The Resilient Cities Network (R-Cities) and Shell City Solutions are today announcing the launch of the Resilient Energy and Mobility Transition Program. R-Cities and Shell will form collaborative platforms to allow for the exchange of technical assistance, energy and mobility expertise, and global city best practices to develop transition plans and accelerate investment in at least three cities across North America and Europe.
Teams from selected cities drawn from the Resilient Cities Network, whose proposals are successful, will work with a group of experts over the next several months to identify appropriate strategies for their cities’ specific challenges and co-develop innovative solutions. R-Cities will guide selected cities through the project preparation phase to help choose and prepare projects for implementation to address the energy transition and realize co-benefits necessary to build overall city resilience. With further support from Shell, the said cities will then bring these ideas to life: testing, enhancing, and scaling up these projects to accelerate their energy transition strategies toward making their cities more resilient and inclusive.
“We are at a moment where traditional energy resource companies are under intense scrutiny to change. Over time these companies have benefited tremendously in their efforts to meet the ever-increasing global demands put forward in economies around the world. We all know it is now time to invest in a more sustainable future,” said Lauren Sorkin, Executive Director, Resilient Cities Network remarking on the partnership. “At the Resilient Cities Network we are pleased to be partnering with Shell, a company that is at the forefront of this nexus of transition in traditional supply and demand. Cities offer the greatest opportunity for addressing the challenges ahead. Cities concentrate risk, as well as help catapult innovation two factors necessary for crafting the solutions to the climate and energy crises on the horizon.”
“Cities are the beating heart of business, commerce, trade and society. As cities grow, the need to make cities more resilient while navigating the energy transition becomes increasingly important,” emphasized Emily Tan, General Manager, Shell City Solutions. “Shell City Solutions is pleased to partner with the Resilient Cities Network, which has a wealth of experience and research to improve resilience in cities. Together we are proud to launch the Resilient Energy and Mobility Transition Program, which provides a collaborative platform to accelerate cities transitioning towards decarbonisation and resilience. Every city is unique, and it is through collaboration that we can innovate and deliver integrated solutions to make cities sustainable for the future.”
Mayor Sylvester Turner, Chair Resilient Cities Network Board commented on the partnership, “In Houston, we trust Shell’s commitments to support cities navigating the energy transition. Shell is a company that takes its role in our shared future very seriously.” The Mayor of Houston went on to say, “Since 2018, Shell has invested in building Houston’s long-term resilience, having underwritten Resilient Houston, our long-term strategy to, among other things, mitigate flooding risk and improve our city’s climate readiness. As Chair of the Resilient Cities Network Board, I’m pleased to see this partnership advanced. R-Cities’ work is essential to delivering the safe, equitable, sustainable future that all people worldwide deserve. The commitment of energy providers to this mission will have accelerating effects.”
The Resilient Energy and Mobility Transition Program was officially launched at the World Cities Summit 2021 – Liveable and Sustainable Cities: Adapting to a Disrupted World. Both Lauren Sorkin, Executive Director Resilient Cities Network and Emily Tan, General Manager Shell City Solutions, were part of a panel discussion where they elaborated on how to support cities in navigating through the energy transition, together with panelists from the OECD and the City of Rotterdam.
ABOUT THE RESILIENT ENERGY AND MOBILITY TRANSITION PROGRAM
The program aims to support cities in managing resilient energy and mobility transition. It will create collaborative platforms that accelerate cities’ efforts towards decarbonization and urban resilience. Cities and solution providers, from the private sector, will work together to co-develop solutions and investment opportunities that can be scaled up. The program is expected to run from June 2021 to May 2022 with city selection process taking place between July and September 2021.
For more information on the program, including how your city can be involved visit:
www.resilientcitiesnetwork.org/programs/energy-transition
ABOUT RESILIENT CITIES NETWORK
Resilient Cities Network is a global city-led non-profit organization that brings together knowledge, practice, partnerships, and funding to empower cities to help them build a safe, equitable, and sustainable future for all. The Network integrates the combined effort of urban practitioners, city governments, and communities in a collective, comprehensive, and well-coordinated call-to-action to deliver urban impact-driven resilience solutions.
www.resilientcitiesnetwork.org
ABOUT SHELL CITY SOLUTIONS
Shell City Solutions forms part of Shell Renewables & Energy Solutions business which is focused on building a lower-carbon power business. Shell City Solutions aims to help government, industry and society navigate the energy transition through integrated urban solutions. Its three main areas are mobility, energy and the environment. Shell City Solutions takes a holistic view of stakeholders’ needs, drawing on Shell’s global expertise and extensive partner network to seamlessly implement and deploy the best solutions.
