Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Culture

Social Achievements

• Developed a new cultural heritage sector in Johannesburg to tell South Africa’s story more honestly and build social cohesion; efforts to increase participation and grow audiences in Johannesburg; meaningful recognition of indigenous culture in Sydney; efforts to spread access to cultural services to the peripheries of Istanbul; cultural activities considered a vital part of education in London; culture as a priority area for economic development in Paris; culture seen as a source of social harmony and stability in Shanghai amidst rapid change.

Governance Achievements

• Unprecedented global collaboration among 12 world cities to examine the character and importance of culture in world cities; establishment of a World Cities Culture Forum to provide a more permanent basis for international policy exchange and debate.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Balancing modernity and tradition; maintaining a sense of the local and specific in a globalised world; linking cultural infrastructure and participation; budgetary pressures in New York and London; low cultural consumption and underused libraries in Istanbul; high rates of under-employment and unemployment in Johannesburg; ageing population and lack of diversity in Shanghai; challenges of affordability of space for artists in Sydney.

Mitigation Strategies

• Public/private partnerships; emphasis on culture’s role as a force of renewal (physical and spiritual); promotion of festivals and events; development of cultural infrastructure in underserved areas; maximising the potential of cultural tourism; developing a more balanced cultural offer and participation across the whole city; strategic investment in cultural facilities and programmes; cultivating human resources; reconciling planning-driven approach with the need to allow new forms of cultural activity to develop.

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: UNESCO

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Social Equity
• Environmental Sustainability
• Cultural Development

Environmental Achievements

• Taipei Biennial's initiative to achieve net-zero emissions before 2024 through tree planting and carbon absorption improvements.
• Milan's 'The Trees Library' project supporting urban green space regeneration and highlighting environmental sustainability.
• Numerous cities (62%) undertaking cross-department initiatives between culture and environment teams.

Social Achievements

• Numerous city initiatives to support artists and cultural workers during the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., San Francisco's Guaranteed Income for Artists, Paris's €10 million Live Performance Emergency Fund).
• Helsinki's Culture Kids program connecting children with cultural institutions.
• Various programs focusing on inclusive cultural access for diverse communities (e.g., Los Angeles's Artist Workforce Empowerment Grant Program, Istanbul’s Together Stronger Voices Choir I).

Governance Achievements

• Many cities reassessing processes and assumptions to support more equitable outcomes (e.g., New York’s Cultural Development Fund Reforms).

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• COVID-19 pandemic's impact on cultural participation, output, and infrastructure.
• Existing inequalities worsened by the pandemic.
• Urgent need for cities to transition to environmental sustainability.
• Fragile working conditions for artists and freelancers.
• Siloed approach to governance limiting effective responses to complex challenges.

Mitigation Strategies

• Cities responded with various funding models, direct employment, and advocacy.
• Initiatives to support artists and cultural workers (see Key Achievements).
• Adoption of mission-based urban policy focusing on people, place, and planet.
• Emphasis on cross-departmental collaboration.
• Increased focus on digital tools and best practices.

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Culture
• Creative Economy
• Sustainable Development
• Economic Equality
• Job Creation
• Community Development
• Governance

Social Achievements

• Launched research on cultural policy and creative networks across 11 African cities, bringing together new generation and intergenerational wisdoms.
• Facilitated connections and deepened engagement with leaders in the region through extensive surveys, interviews and regional roundtables.
• Held a public online dialogue with key leaders in the region, attended by over 200 people from over 90 different cities worldwide.

Governance Achievements

• Identified key data and perspectives about cultural policy and creative networks across 11 African cities.
• Developed recommendations for a regional city network and programme based on research findings and stakeholder input.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Lack of comprehensive cultural policies in many cities.
• Limited support for policy implementation.
• Economic inequality and poverty.
• Governance and institutional challenges.
• Limited digital access and skills development.
• Silo mentality and lack of collaboration.
• Rapid urbanization.
• Lack of understanding of the role and potential of culture.
• Inadequate funding models.
• Power imbalances in funding partnerships.
• Opposing policies between city and state.
• Limited data and evidence-based policymaking.
• Legacy of colonialism shaping cultural landscapes.

Mitigation Strategies

• Advocating for data-driven policymaking and the use of the Creative Vibrancy Index for Africa.
• Promoting Afrocentric knowledge creation and the inclusion of indigenous knowledge.
• Developing explicit cultural policies and dedicated cultural departments.
• Building networks for collaboration and peer learning.
• Addressing power relations in funding partnerships.
• Identifying main drivers of cultural policies for needs-led policy creation.
• Developing a funded African Fellowship programme for African capitals to join the World Cities Culture Forum.

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The research and recommendations aim to contribute to sustainable urban development, job creation, economic growth, reduced inequalities, and international collaboration.

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Youth Engagement
• Cultural Development
• Sustainable Cities
• Social Inclusion
• Civic Engagement

Environmental Achievements

• Not disclosed

Social Achievements

• Launched Culture Pass program in Buenos Aires, providing cultural access to 10,000 young people.
• Organized Dakar en Jeux, an arts and sports festival engaging thousands of young people.
• Held Dubai Youth Retreat, generating policy recommendations for sustainable development.
• Implemented 'Culture Kids' program in Helsinki, pairing every newborn with a cultural institution.
• Created a Children's Manifesto for Arts Funding in Hamburg, addressing young people's concerns.
• Developed a Youth Charter in London, improving public space design for young people.
• Expanded arts education in Los Angeles, reaching one million young people annually.
• Implemented SESC program in São Paulo, fostering intergenerational engagement.
• Launched 'Welcome Youth 2024' in Tokyo, providing free access to cultural events.
• Developed a municipal strategy in Vienna based on young people's input.

Governance Achievements

• Established Dubai Youth Council and Dubai Culture Youth Council, empowering youth participation in governance.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Declining civic engagement among young people.
• Young people feeling alienated from traditional institutions.
• Economic uncertainty and job competition for young people.
• Mental health challenges among young people.
• Climate crisis and its consequences.
• Uneven demographic change and migration patterns.
• Need for new skills in a changing economy.
• Lack of trust in governments and institutions.

Mitigation Strategies

• Using arts and culture to bridge the gap between young people and institutions.
• Developing youth councils and participatory initiatives.
• Implementing programs promoting mental and physical health.
• Focusing on social prescribing and non-clinical solutions.
• Creating opportunities for youth leadership and participation in policy-making.
• Investing in education and skills development.
• Promoting responsible consumerism and brand trust.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Not disclosed

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Null

Certifications: Null

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 4 (Quality Education)
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

The initiatives described contribute to these goals by promoting youth empowerment, access to culture and education, sustainable urban development, and inclusive participation.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Not disclosed

Awards & Recognition

• Not disclosed