evaluate, and adapt plans, programs, projects, and policies that deliver sustainability outcomes
locally and globally. A significant lack of capacity is evidenced in the slow progress towards
sustainability in the majority of cities around the world, in contrast to major sustainability
accomplishments in pioneering cities, such as Totnes, Copenhagen, Freiburg, Singapore,
Melbourne, and Portland.
By providing training opportunities and facilitating joint learning for staff and leadership in
select cities across the globe (based on established practices), this GCSO cluster helps advance
the sustainability of regional economies, communities, and environments, while also creating a
context-sensitive typology of best practices for all cities to make progress towards sustainability.