Reimagine the path

towards a greener future

for your city

www.apexcities.com
 90% of 70% of Poor infrastructure

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can reduce firm
Prioritizing on-the-ground issues faced by cities waste is unmanaged global GHG emissions productivity by
in low income are generated in cities
is crucial to reducing the impacts of climate change countries 40%
Cities are dynamic entities that are in a continuous state of flux. With more than half the global population
residing in urban areas – a share that will rise over the next 30 years – there is no better time than the
present for city governments to reassess their green goals.
Rapid urbanization calls for timely action on key issues, such as air pollution, congestion, energy access,
water, waste management, and others, for cities to transition to low-carbon and resource-efficient growth
pathways. To that end, it is equally imperative to identify specific requirements and to customize solutions
based on geography, weather, population density, and other local conditions.
Now, more than ever, in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis, rebuilding a city’s
capacity to adapt and thrive despite chronic risks and acute shocks will be a high priority for stakeholders
committed to a shared vision to revitalize their city and improve the quality of life for citizens.

2.5 billion people Urban air pollution

50% increase
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reduces GDP by
will be added to cities in urban water demand
by 2050 5% in emerging is expected by 2050
markets

4. World Bank 2018, What a Waste Report, 5. UNFCCC 2020, Urban Climate Action Is Crucial to Bend the Emissions Curve, 6. UN 2015, SDG 9: Industry,
Innovation And Infrastructure.

The benefits of upgrading to a Green City

are far-reaching

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Better planning Attract financing Green jobs Boost local pride Global visibility
helps to focus on through blue, green help earn the by prioritizing as your city stands
the right problems or sustainability- goodwill of local sustainable alongside other
at the right time, linked loans or residents by creating measures that future-ready,
which translates bonds to fund low work opportunities, will improve the climate-smart cities,
into smarter carbon investments especially for well-being of citizens making it a desirable
allocation of and enhance those struggling and evoke a sense place to live, work,
precious resources. competitiveness. in the wake of the of awareness and and visit.
pandemic. community.
1. UN 2018, World Urbanization Prospects, 2. WE Forum 2020, The Economic Burden of Air Pollution, 3. World Bank 2017, Water Scarce Cities Initiative.
Committed to green goals, With APEX, you can champion
cities around the world have the case for Green Cities with
developed innovative solutions relevant, implementable, and
that fit their local contexts measurable outcomes
Evidence-based research gathered from global An innovation of IFC, APEX (Advanced Practices for
best practices can translate into a success story Environmental Excellence in Cities), which is supported by the
for your city too. Here are a few examples: APEX Online Application Tool, harnesses crucial insights from
advanced green practices from cities worldwide to show how
they could become viable solutions for your city.
Singapore: Vehicle Quota to Limit Cars Freiburg: Rooftop Solar for Distributed Generation APEX increases internal awareness of city-based climate policy
and planning solutions. It considers a city as a coherent whole,
prioritizing investments based on their impacts, thus avoiding
the error of equating cost to value.

Source: commons.wikimedia.org
By focusing on the outcomes of Green City actions, APEX helps
cities achieve maximum benefits from investments with the
Not A final Image appropriate accompanying policies and planning measures.

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To promote public transport and manage private transport Freiburg is leading Germany’s renewable energy revolution APEX Online Application Tool: key attributes and advantages
demand, car ownership is controlled through a vehicle through feed-in tariff benefits from utility companies.
quota system in Singapore.
APEX encompasses the most effective green APEX provides an investment planning tool
measures that cover planning, policy and for cities and local stakeholders.
Mexico City: Green Mortgages for Social Housing Windhoek: Recycling Wastewater for Drinking
investment options.
APEX presents results in terms of GHG
APEX has built-in calculations to give emissions, water security, energy use,
city-specific results for green measures. waste diversion, vehicle km traveled (VKT)
reduction, and investment costs.
APEX has contextual default data for

Source: www.veolia.com
resource use and municipal infrastructure APEX displays the co-benefits in terms of
for cities around the world, which can be cost savings, air quality improvements and
used directly or modified by users. job creation.

Mexico City’s green mortgages make green technologies Windhoek is setting a global benchmark by producing
accessible for low-income households. drinking water from wastewater to secure its water supply.

Jakarta: Green Building Code San Francisco: Zero Waste to Landfill or Incineration

Not A final Image

Jakarta’s building code and green building roadmap will San Francisco has implemented innovative methods
help Indonesia achieve its Nationally Determined towards its zero waste committment by reducing solid
Contributions of a 29% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030. waste generation and minimizing disposal to landfill
or incineration.
More than just a tool, Green City Action Plan: a comprehensive roadmap
to support green recovery
the APEX offering also
• Based on the insights gathered through the APEX Online App, the APEX team will develop a Green City
includes the development Action Plan to recommend how identified projects and policy interventions can be implemented.

of a Green City Action Plan • A Green City Action Plan will not only estimate required investment volumes, it will also seek to phase
projects and propose how identified projects can be financed.

