As cities invest billions in tackling climate change, are they focusing too much on carbon emissions and not enough on improving people's lives?

That's one of the questions explored in new research co-authored by Professor Subhes Bhattacharyya from De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) and colleagues from the University of Surrey, who argue that cleaner air, healthier communities, more green spaces and lower energy costs should also be considered as climate action successes.

The findings will also help frame discussions at an international conference on the future of cities being hosted at DMU next month.

The researchers argue that recognising and measuring these wider benefits could help cities make better investment decisions, while building stronger public and political support for climate action.

But the research identifies a gap between ambition and implementation: while many cities recognise these wider benefits, the systems used to monitor climate action remain largely focused on carbon emissions.

Professor Bhattacharyya said: "Cities around the world are making significant investments to reach net zero, but reducing carbon emissions is only part of the picture. Climate action can also improve public health, create jobs, enhance green spaces and strengthen local economies.

"Our research highlights the importance of measuring these wider benefits so that cities can make better-informed decisions and build long-term support for climate action."

The paper examines two of the world's leading urban climate frameworks and concludes that cities need a more joined-up approach to measuring the environmental, social and economic impacts of climate policies, helping decision-makers understand what works and make better long-term investment decisions.

The research comes ahead of the International Conference on Reinventing Urban Futures: Regenerative Cities for a Resilient Planet, taking place at DMU on 3 and 4 September.

Organised by DMU's Institute for Sustainable Futures, the conference will bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, businesses and community organisations to explore how cities can respond to challenges including climate change, resilient infrastructure and changing patterns of urban life.

Discussions will look beyond net zero to consider how cities can become healthier, more resilient and sustainable places to live, and the role that infrastructure, governance, technology and different approaches to economic development can play in achieving that.

Find out more about the conference and book your place here

Posted on Monday 10 August 2026