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C40 FACT SHEET
Why Cities? The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, now in its 10th year, connects more than 80 of the world’s greatest cities, representing 550+ million people and one quarter of the global economy.
CITIES ARE A LEADING FORCE ON CLIMATE ACTION Cities are where the future happens first. The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, now in its 10th year, connects more than 80 of the world’s greatest cities, representing 550+ million people and one quarter of the global economy. Created and led by cities, C40 is focused on tackling climate change and driving urban action that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks, while increasing the health, wellbeing and economic opportunities of urban citizens. Working across multiple sectors and initiative areas, C40 convenes networks of cities providing a suite of services in support of their efforts, including: direct technical assistance; facilitation of peer-to-peer exchange; and research, knowledge management & communications. C40 is also positioning cities as a leading force for climate action around the world, defining and amplifying their call to national governments for greater support and autonomy in creating a sustainable future.
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London Contact See
North West Entrance, City-Gate House, 39-45 Finsbury Square, Level 6, London EC2A 1PX, United Kingdom [email protected] www.c40cities.org
A STRONG CAPACITY – AND WILL – TO TACKLE EMISSION SOURCES Urban densities yield many opportunities for low carbon living, such as the use of cycling paths or mass transport. A study by the International Energy Agency shows that, in the United States, energy use per capita of city residents is slightly lower than the national average. By contrast, in China, per capita energy use of city residents is double the national average, due to higher average incomes and better access to modern energy services. Cities have a responsibility to create solutions to climate change. Fortunately, they also have a real capacity – and will – to do so. Acting both locally and collaboratively, cities are making a meaningful global impact by implementing sustainability practices. Each city is unique in its infrastructure, scope of control over municipal services, technical savvy and even progress in addressing climate change.
THE UNDERLYING DRIVERS OF EMISSIONS IN CITIES ARE LARGELY THE SAME: •
Buildings have inefficient heating and cooling, lighting, and refrigeration systems - their walls, windows and roofs leak heat in the winter and cold in the summer.
•
Solid waste landfills release methane – a greenhouse gas agent 23 times more potent than CO2 – as garbage decays.
•
Most of the energy used for outdoor lighting becomes waste heat rather than producing light.
•
Heavy traffic congestion in cities generates significant emissions and reduces worker productivity.
•
Most water systems waste significant water and energy as a result of leaks and losses.
ACHIEVING GLOBAL SCALE Competitive advantages allow individual cities to pursue a subset of strategies that will lead to meaningful emissions reductions at the local level. Cities can be nimble in implementing policy changes, but are also readily accountable to their citizens, local businesses, schools, and institutions for the success or failure of their actions. To this extent, cities are a test-bed for larger action: policies and programs that work - environmentally, economically and politically - have powerful potential to effect change globally. Cities with common profiles can network, collaborate on solutions and disseminate best practices that bring actions to scale in other similar cities.
London Contact See
North West Entrance, City-Gate House, 39-45 Finsbury Square, Level 6, London EC2A 1PX, United Kingdom [email protected] www.c40cities.org
Why Cities? The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, now in its 10th year, connects more than 80 of the world’s greatest cities, representing 550+ million people and one quarter of the global economy.
CITIES ARE A LEADING FORCE ON CLIMATE ACTION Cities are where the future happens first. The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, now in its 10th year, connects more than 80 of the world’s greatest cities, representing 550+ million people and one quarter of the global economy. Created and led by cities, C40 is focused on tackling climate change and driving urban action that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks, while increasing the health, wellbeing and economic opportunities of urban citizens. Working across multiple sectors and initiative areas, C40 convenes networks of cities providing a suite of services in support of their efforts, including: direct technical assistance; facilitation of peer-to-peer exchange; and research, knowledge management & communications. C40 is also positioning cities as a leading force for climate action around the world, defining and amplifying their call to national governments for greater support and autonomy in creating a sustainable future.
Infographic
London Contact See
North West Entrance, City-Gate House, 39-45 Finsbury Square, Level 6, London EC2A 1PX, United Kingdom [email protected] www.c40cities.org
A STRONG CAPACITY – AND WILL – TO TACKLE EMISSION SOURCES Urban densities yield many opportunities for low carbon living, such as the use of cycling paths or mass transport. A study by the International Energy Agency shows that, in the United States, energy use per capita of city residents is slightly lower than the national average. By contrast, in China, per capita energy use of city residents is double the national average, due to higher average incomes and better access to modern energy services. Cities have a responsibility to create solutions to climate change. Fortunately, they also have a real capacity – and will – to do so. Acting both locally and collaboratively, cities are making a meaningful global impact by implementing sustainability practices. Each city is unique in its infrastructure, scope of control over municipal services, technical savvy and even progress in addressing climate change.
THE UNDERLYING DRIVERS OF EMISSIONS IN CITIES ARE LARGELY THE SAME: •
Buildings have inefficient heating and cooling, lighting, and refrigeration systems - their walls, windows and roofs leak heat in the winter and cold in the summer.
•
Solid waste landfills release methane – a greenhouse gas agent 23 times more potent than CO2 – as garbage decays.
•
Most of the energy used for outdoor lighting becomes waste heat rather than producing light.
•
Heavy traffic congestion in cities generates significant emissions and reduces worker productivity.
•
Most water systems waste significant water and energy as a result of leaks and losses.
ACHIEVING GLOBAL SCALE Competitive advantages allow individual cities to pursue a subset of strategies that will lead to meaningful emissions reductions at the local level. Cities can be nimble in implementing policy changes, but are also readily accountable to their citizens, local businesses, schools, and institutions for the success or failure of their actions. To this extent, cities are a test-bed for larger action: policies and programs that work - environmentally, economically and politically - have powerful potential to effect change globally. Cities with common profiles can network, collaborate on solutions and disseminate best practices that bring actions to scale in other similar cities.
London Contact See
North West Entrance, City-Gate House, 39-45 Finsbury Square, Level 6, London EC2A 1PX, United Kingdom [email protected] www.c40cities.org
