3 May 2012: The World Bank published a book titled, “Sustainable Low-Carbon City Development in China,” offering practical lessons to policymakers in China to organize and coordinate sustainable low-carbon urban development.

The book suggests a multifaceted approach that addresses spatial development, energy-efficient industry, increased public transport, and sustainable waste management systems. By simultaneously acting on these issues, cities can begin to streamline climate change considerations into planning and investment decisions. The book also focuses on specific sectoral energy challenges, and provides recommendations to each sector. Furthermore, it lays out five key cross-cutting actions that form an overarching framework for low-carbon city development, namely to set appropriate indicators to encourage low-carbon growth; complement administrative measures with market-based approaches and tools; break links between land use, city financing and urban sprawl; encourage inter-sectoral and inter-jurisdictional cooperation; and balance climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. [Publication: Sustainable Low-Carbon City Development in China]