Many of the challenges cities currently face can be overcome through collaboration and cooperation with other actors. This is the mantra of the new City Solutions Platform (CSP), a joint effort by C40, the Danish cleantech cluster CLEAN, and the International Cleantech Network (ICN) to support early engagement between cities and the private sector to accelerate the deployment of innovative climate solutions.
The CSP will create a global platform where C40 cities can seek solutions to their challenges in partnership with both local companies and companies from a global network of cleantech clusters. The CSP will run for a period of 2 years (up to December 2017) and is made possible by the generous support of Realdania and industry partners Danfoss, Hitatchi, and RTI.
The initiative was first launched in December 2015 at the COP21 side event: Copenhagen and Vancouver – Collaboration with the private sector for urban climate actions, where Mayor of Vancouver Gregor Robertson and Lord Mayor of Copenhagen Frank Jensen discussed the importance of city-private sector collaboration.
Copenhagen Lord Mayor Frank Jensen (far right) and Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson (speaking) launching the platform at COP21 in Paris, December 2015.
The City of Copenhagen, having collaborated with CLEAN on a previous Big Data Challenge project, will act as an observer city for the CSP, providing valuable insights into public-private collaborations.
"Like many cities across the world, Copenhagen faces a vast number of environmental challenges. In order to meet these challenges, we need to engage in active partnerships with the private sector,” said Copenhagen Lord Mayor Frank Jensen. “We need room for new and innovative solutions and freedom to approach our challenges differently. The City Solutions Platform creates such room."
Join the global City Solutions Platform now through August 1st
C40 is now seeking expression of interest from cities to participate in the project. C40 cities will receive a formal invitation to apply to the project and Expression of Interest form that consists of a number of questions with the aim of clarifying the city challenge, political commitment and related aspects for further evaluation.
In the EOI form, cities are asked to define a concrete challenge in one of the following topic areas: Adaptation and Water, Solid Waste Management, Transportation, Energy, Urban Planning and Development. 4-6 cities will be selected to participate in the initial pilot stage of the project.
Selected cities will benefit from:
- Process facilitation and resources provided by C40, CLEAN and ICN;
- Co-creation activities that lead to a more informed tender process;
- The development of tailored and innovative solutions to pressing city challenges;
- City-specific C40 activities with solution providers e.g., workshops, hackathons and pitch events;
- The formation of new partnerships with leading solution providers;
- Visibility as a frontrunner in innovative climate solutions across the global C40 network, communication channels and events.
For more information on the City Solutions Platform and how to apply, please contact Monica Ridgway, Network Manager, Green Growth, at mridgway@c40.org.