas to improve on. As the 2030 deadline approaches cities must build on their successes, identify areas for progress, and foster collaboration to address challenges with ever greater urgency and determination.”
The Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index 2024 paints a clear picture: accelerated action is needed to achieve a sustainable future for our cities. By learning from leaders and focusing on all aspects of sustainability, cities around the world can rise to the challenge.
Download the report here.
Discover an extensive network of ESG providers here
Source: Arcadis
