Monday, 12 May 2025

Data For Resilient Cities: United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), World Council on City Data (WCCD) and Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM) Workshop Brings Cities and Investors Together to Build Resilient Futures

   

Vaughan, Canada – In response to rising climate-related disasters and the urgent need for sustainable infrastructure investment, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), World Council on City Data (WCCD) and Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM) Workshop took place April 24 and 25 in Vaughan, Ontario. The two-day workshop convened cities across the Americas - from Buenos Aires to Toronto to Reykjavik, UN leaders, and financial sector experts to address two critical global challenges: the ongoing funding gap faced by cities, and the persistent city data gap faced by banks and investors.

This high-level workshop introduced global urban leaders to ISO 37123—Indicators for Resilient Cities and ISO 37125—Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) for Cities, the first ESG data standard tailored for cities and regions. Together, these ISO standards offer a powerful solution to the dual challenge of resilience planning and investment readiness.

Workshop Objectives: Bridging the Gaps

The workshop was anchored in the central theme of Data for Resilient Cities—a call to action for greater collaboration between and across cities globally and the financial sector. By leveraging standardized, third-party verified city data, local governments can adopt a governance strategy for a more resilient future and prepare for and mitigate risk through planning strategic and resilient infrastructure investment for the future of their citizens. Financial institutions gain access to reliable Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics essential for informed investment decisions. The data generated for cities in adopting ISO 37123 and ISO 37125 offers a clear path to align public resilience planning with private sector financing. This globally standardized and third-party verified data equips cities with reliable ESG metrics essential for informed investment decisions and also supports financial institutions in the growing municipal finance sector.

The urgency of this workshop was highlighted by the UN’s #DRRday Report, which shows that between 2000 and 2019, 7,348 major disasters impacted 4.2 billion people and caused nearly US$3 trillion in economic losses.

“The objective is clear,” said Dr. Patricia McCarney, President and CEO of the World Council on City Data (WCCD) and Director of Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM). “We are bringing cities and banks into the same room to address two critical challenges—cities need funding, and investors need data. This workshop equips both with the tools to take meaningful, collaborative action.”

Sanjaya Bhatia, Head of Global Education and Training Institute, UNDRR emphasized the importance of the Workshop, stating that “with disasters accelerating and urban services under increasing pressure, this workshop marks a pivotal moment—where cities and the financial sector unite around standardized, verified data to drive resilient investment. Together, through ISO 37123 and ISO 37125, we are equipping cities with the tools to not only prepare for a safer future, but to make it possible.”

The workshop was also a key milestone under the UN-led Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative and supported alignment with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and UN Sustainable Development Goals.

City-to-City Learning and Finance-Ready Dialogue

Day one focused on data-driven resilience strategic planning and the implementation of ISO 37123 and the power of certified resilience data to shape emergency planning, disaster recovery, and strategic urban governance. Participating cities and regions—Toronto, Vaughan, Mississauga, Regional Municipality of York, Reykjavik, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, and Montego Bay—showcased lessons learned and engaged in a peer-to-peer exchange on resilience challenges and solutions.

Day two shifted to finance, introducing the ISO 37125 Standard and the role of ESG metrics in unlocking capital markets. Sustainable finance leaders from the National Bank of Canada, RBC, Scotiabank, and Avondale Private Capital joined municipal leaders to explore how certified city data is powering new forms of investment, including municipal bonds, green, sustainable and social bonds and sustainability-linked bonds to support more resilient infrastructure investment in cities.

The need to finance resilient infrastructure and “build back better” initiatives is more urgent than ever. At COP28’s Zero Climate Disasters by 2030 discussion, UNDRR noted an 80% increase in the number of people affected by disasters since 2005, and projected that by 2030, climate-related disasters could occur at a rate of 1.5 per day.

Outcomes for a Resilient Future

Participants left the workshop with:

  • Knowledge of how to apply ISO-certified data to risk reduction and capital planning
  • Strategies to build investor-ready ESG profiles
  • A clearer understanding of how to align local resilience goals with global finance frameworks

The success of the workshop in Canada continued May 6–7 with its second session in the United Arab Emirates bringing together cities across the middle east, Africa and Asia. This workshop by UNDRR, WCCD, and SUM is driving a new era of data-driven resilience, empowering cities not just to recover—but to lead.

For media inquiries, please contact:


World Council on City Data (WCCD): info@dataforcities.org

Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM): director@standardizedurbanmetrics.ca
UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR): media@un.org

Learn more:
www.dataforcities.org
www.standardizedurbanmetrics.com

 

Friday, 14 June 2024

City of Edmonton Receives Platinum-Level WCCD ISO 37120 Certification for Fifth Consecutive Year

   

 

The City of Edmonton received its fifth platinum certification from the World Council on City Data (WCCD) for the implementation of the ISO International Standard - ISO 37120 - Indicators for Sustainable Cities. This certification demonstrates Edmonton’s commitment to data-driven decision making and high calibre data. The certification was announced at the June 11th Council Meeting. 

