Ramboll has developed a digital tool designed to enable city planners to better measure the impacts of flooding and urban heat using nature-based solutions, in support of the UNEP-led ‘Beat the Heat’ initiative.
Ramboll joined the Beat the Heat initiative, which was developed to assist cities with tackling the growing threat of extreme urban heat, at COP30. A joint initiative of the COP30 Presidency and the UNEP’s Cool Coalition, Beat the Heat seeks to operationalise the Global Cooling Pledge, a commitment to reduce cooling-related emissions by 68% and expand access to sustainable cooling by 2050.
Ramboll’s digital tool differs from traditional models in that it integrates multiple data streams to provide real-time projections of climate adaptation measures, while it can be applied as effectively to data-rich cities in Europe and North America, as it can to emerging economies where data is sometimes scarce.
‘A convincing business case’
“We want to help cities make a convincing business case for climate adaptation, specifically those leaning on nature-based solutions,” commented Christian Nyerup Nielsen, global division director for climate resilience at Ramboll. “When you show a clear vision for climate adaptation at urban scale, combined with a strong business case, then you have a greater chance of attracting investment into nature-based solutions.”
The tool is funded by a grant of DKK 1.18 million by the Ramboll Foundation, following a separate DKK 1.7 million investment to fund the research behind its development.
Ramboll is confident that by enabling real time calculations and impact measurement, the tool will help stakeholders gain a fuller picture of the changes they want to see at urban scale, which, in turn, could help accelerate investment.
Cooling solutions
“Beat the Heat brings cooling solutions to where they’re needed most – protecting lives, livelihoods, and the liveability of cities as temperatures rise,” added Lily Riahi, head of the Cool Coalition Secretariat, UNEP.
“Through practical steps like heat assessments, passive cooling, and sustainable procurement, cities are taking action – and together with partners we’re helping them make it happen.” Read more here.
