Laurence Carmichael PhD Environment and Health for European Cities in the 21st century: making a difference Stakeholders consultation Utrecht, the Netherlands 13-14th December 2016 Towards the sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health: which role for cities and sub-national level of government?  Laurence Carmichael PhD Head, WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Urban Environments University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk/research/who Laurence.carmichael@uwe.ac.uk

Environment and Health for European Cities in the 21st century: making a difference Overall aim of the document: To support delivery of the global “healthy planet healthy people” agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by: Exploring desirability and opportunities of developing new, strategic and mutually supportive partnerships with European cities and regional authorities in relation to environment and health challenges and the inequalities determined by them; Identifying policy and technical areas for collaboration and partnership between international actors, national governments and sub-national and local levels of government within the context of the European Environment and Health Process (EHP) Facilitating implementation of effective policies and interventions, including at the sub-national and local level, and fostering policy coherence and support across different levels of government

Environment and Health for European Cities in the 21st century: making a difference – the consultative process so far : June 2016 First draft of the document 27-28th June 2016 Stakeholders consultation meeting at WHO Bonn offices (city and national representatives, UN Habitat, EEA, CoR, UNECE, city networks, NGOs) to inform next draft July- October 2016 Redraft following stakeholders feedback November 2016 Distribution of the document to broader stakeholder community 13-14 December 2016 Stakeholder consultation in Utrecht to inform final draft

Cities, key stakeholders of the global healthy people, healthy planet agenda What policy-makers say about cities: Cities today occupy approximatively only 2% of the total land, but make up 70% of global GDP, over 60% of global energy consumption, 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 70% of global waste (Habitat III, 2016) And in response, academics say: The future of the world’s climate will be decided in the cities. (WBGU, 2015)

Drivers of change in European cities European cities align with global trends: Growing importance of cities for economic and social development Increasing movement of people Ageing population Epidemic of non communicable disease Impact of climate change

But European cities show specific demographic, cultural and political features These offer specific challenges and opportunities to policy responses to economic, social or environmental drivers of changes 65% of urban European population live in cities with population less than 500,000 95% urban population live in cities with less than 5 millions Economies of scale Historic heritage Adaptation/resilience to climate change Many European cities have high old age dependency ratios Organisation of services, accessibility of the urban environment Devolution to sub-national and local authorities Leadership. Vertical policy integration Over 60% of decisions taken at the European level have a direct impact on municipalities, provinces and regions 70% to 80% of public investments in Europe are made by local and regional authorities: leadership, community engagement

Cities can make a difference to the Environment and Health Agenda in Europe Cities and natural resources Cities and the human habitat

Sectors where European cities make a difference to international policy Resource management and climate action: Waste management Energy Air pollution Water management Food systems Ecological systems, biodiversity and green spaces City living and health: Urban planning and design Equity Housing Transport planning

How can European cities make a difference in these fields? (1) Local and sub-national responsibilities align with many SDGs Many cities have developed their own initiatives to tackle climate change and promote healthy living, for example: City planners licensing fast food outlets, providing spaces for allotments Cities imposing Health Impact Assessment on new developments Transport planners developing strategies for active travel and public transport Green Capital Cities have promoted multi-sector partnerships Cities have developed brownfield first and green belt policies Some cities are exploring the smart city agenda Local crowd funding of local projects 3. Over 60% of decisions taken at the European level have a direct impact on municipalities, provinces and regions. Cities integrate international policies in their services, for instance: Energy Performance of buildings Directive part of local planning policies Municipalities educate residents and invest in infrastructure/services to meet Waste Framework Directive

How can European cities make a difference in these fields? (2) 4. At the frontline of democracy, their leadership is best placed to ensure that settlements are inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable Examples of challenges that are best tackled at local level: Social inclusion: integration of migrants Infrastructure and service delivery based on needs assessments and hard priorities (housing, schools, healthcare) Development of integrated operations for resource management Making policy within context of multi-actor interests and negotiations Obtaining consensus on local spatial and transport plans and strategies City assets/opportunities: Opportunities for policy integration adapted to local needs and priorities Proximity helps building public/private/academic sector collaborations: creativity and innovation, green technologies, urban design, skill base Leadership and community engagement support knowledge synergies and respond to local needs Knowledge of what works and what does not work on their territories

How can European cities make a difference in these fields? (3) 5. Cities have organised themselves in thematic networks NB: This is encouraged by the EU urban agenda Purpose and benefits: Cohesive local approach to challenges Knowledge exchange, good practice Fostering multi-sector partnerships Informing international policy processes WHO Healthy Cities and Regions for Health networks EU Committee of the Regions Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) Covenant of Mayors ICLEI EUROCITIES POLIS

Placing urban policies at the heart of the EHP and SDG delivery – proposed guiding principles Respect subsidiarity and legitimacy Use of evidence-base to inform policy-making Pursue the reduction of inequalities and build social and physical resilience Abide by the Aarhus convention (public participation, transparency) Consider cross border issues Commitment to health in all policies, “whole-of-government” and “whole-of-society” approach

Placing urban policies at the heart of the EHP and SDG delivery – Possible topics and approaches air pollution, water and sanitation, energy, waste, housing, urban spaces and mobility, climate change and resilience In practice: Develop cross sectoral collaboration, in particular between public health and urban and transport planning, with Establish a new platform to channel sub-national representation in the EHP and promote vertical policy coherence and collaboration across international, national and local levels of governance Develop a strong knowledge sharing ethos Maximise use of tools already available to cities to evaluate the impact of policies, plans and projects – Health Impact Assessment

Next steps Review the draft document in line of: Feedback and discussion at this consultation; Political discussion on the outcomes of the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health; Launch the document at the Sixth Ministerial Conference.

Thank you Laurence Carmichael WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Urban Environments University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk/research/who Laurence.carmichael@uwe.ac.uk