Edmonton joined the WCCD in 2019 and is now part of a global network of WCCD ISO-certified cities spanning over 40 countries including over 30 Canadian cities and over 100 global cities that collect, share and use data to make effective and transformative decisions. This Platinum Certification is the highest level of recognition by the WCCD and underlines the City’s commitment to high-calibre, globally standardized and independently verified city data.

The World Council on City Data (WCCD) President and CEO, Dr. Patricia McCarney in recognizing this  achievement stated “This fifth WCCD ISO 37120 certification showcases Edmonton’s continued dedication to the highest standards of data, providing the city with a strong and robust dataset that supports data informed governance, planning, and service delivery.”

Receiving the certification, Edmonton's Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said “This certification reflects the dedication of our staff and residents to fostering data-driven decision making. The data they collect and provide gives us important insight into how our policies, programs and investments are operating; how we can better serve Edmontonians; and how we can best spend tax dollars and implement grants.”

The City of Edmonton is harnessing this data for strategic planning, positioning the city as a leader in Canada committed to advancing economic growth, sustainability, and the welfare of its community.

A Canadian-led, global innovation, ISO 37120 is the first international standard for city data. With 104 fully numeric indicators across 19 themes, it helps to measure city services and quality of life, underpinned by standardized definitions and methodologies.

The WCCD was founded in 2014 and helps communities of all sizes worldwide embrace standardized, independently verified and globally comparable city data to become more sustainable, resilient, prosperous, inclusive and smart.

For more information, please contact: 
 
Dr. Patricia McCarney
President & CEO
World Council on City Data
patricia.mccarney@globalcities.ca 

Monday, 15 April 2024

County of Brant Celebrates Fifth Annual ISO 37120 Platinum Certification from the World Council on City Data

   

 

County of Brant Mayor David Bailey and WCCD President and CEO Dr. Patricia McCarney

County of Brant, ON – The County of Brant is proud to announce its achievement of ISO 37120 Platinum Certification for the fifth consecutive year, a recognition awarded by the World Council on City Data (WCCD). This year's certification was presented to Mayor David Bailey and Council by Dr. Patricia McCarney, President and CEO of the WCCD, in a ceremony that highlighted Brant's outstanding performance across various key performance indicators.

The ISO 37120 Platinum Certification distinguishes cities and communities worldwide that have a strong commitment to high-calibre data, supporting Brant’s efforts toward sustainability, economic resilience, infrastructure reliability, community well-being, and beyond. The data showcased by the WCCD includes:

  • Exceptional Canadian and global leadership on natural protection area and high air quality
  • Increasingly low unemployment rates and a highly educated population
  • Responsible energy and water consumption
  • A high quality of life demonstrated through a low crime rate and impressive opportunities for cultural events
Mayor David Bailey expressed his gratitude and pride in the County of Brant’s achievements, stating, 

“Earning this prestigious certification for the fifth year in a row underscores our collective efforts in setting and achieving high standards in various critical areas. It's a clear indicator of our dedication to building a model community that others might look up to. A heartfelt thanks goes out to our staff and the citizens of Brant for their relentless dedication."

Dr. Patricia McCarney also commended County of Brant for its exemplary leadership, saying, 

"The World Council on City Data is honored to recognize the County of Brant with the ISO 37120 Platinum Certification once again. Brant’s achievements across the board—from its environmental stewardship and economic resilience to its focus on health, safety, and engagement—are remarkable examples of what it means to lead in sustainable urban governance. With these five years of high caliber data, Brant can leverage this data continuity to support its strategic efforts and objectives under “Our Future Brant”. We look forward to our continued collaboration in future years."

About the WCCD

The WCCD hosts a network of innovative cities committed to high quality, globally standardized and certified city data which is critical for driving innovation and more strategic and sustainable economic development. This data supports city leaders in establishing a baseline for building more resilient, smart, prosperous and inclusive futures for their cities and their nations.

Established in 2014, over the past 10 years, the WCCD has built the most comprehensive city data platform in the world and is now working in over forty countries and has certified over one hundred cities. The WCCD is the global leader in supporting cities to collect, report and use ISO standardized, third-party verified and comparable city data of the highest calibre. This vital data has applications ranging from investment attraction and economic development, innovation and business growth, strategic planning and progress monitoring, to internal and global benchmarking, to localization of global agendas, and, overall, developing smarter, more sustainable, resilient, prosperous and inclusive cities.

