A smart cities platform has been launched by a trade body to create cleaner, greener and more sustainable urban environments.

The Environmental Industries Commission’s (EIC) cross-sector, free to access online tool aims to bring different smart technologies and big data together, match cities facing environmental challenges with new, innovative solutions and provide an evidence base to unlock investment.

Its creators say it will accelerate growth through sharing international case studies and best practice, helping all sectors, from government to industry, learn more efficiently and secure investments.

It will also connect isolated stakeholders through seminars, roundtables and networking events, provide in-depth reports on policy and markets and lobby governments and policy makers for a regulatory framework that supports and encourages innovation.

Alex Tosetti, Head of Smart Cities & Operations Director at engineering firm AECOM, said: “SustainableSmartCities.org is the solution to years of isolated smart cities work, helping to bridge the distance between pockets of knowledge, practical experience, strategic investments, political support and more.

“This collaboration will best ensure that our cities will leverage smart technologies or big data to create a cleaner, greener and more sustainable world.”