The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) met with ministers from 30 countries from the OECD to discuss and make recommendations for future action toward urban sustainability. Many examples were shown on how cities play an essential role in reducing greenhouse gases and in adapting to climate change, and taking other actions in the sectors where cities have the mandate and means to control: water, waste, energy and transportation. Economic instruments play an important role.
Key Quotes:
“The Chicago Proposal for Financing Sustainable Cities: some recommendations:
- Remove barriers to local government action- start by eliminating current regulations that impair the potential for local governments to act.
- Road-pricing policies can help reduce traffic and pollution = likely to be most effective at reducing traffic and emissions when differentiated according to the level of congestion, peak hours or both.
- Fees for water and waste services should be more responsive to actual resource use.
- Infrastructure needs related to new development should be internalised in the financing of development projects”
“the most effective actions were implemented in areas where the cities exercised the broadest powers;
“This is not an accident … that’s where mayors have the authority to go and implement change in transportation, solid waste management and public-private buildings.” (Mayor Bloomberg)
"One-quarter of the changes that are required will come from behaviour changes.” (Sir Richard Leese , Leader of the Council, Manchester, UK)
“Cities account for an estimated 67% of global energy use and 71% of global energy-related CO₂ emissions”
“CO₂ emissions from transport are likely to be greater in less densely populated areas than in more densely populated areas….Sprawling urban form tends to be accompanied by high levels of private vehicle use, and also makes it difficult to build enough demand to efficiently deliver public services."
“Congestion charges are fees for road use that are applied exclusively or more intensely during peak traffic periods. Congestion charges have reduced CO₂ emissions up to 19.5% in the cities where they have been applied and decreased other air pollutants as well”
“On average, energy used in buildings in OECD cities account for 35-40% of cities’ energy consumption on average …and in C40 cities’ building energy accounts for 45% of carbon emissions”
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