Cities Are Already Showing Important Leadership on Climate and it Saves Billions of Dollars, Creates Better Health and a Healthier Environment
With many cities and regions around the world already demonstrating climate leadership, new research backs up the importance and huge potential benefits of urban areas going low-carbon. Annual global carbon emissions would drop by 3.7 gigatonnes per year by 2030 – the equivalent of India going zero-carbon – through investment in public and low emission transport, building efficiency, and waste management in cities.
The report from New Climate Economy also finds the green measures would save massive amounts of money: US$17 trillion by 2050, which is equivalent to one-fifth of global GDP. This could be bumped up to as much as $22 trillion if national low-carbon policies are also put in place. Nick Godfrey, Head of Policy and Urban Development at the New Climate Economy, said “US$17 trillion in savings is actually a very conservative estimate because it only looks at direct energy savings generated from investment, which are a small proportion of the wider social, economic, and environmental benefits of these investments.”
Cities are crucial in the battle against climate change. Urban areas account for around 85 percent of global GDP and 75 per cent of emissions. And while national governments are hemming and hawing on climate change, many cities have leapt ahead. From commitments to reach 100 per cent renewables to improved waste management and steps towards low-carbon public transport, urban centers around the world are taking steps towards cutting emissions.
Eduardo Paes, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro and Chair of C40 Cities added “Better, more resilient models of urban development are particularly critical for rapidly urbanising cities in the developing world. Cities around the world are already leading the way in implementing sustainable and innovative urban solutions. By sharing and scaling-up these best practices through international collaboration, cities can save money and accelerate global climate action.”
National governments are at risk of slipping behind. Forward-looking mayors, regional authorities and citizens movements are already driving the transition to 100 percent renewables which will benefit people in urban and rural areas alike. With the latest negotiations on an international climate change agreement criticized for their slow speed, the pressure is now on Ministers and Heads of State to use the short time before the crunch talks in Paris in December to make real headway.
Eduardo Paes, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro and Chair of C40 Cities says, “Better, more resilient models of urban development are particularly critical for rapidly urbanising cities in the developing world. Cities around the world are already leading the way in implementing sustainable and innovative urban solutions. By sharing and scaling-up these best practices through international collaboration, cities can save money and accelerate global climate action.”
Climate action is good for lungs and wallets. Research from New Climate Economy shows that investment in low-carbon measures such as public transport in cities can eliminate 3.7 gigatonnes of CO2 per year – the amount produced annually by India – by 2030, and saves $17 trillion by 2050. This adds to the wealth of information already showing that less carbon means cleaner air, better health and significant business opportunities.
More information:
- Climate-smart cities could save the world $22tn, say economists (Guardian)
- Green infrastructure could save cities fifth of world GDP by 2050 (RTCC)
- How greener cities could save the world $17tr (Business Green)
- Report: Accelerating Low-Carbon Development in the World’s Cities (New Climate Economy)
- Document: Signed mayoral declaration (Vatican)
- Network: Compact of Mayors (Cities worldwide)
- Network: C40 Cities (Megacities worldwide)
- Network: Covenant of Mayors (European cities)
- Network ICLEI (Local governments worldwide)
- Case studies: Clean Revolution (The Climate Group and various)
- Publication: Unlocking ambition: Top corporate and sub-national climate commitments (The Climate Group)