A practical guide to learning for decarbonisation at the city-level
8 April 2025
A new paper, published in Environmental Science and Policy, outlines a practical guide to learning for decarbonisation at the city-level. Authored by Harry Barton, Claire Hoolohan, Chris Jones, and Carly McLachlan.
This new study introduces a practical framework co-designed with the Greater Manchester Low-Carbon Team to support strategic decision-making, by helping cities identify and prioritise relevant learning opportunities from others with similar decarbonisation priorities. By doing so, it makes the process of selecting and implementing projects more targeted and efficient.
Using the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) as a case study, the paper demonstrates how cities can use this approach to refine their interventions in line with local climate ambitions. This structured method not only enhances local decision-making but also supports the development of structured city-to-city learning pathways, providing a foundation for more coordinated and informed climate action across urban areas.
The study speaks directly to the needs of local authorities working to pinpoint learning priorities for sustainability, streamline experimentation for accelerating city-level climate action. It formalises city-to-city learning for sustainability projects at the city-level, and supports a wider look at decarbonisation projects from around the world.