Cities around the world need $375 billion in green investment to avoid catastrophic global climate change, the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group says.
According to a report by Arup on behalf of the C40 group, without serious action before 2020, the world will have locked in future emissions to the point where global temperatures will surpass the 2 degrees Celsius mark—the upper safe limit in the Paris Climate Agreement. The report says that megacities need to reduce their average emissions from more than five tons of carbon per capita today to around 2.9 tons over the next decade.
The report provides guidelines for global cities to take 14,000 climate actions over the next four years in transportation, efficiency, energy production, and waste management in order to reduce emissions. If C40 cities and their partners take on the recommended actions, the report says they can deliver 51% of the carbon reductions necessary to ensure cities are on course with Paris Agreement objectives. The remaining 49% of emission reductions would need to come from external structural changes such as de-carbonizing national energy supplies.
Established 11 years ago, the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group includes more than 85 world cities, representing more than 650 million people and one-quarter of the global economy.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Feb 10, 2022
Intl. Code Council committee on diversity seeks applicants
New board aims to increase diversity in the membership association.
Codes and Standards | Feb 9, 2022
Climate impact of gas stoves in U.S. equal to half a million cars
New study could increase momentum to ban fossil fuels in new buildings.
Codes and Standards | Feb 7, 2022
Energy efficiency ratings not reflecting true energy use
Highest rated U.K. buildings are less efficient than lower rated ones.
Codes and Standards | Feb 3, 2022
Illinois tops USGBC list of states with the most LEED certified projects in 2021
Top 10 states plus D.C. certified more than 247 million gross square feet.
Codes and Standards | Feb 2, 2022
Public works contracting reform advances in New York State
Governor signs bill to form advisory council that will propose policy changes.
Codes and Standards | Feb 2, 2022
Commercial and multifamily construction starts rebounded in 2021
Following COVID uncertainty in 2020, the industry recovered, but still lags 2019 levels.
Codes and Standards | Feb 1, 2022
Biden Administration launches state, local coalition to boost building performance standards
Will focus on energy efficiency and electrification across the buildings sector.
Codes and Standards | Jan 26, 2022
Downtown digital twin to aid Las Vegas in setting policy priorities
Will be used to address energy use, emissions, traffic, parking, noise, and emergency management.
Codes and Standards | Jan 25, 2022
Modeling tool helps compare options for HVAC systems when little known about a building
Compares projected costs and energy usage for all HVAC systems and hot water consumption.
Codes and Standards | Jan 25, 2022
Critics slam proposed revamp of California’s solar net energy metering rate
Could make rooftop solar panels unaffordable for most customers.