Knowledge Transfer and Learning in and between Low-

Carbon cities

Prof. Kristine KernUniversity of Potsdam/IRS

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Contents

�Low-carbon cities in Multi-level Climate Governance

�Local Dimension of Urban Climate Governance

�Multi-level Dimension of Urban Climate Governance

�Conclusions

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Low-carbon cities in Multi-level Climate Governance

�Cities are important actors within multi-level climate governance

�Global climate change affects metro-regions in three different ways�generate GHG emissions (mitigation)�affected by climate change (adaptation)�develop social and technological innovations to

combat climate change�Global, EU, national, and local climate governance

interdependent (transnational city networks)

Local Dimension of Urban Climate Governance

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Modes of Urban Climate Governance

� City as consumer (‘self-governing’)

� City as facilitator (‘governing through enabling’)

� City as provider (‘governing by provision’)

� City as planner and regulator (‘governing by regulation’)

���� Knowledge transfer and learning within cities (in time and space)

■The local dimension urban climate governance

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Climate Governance in Malmö

� Malmö’s climate policy is based on its Environmental Program, its Masterplan and sectoral strategies (in particular Energy Strategy)

� Environment strategy has four priorities (climate, resources, lifestyle, green city)

� New Masterplan (2012); long-term approach; Malmö as a sustainable and attractive city

� By 2020, Malmö’s organisation will be climate neutral � By 2030 all of Malmö will run 100% on renewable energy���� Climate change and sustainability addressed simultaneously

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Western Harbour

� trans-formed from an industrial park into an area for sustainable living

� industrial land with contamination and affected environment

� fundamental ecological approach to planning; environmental sustainability

� Malmö University opened� leading example of environmental adaptation of a

densely built urban environment

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Multi-level Dimension of Urban Climate Governance

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Types of Climate Governance

�Top-down perspective dominates discussion (downloading of national, European legislation)

� bottom-up perspective also relevant (uploading and downloading)

�Horizontal dimension, best-practice transfer, cross-loading

� Knowledge transfer and learning between and among cities

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Vertical Climate Governance

Can take different forms�Direct lobbying in Brussels �Financial incentives (EU projects)�Direct cooperation between cities/regions and

EU, consultation and collaboration� Europe offers new opportunities

■

■From the initiative of:

EU Covenant of Mayors

(6/2012)

4,082 signatories

164,455,598 inhabitants

1,536 SEAPs submitted

289 SEAPs accepted

31 signatories suspended

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Horizontal Climate Governance

�Horizontal perspective, direct relations between cities/regions

�Does not depend on the direct influence of International or European institutions

�Exchange of experience and transfer of ‘best practice’ �Emergence of a foreign policy and para-diplomacy of

cities/regions�Three types of transnational networking:

(i) Bilateral twinning; (ii) project networks (EU financed); (iii) transnational networks;

Membership in transnational city networks in the area of climate change policy

Climate Alliance ICLEI / CCP Energy Cities

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� Characteristics of city networks� Cities decide autonomously to join or leave a network

� Form of self-regulation

� Decisions are implemented directly by members

� Networks pursue two main goals � Representation of their members’ interests

� Exchange of experience and transnational learning

Transnational City Networks

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Internal governing: Three forms

� Information and communication

� Project cooperation and project funding

� Recognition, benchmarking, and certification

Transnational City Networks

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External governing: Three Forms� Influence (governmental institutions) � Interdependence (non-governmental

institutions)� Intermediation (local networks)

Transnational City Networks

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Conclusions

Knowledge transfer and learning within cities� depends on modes of governance (self-governing, governing

through enabling, governing by provision; city as planner and regulator)

� Depends on individual, organizational, and learning within networks

� Transferability of pilot projects within cities?Knowledge transfer between and among cities� Vertical and horizontal climate governance as basis for

knowledge transfer and learning; � Bilateral networks; projects networks, and city networks as

basis for knowledge transfer and learning � Knowledge transfer and learning as a privilege of pioneers;

development of a cluster of Europeanized and globalized cities