Urbi-GES: An interdisciplinary initiative supporting local climate action
Led by Université Laval, Votepour.ca, and Futur Simple, and in partnership with the City of Quebec and the regional county municipality of Rimouski-Neigette, Urbi-GES aims to better understand what drives or hinders climate action at the local level, with the goal of transforming municipalities into true catalysts for change.
Municipalities facing tomorrow’s climate challenges
By 2050, 70% of the world’s population will live in urban areas. Municipalities are therefore on the front lines in the fight against the causes and consequences of climate change, a critical issue for the decades to come. While they often have emissions inventories and technical plans, they have few tools to help them integrate the social dimension into their climate action plans.
Without adapting to local realities, proposed climate measures risk meeting with resistance, and proving ineffective. For sustainable change, actions must be comprehensible, perceived as fair, and truly tailored to the capacities and contexts of communities.
When science, the public and municipalities come together to take action
The Urbi-GES initiative is part of an interdisciplinary and participatory research effort. Bringing together experts from diverse fields such as geomatics, psychology, social marketing, computer science, and forestry, it engages in an open dialogue with members of civil society and decision-makers to co-create knowledge and practical tools.
Urbi-GES is strengthening local climate action by supporting municipalities in developing and implementing tailored, socially accepted measures, helping households transition to low-carbon lifestyles, and measuring their impact on GHG emissions.
Results that pave the way for a sustainable future
Surveys conducted in various regions reveal that, although a majority of respondents believe they are taking positive action for the climate, significant efforts—such as reducing car use or cutting back on meat consumption—remain largely unadopted. This research and these surveys will fuel an ongoing, evidence-based discussion to better identify key areas for action.
Urbi-GES is laying the groundwork for a collective approach to the climate transition. By better understanding public behaviors, municipalities are better prepared to act effectively. Thanks to this collaborative effort, they have the tools and knowledge to drive sustainable change at the local level, with global-reaching impacts.
This project is supported by the Climate Action and Awareness Fund (CAAF) of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).