The APEX Online Application Tool uses locally

• The development of a Green City Action Plan will be contingent on local ownership and support
together with guidance and expertise provided by IFC.
gathered and embedded peer data to estimate a
city’s environmental footprint across four key sectors:
built environment & energy, transportation, waste If your city already has a Climate Action Plan, IFC can propose
and water. It helps your city prioritize and accelerate
policy actions and investments that support the an investment opportunities diagnostic that will:
transition to a low-carbon and resource-efficient
urban growth pathway.
• Evaluate the actions proposed in your existing Action Plan in terms of cost, payback periods,
and investment potential using the APEX Online App.
• Create a Green Investment Pipeline to explore additional sources of finance, such as private
finance, climate finance, or other business models.

A seven-step 1 Handshake 2 City Review 3 Optioneering 4 Prioritizing 5 Financing 6 Roadmap 7 Follow-up

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journey A preliminary APEX The APEX team and city The APEX team then The APEX team will help APEX Online App’s When the city team is in And finally, being
to realizing a Advisory Meeting helps team jointly review the works with the city fine-tune the most investment planning agreement with the online and accessible
to understand the city’s city’s default data departments’ sector cost-effective solutions capability will help recommendations and independently, the
shared vision drivers, barriers, and within the APEX Online leads to identify to meet the city’s green collate climate opportunities, the APEX city team will be able
green city ambitions, App and, if needed, investment projects goals. Collectively, investment options. team will develop a to track the city’s
which is followed by update it with the most and policy interventions these identified Cities can use this data Green City Action Plan performance over
the signing of an recent information. to plan scenarios and measures will help to identify a potential that will estimate time, including
engagement letter with compare to business- create a low-carbon Green Investment required investment through IFC ‘s
the Mayor’s office. as-usual. The APEX pathway to meet the Pipeline for future volumes, phase monitoring support.
Online App provides city’s GHG emissions climate investments projects, and propose
real-time data on the reduction targets. and possible funding how identified projects
potential impact and sources. can be financed.
cost for each measure.
$

?
+
=
CASE STUDY
Green Investment Pipeline with 10 Largest Direct Cost Measures
City of Ekurhuleni ....................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Size of each bubble corresponds to investment size in ZAR Million.
850
Area: 1,975 km²
Ekurhuleni
A Green Investment Pipeline was
Population: 3,774,638 (2019) developed based on direct costs to the Solar Power Program
650
municipality and its agencies (i.e., costs

GHG Savings (ktCO2 e/year)

Country: South Africa
GDP: US$ 82.6 billion falling within the City’s mandate). Waste-to-Energy Encourage

However, the City can leverage other 450 Energy

from
Energy Efficient
Streetlights and
Electric Vehicles
New Buses and
Landfill
funding sources for these investments,
Traffic Lights Priority Bus Lanes
Gas
Green
Municipal
including private sources of financing. 250 Buildings

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Green City actions can be supported by
Identifying the positive impact of proposed actions green finance. The 10 largest direct cost 50
Reuse of Treated
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measures have a climate investment Wastewater Composting

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Reduction in Water Losses
potential of over US$ 500 million.
24% The Ekurhuleni Green City 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 n/a

GHG Emissions Action Plan identifies 20+ ....................................................................................................................................................................................................

Payback Period (Years)
Savings
actions across the four APEX
15
Sectoral deep dive:
GHG Emissions per Year (Million tCO2e/year)

Business-As-Usual Forecast
sectors, showing that it is Pre Implementation Work Implementation

possible to achieve ambitious Built Environment & Energy

14
climate and resource goals Potential Funding Measure 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030

Payback Period (Years)

Sources

with complementary policies 1. PACE Financing for

Municipal/Utilities

FIs (DFIs, Banks)

Energy Efficiency
13
and investment actions. Refurbishment

Other Private
(ZAR Million)

(ZAR Million)
Direct Cost
Total Cost

National
2. Mandatory GB
Policies and investments work

Built Environment & Energy

Sector
Measure Requirements for

PPP
12 Target Trajectory Large
in tandem to maximize 1. PACE Financing for Developments
Energy Efficiency

Built Environment & Energy

3,950 15 3
benefits. Refurbishment
2. Mandatory GB
3. Green Municipal
11 Requirements for Large
Buildings
460 - 1
Developments
3. Green Municipal 4. Energy Efficient
720 720 15
Buildings Streetlights and
10
4. Energy Efficient Traffic Lights
Streetlights and Traffic 730 730 7
2022 2024 2026 2028 2030 Lights
5. Solar Power
5. Solar Power Program 22,000 100 9 Program
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“We had already worked closely with

