Page 10 - Guidelines for cities to achieve carbon Net Zero through digital transformation

Executive summary

The objective of these Guidelines is to provide practical guidance on city digital transformation to
achieve carbon Net Zero. These guidelines illustrate actionable recommendations to reduce their
carbon footprint through the use of digital technologies.

These Guidelines build on the publication titled “Methodology to assess Net Zero progress in cities”,
which was also developed within the United for Smart Sustainable Cities Initiative (U4SSC).

While the methodology provided a thorough and valuable review of the current state of knowledge
on Net Zero cities and potential areas for innovation, the Guidelines, through its case studies,
demonstrate how cities are approaching their journey to achieve Net Zero.

The case studies from diverse geographical regions demonstrate the use of various digital
technologies in key areas such as smart transportation, EV sharing, smart lighting, e-governance,
smart waste management and recycling and more.

The Guidelines also provide concrete steps for cities to establish carbon neutrality and achieve
a successful digital transformation. The Guidelines also put emphasis on the need for digital
technologies to enhance efficiency in several areas including leveraging green ICTs for city
economic growth and also transforming citizen behaviour.

Overall, the Guidelines for City Digital Transformation to Achieve Carbon Net Zero is a valuable
resource for policymakers, city planners and other city stakeholders seeking to leverage digital
technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve a Net Zero future.

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