At EIT Climate-KIC, the orchestrator of the global Climathon movement, we envision a prosperous, inclusive and climate-resilient society founded on a net zero-carbon and circular economy. This is a new climate-conscious economy, where finance flows to green projects and activities, and where motivated people are empowered with the skills and capacity they need to take action.
‘Innovation-as-usual’ – typically siloed and focused on ‘supplying’ the market with technology-led solutions – is not delivering the change we need.
Getting real about a net zero-carbon and circular economy means that nations around the world will need to carve out ambitious pathways along the safest – most ambitious – possible courses outlined in the latest IPCC Special Reports - using systems innovation as a key tool to catalyse change in cities.
Guided by the Paris Agreement, our advisors and our community, we have identified cities as one of the major systems, where, if change were triggered wholesale and emissions reduced, would have the most potential in realising a climate-resilient society and net-zero carbon economy.
Cities already consume over 65% of the world’s energy and account for more than 70% of global CO2 emissions. Therefore, to overcome the complex challenges of climate change relies heavily on urban action.
Addressing the climate crisis is indeed about changing the way we live and the ways our economic systems work, it’s about shifting our finance to integrate a long-term view, and about building hope – and excitement – for a desirable future that is compatible with our planetary boundaries.
At EIT Climate-KIC, we see the systemic transformation we aim for as a collaborative endeavour, and the principles of co-creation and interdisciplinary action are essential to its success, especially at a time of social fragmentation and division.
We invite you to learn more about EIT Climate-KICs approach to systems change by exploring the below resources:
EIT Climate-KICs Strategy - “Transformation in Time”
https://youtube.com/watch?v=9mWP7Haabk0&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE
TEDx talk by CEO of EIT Climate-KIC, Dr. Kirsten Dunlop - “Innovation as if the future mattered”
EIT Climate-KICs call to action - “#SystemsChangeNOW”