Source: City of Ekurhuleni

25% Less 20% Less 65% Less 20% More stakeholders to develop a future vision for
Energy Use Private Travel Waste To Landfill Water Security our city, including developing a list of actions
to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to
• PACE Financing for • Encourage Electric • Composting • Reuse of Treated climate change. Using IFC’s APEX tool helped
Energy Efficiency Vehicles • Anaerobic Digestion Wastewater us quantify our vision—both in terms of
Refurbishment • Parking Restrictions • Reduction in
• Materials Recovery environmental impact and cost—and explore
• Mandatory Green • New Buses and Facility and Separated Unaccounted-for policies and investments to drive
Building Requirements Priority Bus Lanes Collection of Water Losses implementation. We now have a better
for Large Recyclables • Mandatory Water
• Integrated Payment understanding of what it will take to reach
Developments Efficient Fittings in
System and • Energy from our sustainability goals, and financing models
• Green Municipal Improvements for Landfill Gas New Buildings that could help us get there.”
Buildings Minibus Taxis • Upgrade Water Fittings
• Waste-to-Energy
• Energy Efficient in Existing Buildings
Streetlights and • Smart Water Meters
Traffic Lights
• Combined Heat and
• Solar Power Program Power from Is'haaq Akoon
Wastewater Biogas Senior Manager, Climate Change
at City of Ekurhuleni, South Africa
IFC can help cities through a Izmir, Turkey: an example of IFC’s
broad range of advisory and long-term strategic partnership Izmir

investment solutions To help Izmir unlock new sources of international financing to meet the city’s expanding infrastructure
needs, IFC and the municipality began a strategic relationship in 2011. Since then, IFC has provided
IFC is uniquely positioned to help mayors and municipal
US$ 500 million – including funds mobilized from other investors – to help municipal authorities close
leaders meet their cities’ needs. Through IFC’s Cities
service gaps in urban transport, water, waste water and solid waste management.
Initiative – which combines investment and advice –
we forge strategic partnerships with cities around the The success of IFC’s investments has effectively created a new market for infrastructure financing to meet
world to address pressing urban needs with private Izmir’s long-term needs. A decade ago, only 30% of the city’s funds for infrastructure and other improvements
sector participation. The Cities Initiative helps municipal came from international sources. Today, international sources account for more than 75% of its financing. Izmir
authorities build climate-resilient, sustainable cities. IFC is helping identify long-term private finance solutions has also received a triple-A credit rating for local-currency lending, sending a signal of confidence to investors.
to support Almaty’s ambitious infrastructure program

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2021

• Help to upgrade to a Green City
• Technical assistance on identified actions across
the full spectrum of urban infrastructure INNOVATION
• Targeted advisory to prepare for sustainability-linked, $ $ $ $ $ $ $ A A A $
blue or green financing

Smart Traffic Wastewater Wastewater

Management Tramway Treatment Treatment
• Project development support on identified actions Railcars Waste- + Sewerage
EXPERTISE
• Public-Private Partnerships project structuring to-energy
Plant

Ferry Boats
+

• Direct commercial finance for creditworthy cities, utilities US$ 59m US$ 62m US$ 30m
US$ 13m Electric
and private sector companies through tools such as blue Wastewater Waste- Buses
Treatment Sewerage
or green financing and sustainability-linked loans and bonds to-energy
FINANCING Plant
• Mobilization of global private networks for investment
• Mobilization of concessional funding for climate investments US$ 68m

US$ 36m US$ 59m

US$ 70m A Advisory by IFC
$ Financed by IFC
Access IFC’s multilateral approach to financing
Drawing on its global network, IFC mobilizes commercial financing for priority projects, connects cities
with capital markets, and helps diversify their investor base. IFC leverages World Bank and private sector
expertise and offers project structuring and development support for public-private partnerships (PPPs),
as well as community outreach and capacity building to facilitate the implementation of infrastructure
projects. A leader in sustainable financing, IFC issued its first green bond in 2010 and is among the largest
global issuers.

Benefit from the IFC difference

• IFC builds long-term partnerships through direct engagement with municipalities, subnational
companies, and private sector solutions providers.

• IFC brings to bear its extensive market reach and in-house technical expertise to help mayors and
municipal leaders address urban infrastructure implementation and efficiency challenges.

• Since 2004, IFC has invested and mobilized over US$ 8 billion in more than 280 projects in the Cities
infrastructure space.
IFC is helping Izmir, Turkey’s third-largest urban area, to meet expanding infrastructure needs while maintaining commitments to green growth
APEX IFC
An innovation of IFC, APEX supports cities in IFC is a member of the World Bank Group
emerging economies to accelerate the that focuses on private sector development.
implementation of ambitious and transformative Working with partners in more than 100 emerging
policy actions and investments that significantly markets, IFC invests, advises, and mobilizes
contribute to transitioning to low-carbon and resources from others, creating opportunity for
resource-efficient growth pathways. The platform clients in a broad range of industries. Standing
leverages the APEX Online App, which helps cities between the public and private sectors,
to quickly assess the most cost-effective ways to IFC brings market-based solutions to respond
incorporate measures into their investment and to the challenge of creating low-carbon
policy pipelines. economic growth.

www.apexcities.com www.ifc.org