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At the height of the Roman Empire, Rome's water management infrastructure was the envy of civilizations the world over. Today, while the city still enjoys abundant high-quality water sources, rainstorms of increasing intensity cause flooding that can hinder the city's ability to function. Exploring holistic, systems-based approaches to urban water challenges is an essential component of Resilient Rome's strategy process.

California's new environmental rules, which will mean much tougher efficiency standards for buildings and greater use of renewable energy, are good news for the state's businesses, some experts say. Many large new-energy and infrastructure projects will be needed to meet the mandates, and that means money and jobs. "The most important thing the businesses need is a market signal," said Steve Chadima, director of California initiatives for Advanced Energy Economy

Cities could save a collective $22 trillion and vastly reduce global emissions by embracing green building, better infrastructure and other environmental measures, researchers say. "Becoming more sustainable and putting the world -- specifically cities -- on a low-carbon trajectory is actually feasible and good economics," said Seth Schultz, a researcher for the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. 

For Dow, this natural treatment decision in Seadrift led to some $39 million in initial capital savings and ultimately translated into some $282 million of Net Present Value benefits and counting.

I:CO launched its first ever I:CO City initiative with the city of San Francisco earlier this year. The launch creates a public, private and nonprofit infrastructure to make it convenient and rewarding for residents and businesses to recycle textile related items. In alignment with San Francisco's goal of zero waste by 2020, I:CO will serve as the lead textile collection and processing partner to divert waste from landfill and give it new life.

Amazon Web Services says it will source 100 percent renewable energy for its global infrastructure. The company doesn't give a timeframe for achieving this goal. Read more: http://www.environmentalleader.com/2014/11/21/amazon-commits-to-100-renewable-energy/#ixzz3LXdAxhVd

This new scenario modeling system helps planners in Latin America and the Caribbean make more informed infrastructure investments.

the Closed Loop Fund, a budding $100 million effort by a group of large companies to invest in recycling infrastructure and, in the process, put more recycled materials into manufacturing supply chains. Along the way, it aims to give a boost to recycling in the United States at a time when rates are leveling off but the demand for recycled feedstocks is picking up.

A $10-per-barrel tax on oil companies will be part of the Obama administration's budget proposal for fiscal 2017. Proceeds would fund alternative transportation and infrastructure. Congress is not expected to include the measure in spending legislation. The proposal is significant, however, because it reflects Obama's increased focus on climate change.

As the opening of the United Nations Conference on climate change starts today at the Bourget, we turn to see the commitment of Disneyland® Paris in favour of the energy transition. David Courvoisier, Director Infrastructures and Buildings, believes it is twofold: to reduce energy consumption and reduce the use of fuel.

We are on the cusp of a new growth era, one where growth is driven by the interaction between rapid technological innovation, sustainable infrastructure investment and increased resource productivity. Ambitious climate action across key economic systems-energy, cities, food and land use, water and industry-can lead to higher productivity, more resilient economies and greater social inclusion. It is the growth story of the 21st century.

The Mission 2020 campaign defines six milestones -in energy, transport, land use, industry, infrastructure and finance - that give governments and industries a clear roadmap to put us on a path towards achieving 1.5 degrees C. In a working paper published today, WRI found progress in some areas, but we'll need faster action in order to achieve the 2020 turning point.

P&G has pledged to embrace recycling and reclamation processes for about 5 billion liters of the water it uses annually for manufacturing, which amounts to about 10 percent of current consumption. The company is also ramping up its plans to tackle another area for which there are few solutions today: developing and scaling the recycling infrastructure for soiled disposable baby diapers, feminine sanitary napkins and adult incontinence napkins.

On Day Zero, about three months from now, Cape Town will shut off its spigots, an almost unfathomable step for a major city of 4 million people. And it might presage something bleaker for other regions that are grappling with the challenges of strained infrastructure and the effects of rising temperatures.