Demonstration projects Introduce new accounting and benchmarking standards for environmental performance at the city level Set clear time-based and sector specific targets based on robust indicator for green city development
Ensure that any urban development strategy or policy across all levels will have to be looked at in terms of carbon emission effects Introduce this new management system for natural resources and environmental quality measured and accounted for in a budget Adopt a city biodiversity index which combines quantifying biodiversity, related ecosystem’s services and related management
Integrate this map based analysis tools in all processes allowing cities to better track and plan developments Engagement
Increasing internet access particularly of poorer communities while making all relevant information available online Issue-based engagement with local communities and public debates with politicians presenting and defending development plans Harness the potential of local activism to improve quality of life and the environment through community-based projects Ensure maximum levels of transparency and advance on freedom of information legislation
Recognise role of e-governance and participation in providing information and access to monitoring and achieving sustainability targets
Awareness
School curriculums to include “green education” and provision of professional “green training” for public and private organisations Raising awareness of the advantages of green city strategies, particularly on compact city living and green transport Eco-labelling of consumer items to help consumers make more informed choices and provide additional incentives for green products
New smart monitoring and metering devices can provide real time information on resource use: Without smart metres no smart consumers
Providing new residents with information packages on green living as behaviour can be best changed when building a new daily routine
Disseminating information on green city projects that have worked elsewhere to inform local adaptations Establishment of test projects within cities to allow for better assessment and public exposure to new approaches
Table 7: Selected information-based instruments
largest industrial centres, has shown. A combination of information and regulatory enforcement tools are used to force textile firms to reduce water pollution – saving money in the process. One large firm reduced pollution by 90 per cent, energy use by 40 per cent and chemical use by 85 per cent (Robins and Kumar 1999).
Fuel taxes Carbon pricing
Pricing for ecosystem services Reduce perverse incentives
Tax incentives
Road user charges Parking charges
Land development tax Land auctioning
Licence plate auctioning
Table 7: Selected information-based instruments presents a range of informational tools covering three broad categories of monitoring, engagement and awareness. The instruments selected have either been critical to successful examples of greening cities or have gained particular prominence in the current discourse.
Increase fuel tax to internalise external costs of private vehicle use and to adjust demand to the road capacity International, national or regional cap and trade schemes that set a maximum for carbon emissions which are being traded Payments for ecosystem services (PES) that linking beneficiaries and suppliers of related services Cut tax reductions or incentives that encourage longer commuting (Germany) or single family housing (US)
Provide funding or tax reductions for citizens or companies investing in renewable energy, retrofitting buildings or other green projects
Managing traffic demand and adjusting vehicle levels to available or reduced road capacities by charging private vehicle use in cities Charging for on- and off-street parking based on market prices to reduce parking demand and release space for higher value usage Taxing the release of new land to maximise usage and to contribute to financing green infrastructure development Limiting over-consumption of land by capping the release of new land to then be auctioned Limiting the growth of private vehicles by capping at certain numbers and auctioning related licences