Eco-neighbourhoods of the future: can the G20 improve approaches to sustainable urban living?

UN-Habitat estimates that a staggering three billion people will require adequate housing by 2030. Despite the enormity and longevity of this crisis, the 2024 Rio G20 Summit was the first time the forum aimed to prioritise housing issues. Whilst this is a step forward for addressing housing shortages, it is also important to consider the long-term adaptability of new and existing neighbourhoods to climate change. This brief investigates how global housing needs can be met whilst ensuring environmental sustainability and preparing for climate futures. It identifies three key broad policy initiatives to ensure both the proliferation of quality housing and the longevity of urban areas: ‘Sponge Cities’ projects; post-neoliberal housing solutions; and walkable cities.

Combining sustainable planning schemes with post-neoliberal housing policies will reduce emissions, improve accessibility, reduce local impacts of climate change, and expand access to adequate housing. G20 countries must take a leading role across these issues as their combined financial strength, political capital, and global reach would be required for such sweeping changes. They must consider the successes and failures of fellow member states, including Brazil, in order to adapt policy to individual economic, social, and environmental ideas.

Watch the introduction video and download the full brief below.