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Elana Chesler examines why the holistic approach of place-based sustainability is attracting attention

What is place-based sustainability?

Place-based sustainability is multidisciplinary. It describes a holistic approach to deliver sustainable transition and transformation in a specific locale.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC) all recognise that local implementation is key to achieving national and international climate goals.

Taking a place-based approach to sustainability means leveraging the transition to a green economy (funnelling international, national or sector knowledge) to support standard place-based outcomes (such as health benefits, social and economic outcomes) to secure positive benefits not just for local communities but also for nature and the environment.

When done properly, place-based sustainability brings together financiers, environmental and social sustainability practitioners, policymakers, government professionals and industry sector experts such as those from energy, agriculture, transport and so forth. By using ‘place’ to convene the wider public, third and private sectors, a cohesive and system-wide approach can be deployed, addressing potential and actual market failure, enabling investment and representing value for money.[i][ii]

Place-based approaches to financing and delivering public services are well established in the OECD,[iii] and recent political changes in the UK have provided a renewed focus on ensuring that devolved powers adequately underpin place-based action. Impact investors are increasingly interested in place-based impact investment[iv]. And while stable national and international political leadership and policy form the basis for progress[v], many local climate partnerships have emerged to deliver climate outcomes. In the UK, these have been detailed by the Place-Based Climate Action Network (PCAN)[vi]. Globally, there are several place-based programmes to deliver sustainability, such as the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group – a group of 96 cities globally, representing one-twelfth of the world’s population and making up more than 22% of the global economy[vii] – and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, which works with 2,500-plus local and regional governments.

A place-based approach can be used to support a wide-range of enterprises to become more sustainable. Recent results from the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) and South Yorkshire Sustainability Centre, looking at five diverse UK places and sectors, resulted in the identification of principles for place-based net-zero policy for small and medium-sized enterprises [viii]. The principles include “situating place-based approaches within a wider landscape of (for example) sector-level, national and international governance”; “systemic solutions, ensuring that SMEs are included as stakeholders within wider place-based decarbonisation programmes”; and “whole-place, shared solutions at sub-local levels, such as high streets or business parks”.

Case studies

Considering place-based sustainability successes like Freiburg, Germany, and Curitiba, Brazil, provides important lessons. These very different cities pioneered large-scale, innovative eco-solutions.

Freiburg, Germany: a green city model (population: 236,000, 153.04km2 )[ix]

Freiburg, often referred to as Germany's green city, has been governed by the Alliance 90-The Greens party for over two decades. Political support and stability were key to delivering sustainability infrastructure and outcomes and stakeholder engagement.

  • Energy: in June 1995, Freiburg city council imposed Germany's strictest building energy standards, permitting construction of only low-energy buildings on municipal land. Since then, Freiburg has made significant investments in solar energy, with whole neighbourhoods equipped with solar panels, reducing the city’s carbon footprint and promoting energy independence. In 2017, it built its City Hall, the world’s first public energy-plus building, which produces more energy from renewable energy sources than it imports from external sources and puts energy back into the grid.
  • Transport: Freiburg implemented eco-friendly transportation systems, including extensive cycling paths and efficient public transit, reducing reliance on cars. The majority of journeys are made via active or public transport[x].
  • Environmental decision-making: Freiburg's environmental choices are backed by strong community input and grassroots involvement, promoting resident engagement and dedication to its sustainability efforts.

Curitiba, Brazil: sustainable urban mobility (population: 1.7 million, 430.9km2)

Curitiba is the capital and largest city in the state of Paraná in Southern Brazil. It is renowned for its innovative approach to urban mobility and sustainable city planning. It was the beneficiary of stable political leadership in architect and urban planner Jaime Lerner (1937-2021), who held three terms as city mayor and two terms as state governor[xi].

  • Efficient public transportation: Curitiba’s bus rapid transit (BRT) system was a global first and a benchmark for efficient public transportation. The system was designed to be accessible, affordable and reliable, significantly reducing traffic congestion and pollution.
  • Green spaces: the city integrated parks and green areas into its urban landscape, with almost 60m2 of green space per resident (five times higher than the World Health Organization recommendation). These spaces provide recreational areas and serve as critical components of the city’s flood management system, absorbing rainwater, reducing the risk of flooding and encouraging biodiversity.
  • Social inclusion: Curitiba’s sustainability efforts focus on promoting social inclusion and economic opportunities. Curitiba houses the Free University for the Environment, which is designed for low-income citizens to learn about sustainability.
  • Recycling culture and infrastructure: the Green Exchange programme developed in 1989 allows residents to trade trash for tokens (4lbs of trash for 1lb of fresh produce). Curitiba recycles 70% of its garbage[xii].

So, what makes place-based sustainability work?

Delivering place-based environmental and social sustainability outcomes requires an understanding of the interaction of natural and human systems as they intersect in a specific locus. Success factors include:

  • Consideration of environmental and socio-economic conditions: effective place-based sustainability strategies are designed to complement specific environmental and socio-economic conditions. This requires an understanding of the local climate, ecosystem, economic activities and social dynamics.
  • Use of local natural and human resources: existing technical, industrial or service-based skills or indigenous knowledge can be deployed to deliver green economy goods, services and environmental management[xiii].
  • Engagement of local communities: in the long term, local community involvement is key, ranging from public consultation and input to grassroots action and aligning local skills with green jobs.

Place-based sustainability presents a compelling blueprint for environmental success. How can your area’s distinct qualities help it thrive within and enhance the green economy?

Elana Chesler, PIEMA, ChMC, MSc, is a sustainability professional writing in a personal capacity

References: 

[i] How local government can tackle the net-zero challenge - edie

[ii] Place-based investment offers lifeline to left-behind towns

[iii] Place-Based Impact Investing - The Good Economy

[iv] Section 1: What is place-based impact investing? | Impact Investing Institute

[v] Place-based climate action growing, but political leadership needed says PCAN report | Place Based Climate Action Network (pcancities.org.uk)

[vi] Place-based climate action growing, but political leadership needed says PCAN report | Place Based Climate Action Network (pcancities.org.uk)

[vii] C40 Cities - A global network of mayors taking urgent climate action

[viii] Seven Principles of Place-Based Net Zero Policy for SMEs: Briefing Paper.  Eadson, Will, Hampton, Sam, Sugar, Katherine et al. South Yorkshire Sustainability Centre & UK Energy Research Centre, 2024.

[ix] Startseite - Green City Freiburg - www.freiburg.de/greencity -

[x] Freiburg – a transport tour de force | Sustainable NI

[xi] Jaime Lerner: A song of the city | TED Talk

[xii] https://www.greenmatters.com/p/curitiba-sustainable

[xiii] Cluster_effect_WEB.pdf (green-alliance.org.uk)