Working with professionals worldwide, the WCCD was instrumental in publishing the global first: now referred to as the ISO 37120 Series of Standards for City Indicators – the first set of key performance standards to support city data published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in Geneva. ISO 37120 – Sustainable Cities and Communities —Indicators for City Services and Quality of Life is the foundational document and the WCCD is now operationalizing two additional standards: ISO 37122 — Indicators for Smart Cities and ISO 37123 — Indicators for Resilient Cities across its rapidly growing global network. The WCCD is now working toward the release of a new standard – ISO 37125, the first ever standard for ESG metrics at the city level.

The WCCD has created the first ever certification system and hosts the Global Cities Registry® for ISO 37120, ISO 37122 and ISO 37123. Further building on this foundation, the WCCD establishes a global hub for creative learning partnerships across cities, international organizations, corporate partners, and academia to further innovation, envision alternative futures, and build better and more livable cities.

Original Release from County of Brant: https://www.brant.ca/en/news/county-of-brant-celebrates-platinum-certification-from-the-world-council-on-city-data.aspx

For more information, please contact: 
 
Dr. Patricia McCarney
President & CEO
World Council on City Data
patricia.mccarney@globalcities.ca 

Monday, 18 March 2024

Aalter Celebrates Three Successful Years of WCCD ISO 37120 Certification

   

 


AALTER, BELGIUM - March 18, 2024 - In a significant milestone for the City of Aalter, Mayor Pieter De Crem accepted the WCCD ISO 37120 Gold Certification, marking the city's third achievement of this prestigious award. The World Council on City Data (WCCD) President and CEO, Dr. Patricia McCarney, presented the certificate in a ceremony attended by city members of the College of Mayor and Aldermen, staff, and stakeholders, underscoring Aalter's commitment to data-driven decision-making and sustainable urban development.


This certification at the Gold level acknowledges Aalter's exemplary collection of high-quality data to foster internal benchmarking, strategic planning, infrastructure investment, localization of global goals and sustainable economic development. Throughout the certification process, Aalter demonstrated exceptional data collection practices that have significantly contributed to its recognition and resulted in over one hundred fully standardized key performance indicators for the city to use.

Dr. Patricia McCarney commended the City’s achievements, stating, 
"Aalter's continued dedication to the highest standards of city data not only enhances its own urban management but also sets a global benchmark for cities globally aspiring to sustainable, smart, and resilient development."

Mayor Pieter De Crem expressed gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the city's commitment to leveraging data for the betterment of its community.

The ceremony highlighted Aalter's particularly celebratory data points yielded from its certification, including exemplary leadership in business, bicycle lanes, recreation space, healthcare, and sustainable water consumption. 

The WCCD looks forward to continuing its partnership with Aalter, furthering the use of standardized city data to enhance urban sustainability and inclusive prosperity. 

About the WCCD

The WCCD hosts a network of innovative cities committed to high quality, globally standardized and certified city data which is critical for driving innovation and more strategic and sustainable economic development. This data supports city leaders in establishing a baseline for building more resilient, smart, prosperous and inclusive futures for their cities and their nations. 

Established in 2014, over the past 10 years, the WCCD has built the most comprehensive city data platform in the world and is now working in over forty countries and has certified over one hundred  cities. The WCCD is the global leader in supporting cities to collect, report and use ISO standardized, third-party verified and comparable city data of the highest calibre. This vital data has applications ranging from investment attraction and economic development, innovation and business growth, strategic planning and progress monitoring, to internal and global benchmarking, to localization of global agendas, and, overall, developing smarter, more sustainable, resilient, prosperous and inclusive cities.

Working with professionals worldwide, the WCCD was instrumental in publishing the global first: now referred to as the ISO 37120 Series of Standards for City Indicators – the first set of key performance standards to support city data published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in Geneva. ISO 37120 – Sustainable Cities and Communities —Indicators for City Services and Quality of Life is the foundational document and the WCCD is now operationalizing two additional standards: ISO 37122 — Indicators for Smart Cities and ISO 37123 — Indicators for Resilient Cities across its rapidly growing global network. The WCCD has created the first ever certification system and hosts the Global Cities Registry® for ISO 37120, ISO 37122 and ISO 37123. Further building on this foundation, the WCCD establishes a global hub for creative learning partnerships across cities, international organizations, corporate partners, and academia to further innovation, envision alternative futures, and build better and more livable cities.

For more information, please contact: 
 
Dr. Patricia McCarney
President & CEO
World Council on City Data
patricia.mccarney@globalcities.ca 

Wednesday, 28 February 2024

MARKHAM RECEIVES PLATINUM-LEVEL WCCD ISO 37120 CERTIFICATION FOR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

   

 

From left: CAO of Markham Andy Taylor, President and CEO of WCCD Patricia McCarney, and Mayor of Markham Frank Scarpitti.

MARKHAM, ON – February 28, 2024 – The City of Markham has received ISO 37120 Platinum-level certification from the World Council on City Data (WCCD) for the fifth consecutive year.

