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New global analysis reveals extent of trend to cleaner energy

Latin American and European cities are the least reliant on fossil fuels to power their electricity, new analysis of major cities around the world by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and AECOM has found.
New global analysis reveals extent of trend to cleaner energy

Asia Pacific cities continue to exhibit a high dependency on fossil fuels, while North American and African cities sit somewhere in the middle. This year, 308 cities are participating in CDP in order to improve their climate change strategies. Thus far, 162 cities have revealed their use of fossil fuel versus clean power sources. The results show that of the participating cities, Latin American cities obtain an average of 76 percent of their electricity from clean sources, compared to 59 percent for European cities and 15 percent for cities in the Asia Pacific region.

In general, cities around the world are making significant progress with regard to replacing fossil fuels with low carbon energy. 35 percent of cities reporting their energy mix obtain three quarters of their electricity from non-fossil fuel sources while over a third report having some kind of renewable energy target in place. Santa Monica, San Francisco and Stockholm have all set 100 percent renewable electricity targets.

“I have set the ambitious goal for Stockholm to be not just climate neutral but fossil fuel free by 2040” said Karin Wanngard, mayor of Stockholm. “I am fully aware that the city must excel in all aspects to reach this goal. Stockholm is already an acknowledged global climate leader, where energy consumption decreases, as do emissions and waste. Measuring and reporting our progress are extremely important tools in helping us succeed and to ensure that the City of Stockholm continues to be a frontrunner when it comes to fighting climate change.”

Other major cities are switching to non-fossil fuel electricity. Canberra has committed that by 2020, 90 percent of its electricity supply will be from large-scale renewables, delivering a 40 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The City of Austin has committed to sourcing 55 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025, a goal that the city reports it is on track to meet four years ahead of schedule through energy efficiency programmes and renewables purchase power agreements. Hong Kong reports using financial incentives to encourage power companies to invest in renewable energy.

The data suggests that city transitions to clean power will continue, with 96 cities taking actions to decarbonise their energy supply. These cities also understand the business case for doing so, 86 percent of them identifying economic opportunities from efforts to tackle climate change.

“Transforming the grid is going to be essential to helping cities, and ultimately nations, achieve the carbon reduction goals being called for in Paris in December” said Claire Bonham-Carter, director of sustainable development at AECOM. “City actions such as community choice aggregation, large scale community solar projects and setting targets are moving utilities forward.”

Conor Riffle, director of cities and data innovation at CDP, added that one of the biggest challenges for cities is often their lack of direct control over their electricity or energy generation. Despite this, cities have been finding ways to shake up their energy mix and inspire a move away from fossil fuels. As greenhouse gas emissions continue to mount, it is more important than ever that the world seizes the opportunities of a low carbon future with cities being well-placed to lead the transition.

In other news, Aspen, Colorado, has declared it has become the third US municipality to source all its energy requirements from renewable sources, joining Burlington in Vermont and Greensburg in Kansas.

For additional information:

Global Cities Report 2015

Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)

AECOM

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