New report says climate change initiatives make healthier and wealthier cities

Cities that have cut their carbon footprint, are reporting annual energy savings of up to US$13 million, with residents also benefitting from healthier living and better business environments, says the new report, Wealthier, healthier cities.

Undertaken by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), an international not-for-profit organisation providing a global system for companies and cities to share environmental information, the report bases its findings on the carbon and water strategies disclosed through CDP’s cities programme by 110 urban areas across all continents. The report, produced with C40 Cities and AECOM, shows that savings from improved energy efficiency dominate the advantages that cities are capitalising on as they respond to climate change and related impacts such as rising energy costs, with nine cities reporting collective savings of US$40 million.  It notes that one of every two actions that cities are taking to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions is dedicated to increasing efficiency.

“Cities are hotbeds of innovation, and local governments have been quick to implement many new ways to combat and adapt to climate change and resource scarcity,” said Conor Riffle, head of CDP’s cities programme. “These leading cities are enjoying multiple paybacks for their economies and communities.  National governments should pay close attention.”

The emission reduction initiatives have also shown to boost cities’ economies, with 62 percent of these actions having the potential to attract new business investment.  Sao Paulo, Brazil’s most populous city, has already seen the emergence of new industries related to clean technology, including electric and ethanol powered vehicles.  Greater Manchester, one of the UK’s largest urban areas, has seen its low-carbon and environmental goods sector grow 4 percent, despite the ongoing recession in the UK.

Gary Lawrence, chief sustainability officer at AECOM, a technical and management support services firm, says: “We’re seeing expanded participation and evidence of cities better understanding risk avoidance, resilience, and capital investment strategies that create more value, address concerns for human health and link to stronger economic outcomes.”

Most cities from the C40 global network participated in the CDP programme this year, with many of them leading the way in reporting to CDP for a third consecutive year. Fifty five percent of the cities are undertaking emissions reduction actions that promote walking and cycling, directly and indirectly improving public health.

After introducing more than 100 kilometres of bicycle paths to decrease private vehicle ownership and limit human contribution to climate change, Buenos Aires is one of the cities implementing environmental initiatives that also have a positive lifestyle impact for their citizens.  Fifty five percent of the cities are undertaking emissions reduction actions that promote walking and cycling, directly and indirectly improving public health.

“Mayors are dealing head-on with the need to safeguard their populations, infrastructure and economies from the increasingly severe impacts of climate change,” says Rohit Aggarwala, Special Advisor to the C40 Chair, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “By reporting on their progress C40 Cities are holding themselves and each other accountable for meeting the targets they set, and continuing to demonstrate unprecedented, global leadership in taking real, measurable actions.”