Also discussed here: C40 Releases Landmark Research Detailing a Clear Trend of Expanding and Accelerating Climate Action in the World’s Megacities(4 page pdf Press Release, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40), Feb. 5, 2014)
And here: C40 city mayors lead action on climate change(ARUP, Feb. 5, 2014)
And here: How much power do cities really have to combat climate change?(Emily Badger, Grist, Feb. 7, 2014)
Today we review a report from the C40 group of 63 cities from around the world (with only two in Canada: Toronto and Vancouver) on progress being made on climate action plans since 2011. Most notable is the emphasis on flood risk reduction and reducing CO2 emissions from private vehicles and from heating and cooling buildings – these targets being seen by most Mayors as the ones that would yield the most effective results. Striking also is the focus taken to reduce car use with priority put on making public transit more accessible (even to the point of offering free fares) and encouraging more walking and cycling, rather than investing in Light Rail Transit, seen as the “silver bullet” for cities such as Canada’s 4th largest city, Ottawa, notably not a member of C40 and not engaged in significant action on climate change. In comparison, cities such as Paris are making excellent progress since 2003 on reducing vehicle emissions by 60% by 2020 and by reducing and charging more for parking and through a major bike sharing program (Velolib). The 60% reduction target by 2020 is much closer to a realistic one to stabilize global climate warming than the much less ambitious 20% targets seen in the USA and Canada.
Key Quotes:
“98% of reporting cities indicate that climate change presents significant risks to their city”
“Actions to improve energy efficiency in buildings account for more than 20% of activities axcross alls sectors reported by C40 cities” “currently, 41% of actions are in effect on a citywide scale”
“Mayors have the most significant power over assets/functions in the Water, Buildings and Community-scale Development sectors”
“projects/Programmes and Policy/Regulations are used to deliver more than 80% of actions”
“North American cities reported the highest average CO2 e-emissions per capita (9 tons/year); 60% higher than cities in East Asia which is the second most carbon intensive region”
“in Paris, the 2001 Mobility Plan.. set ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions from traffic by 60% by 2020..[as of 2013] the city reduced parking by 9% (14,300 spots) and started charging for 95% of spots that were previously free. Vehicle kilometers travelled in the city are down by 13% since 2003”
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