The certification underscores Markham's position as a global and Canadian leader in data-driven decision-making. Markham became a member of the WCCD in 2019 and is now part of a worldwide network comprising more than 100 cities across 40 different countries.

“This recognition is a reflection of the dedication and hard work of the entire community, and it is an honour to receive this WCCD ISO certification, marking our fifth year of building a solid platform of data in Markham to inform our decision making and highlight our tremendous progress,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “We take great pride in our ranking in many key indicators in relation to other global cities.”

“The City of Markham has benefitted from participating in the WCCD certification process which has allowed our city to benchmark ourselves against similar municipalities while also supporting our goal of making data-informed decisions that support service excellence,” said Markham CAO Andy Taylor.

"This certification is a testament to the culture of robust, data-driven decision-making in Markham, championed by Mayor Scarpitti, CAO Andy Taylor, and the exceptional City staff. It has been a pleasure collaborating with you during this certification, and I look forward to our continued partnership,” said Dr. Patricia McCarney, President and CEO of the WCCD.

A Canadian-led, global innovation, ISO 37120 is the first international standard for city data. With 104 fully numeric indicators across 19 themes, it helps to measure city services and quality of life, underpinned by standardized definitions and methodologies.

The WCCD was founded in 2014 and helps communities of all sizes worldwide embrace standardized, independently verified and globally comparable city data to become more sustainable, resilient, prosperous, inclusive and smart.

Read the press release from City of Markham here.

For more information, please contact: 
 
Dr. Patricia McCarney
President & CEO
World Council on City Data

Thursday, 11 January 2024

Daegu Metropolitan Area Receives WCCD ISO "Triple" Certification for the Second Time

   

 Las Vegas, USA


Congratulations to the Daegu Metropolitan Area for earning the remarkable WCCD ISO “Triple Certification” for the second time. This achievement marks Daegu as the first city in Asia to receive such a distinguished title. The certifications include WCCD ISO 37120 for Sustainable Cities, ISO 37122 for Smart Cities, and ISO 37123 for Resilient Cities.

The certification was presented to Daegu Metropolitan City representatives at the “Powerful Daegu” exhibit during the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Dr. Patricia McCarney, President and CEO of the WCCD, highlighted the significant collaboration between the WCCD and Daegu, a partnership that promises to grow even stronger in the future.

Dr. McCarney also extended an invitation to Daegu to participate in the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction’s MCR 2030 Program. Through their WCCD ISO 37123 certification, Daegu qualifies for the highest level of entry in this strategic global UN initiative. This participation will further enhance Daegu’s capabilities in addressing risk for a more resilient future for their citizens. Furthermore, Dr. McCarney invited Daegu to be among the first global cities to adopt the new ISO 37125 Standard – the inaugural global Standard for Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) Indicators for Cities, which is currently under development and soon to be published by ISO in Geneva.



Daegu’s commitment to technology and innovation was also recognized. Justine Hamilton-Arvisais, Director of City Certification, lauded the city for its high quality of life and economic development efforts, as evidenced by indicators like low unemployment rates, a high number of patents issued, and the provision of digital learning devices to students.

We anticipate continuing our fruitful collaboration with Daegu Metropolitan City and are excited to witness their ongoing leadership and contributions within the WCCD global network.



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Tuesday, 9 January 2024

Town of Caledon Receives Second Platinum WCCD ISO 37120 Certification from the WCCD

   

 Caledon, ON

Justine Hamilton-Arvisais from WCCD presents Mayor Groves with platinum certification, joined by Council and senior leadership.

The Town of Caledon has received its second platinum certification from the World Council on City Data (WCCD) for the implementation of ISO 37120 (Indicators for Sustainable Cities) standards.

“We’re excited to continue our partnership with the WCCD,” said Mayor Annette Groves. “Data of this caliber helps us make informed decisions when allocating resources and monitoring progress towards the vision outlined in our Strategic Plan.”

ISO 37120 sets parameters around data collection specific to sustainability and quality of life. By collecting and measuring data according to this standard, municipalities have access to information that supports evidence-based decisions, setting achievable targets and comparing performance against municipalities worldwide.

"By achieving the WCCD's top-tier platinum recertification, Caledon continues to be part of a worldwide community that leverages data for innovative service delivery," stated Nathan Hyde, Chief Administrative Officer. "This certification is a reflection of our commitment to enhancing our community in alignment with the 2023-2035 Strategic Plan."

In July of 2023, Caledon received its first platinum certification from the WCCD for the implementation of ISO 37120 in 2022. The WCCD was founded in 2014 and helps communities of all sizes worldwide embrace standardized, independently verified and globally comparable city data to become more sustainable, resilient, prosperous, inclusive and smart.

Read original post from Town of Caledon: https://www.caledon.ca/en/news/town-of-caledon-receives-second-platinum-certification-from-world-council-on-city-data.aspx