Post by account_disabled on Feb 28, 2024 2:30:03 GMT -5
Cities have a central role in driving decarbonization and building resilience fast enough to meet the Paris goals. Metropolises alone produce 75 percent of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions . However, the national support that cities need to adapt and change their current patterns of living remains scarce. What are the climate priorities that local governments should be addressing now? We tell you
As the 2018 report of the Intergovernmental Changsha Mobile Number List Panel on Climate Change noted, cities, with their concentration of people, economic activity and infrastructure, are among the most powerful levers we have to drive decarbonization and build resilience quickly enough to meet the Paris goals.
Certainly, national delegations occupy a central place in the COPs. The objectives of the Paris Agreement are far from being achieved if cities do not recognize their crucial involvement in change.
There are currently important agreements and initiatives since COP26, which seek to lead and encourage cities to take a step in this transition. Like the Cities Race to Zero, in which more than 1,000 cities signed up to commit to reversing forest loss and curbing carbon emissions. But even so, the resources that cities need to meet environmental objectives remain scarce. So how to achieve it?
5 climate priorities for cities
1. Close the gap between city action and NDCs
There is a huge missed opportunity in not more systematically linking city climate action to improved national climate action plans. The symbiosis is obvious: cities need more ambitious NDCs to achieve their science-based goals, and national governments need cities to realize the full urban greenhouse gas mitigation potential.
Therefore, one of the climate priorities is a concerted effort to demonstrate that city action contributes to and improves national climate goals. This requires further research and analysis, specifically to quantify and demonstrate the additional contribution of city-led climate action to meeting environmental goals.
For example, in Denmark, the DK2020 project , although not a government-led effort, could show a different path forward. It is a climate action plan that starts with 95 cities, each using a common planning framework developed by C40 and building what is needed for the 1.5 degrees Celsius goal.
The Coalition for Urban Transitions' report "Seizing the Urban Opportunity " focuses on six emerging economies, together responsible for 41% of greenhouse gas emissions, and provides clear guidance and data to national authorities on why and how to involve cities. Resolving this disconnect is crucial in climate priorities.
2. Use integrated climate action to guide urban planning and priority setting
Cities do not have the luxury of addressing mitigation and adaptation as two separate workstreams. Governments should focus their efforts on integrated climate action that also incorporates public health, equity and other sustainable development goals.
Climate action must be prioritized in the comprehensive action of all departments and sectors. Emphasizing co-benefits is key to obtaining the broad support needed within bureaucracies and voters. But to maximize the health, social and economic benefits of emissions reductions , cities must also be prepared to deliver coherent policies and measures to manage potential offsets.
As the 2018 report of the Intergovernmental Changsha Mobile Number List Panel on Climate Change noted, cities, with their concentration of people, economic activity and infrastructure, are among the most powerful levers we have to drive decarbonization and build resilience quickly enough to meet the Paris goals.
Certainly, national delegations occupy a central place in the COPs. The objectives of the Paris Agreement are far from being achieved if cities do not recognize their crucial involvement in change.
There are currently important agreements and initiatives since COP26, which seek to lead and encourage cities to take a step in this transition. Like the Cities Race to Zero, in which more than 1,000 cities signed up to commit to reversing forest loss and curbing carbon emissions. But even so, the resources that cities need to meet environmental objectives remain scarce. So how to achieve it?
5 climate priorities for cities
1. Close the gap between city action and NDCs
There is a huge missed opportunity in not more systematically linking city climate action to improved national climate action plans. The symbiosis is obvious: cities need more ambitious NDCs to achieve their science-based goals, and national governments need cities to realize the full urban greenhouse gas mitigation potential.
Therefore, one of the climate priorities is a concerted effort to demonstrate that city action contributes to and improves national climate goals. This requires further research and analysis, specifically to quantify and demonstrate the additional contribution of city-led climate action to meeting environmental goals.
For example, in Denmark, the DK2020 project , although not a government-led effort, could show a different path forward. It is a climate action plan that starts with 95 cities, each using a common planning framework developed by C40 and building what is needed for the 1.5 degrees Celsius goal.
The Coalition for Urban Transitions' report "Seizing the Urban Opportunity " focuses on six emerging economies, together responsible for 41% of greenhouse gas emissions, and provides clear guidance and data to national authorities on why and how to involve cities. Resolving this disconnect is crucial in climate priorities.
2. Use integrated climate action to guide urban planning and priority setting
Cities do not have the luxury of addressing mitigation and adaptation as two separate workstreams. Governments should focus their efforts on integrated climate action that also incorporates public health, equity and other sustainable development goals.
Climate action must be prioritized in the comprehensive action of all departments and sectors. Emphasizing co-benefits is key to obtaining the broad support needed within bureaucracies and voters. But to maximize the health, social and economic benefits of emissions reductions , cities must also be prepared to deliver coherent policies and measures to manage potential offsets.