Delivering net zero in our towns and cities

Cities represent 70% of global emissions and must play a decisive role in mitigating the climate crisis. At the same time, cities are on the frontline of the climate emergency’s physical impacts, leaving urban communities increasingly vulnerable to the changing climate.

The Net Zero Cities Team at WSP works with clients across the world to provide evidence-based net zero strategies that enable towns, cities and regions to meet their ambitious climate targets and ensure a just transition.

Our service offering brings together decarbonisation pathways, climate resilience plans and climate finance expertise, providing action-oriented support to cities, towns, and regions delivering on their net zero ambitions.

Our essays on net zero towns and cities:

How can local authorities manage traffic-caused air pollution?

Air pollution is a key source of emissions and a growing threat to public health. This article explores what local authorities can do to improve local air quality.

Solar PV – An Essential Technology for Net Zero

Net Zero targets for cities, local government and regions of the UK all rely on the continuing deployment of solar PV. This article explores the opportunities and feasibility of installing rooftop solar PV.

20-min neighbourhoods: Opportunities and challenges for local authorities

Decentralising cities; what is the 20-minute neighbourhood?

How can cities use Nature-based Solutions to tackle urban flooding?

Global cities, flooding and climate change

Smart Cities and Net Zero

Cities always manage complexity, but global cities now must urgently integrate climate action into almost everything they do.

How should towns and cities approach local area energy plans?

WSP explore the impact of LAEPs in three testbed areas and whether model should be replicated across the UK

Partnerships: What role will community energy play in local climate action plans?

WSP’s Jamie Baxter and Community Energy London’s Syed Ahmed explore public participation and the role of community energy groups in net zero cities.

Finance: How can we mobilise and mainstream climate finance to deliver net zero towns and cities?

WSP, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and University of Oxford consider mobilising and mainstreaming climate finance for net zero cities.

Innovation: Our urban areas must take a systems innovation approach to climate action

WSP and Climate-KIC UK & Ireland examine whole system innovation as part of delivering climate action in our towns and cities.

Governance: Our public realm is the perfect platform to embed net zero governance

WSP and the Place-Based Climate Action Network explore how we can govern sustainable places as part of our net zero transition.

Our experts on net zero in our towns and cities:

Our sustainability and climate change team is the go-to experts on climate change mitigation and adaption design and implementation within towns and cities. We support the delivery of high-quality projects for public and third sector clients, developing strategic partnerships with relevant organisations and producing innovative thought leadership that demonstrates our knowledge and capabilities.

Milimer Morgado

Principal Consultant - Sustainability and Climate Change

United Kingdom

Jamie Baxter

Associate - Sustainability and Climate Change

United Kingdom

Lewis Barlow

Technical Director - Sustainability and Climate Change

United Kingdom