“30 of the world’s largest & most influential cities have peaked greenhouse gas emissions”

London (eBay, UK)

Two thirds of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050 according to the UN. So it could be cities that can drive climate change mitigation. Many C40 mayors get it and are doing just that. “C40 is a network of the world’s megacities committed to addressing climate change. C40 supports cities to collaborate effectively, share knowledge and drive meaningful, measurable and sustainable action on climate change.” (C40: About).

“Austin, Athens, Lisbon, and Venice are the latest C40 major cities to have peaked their greenhouse gas emissions. The world’s leading scientists have calculated that global greenhouse gas emissions must peak by 2020 in order to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C.” (C40)

The 30 C40 large and influential cities that have peaked greenhouse gas emissions include: Athens, Austin, Barcelona, Berlin, Boston, Chicago, Copenhagen, Heidelberg, Lisbon, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Melbourne, Milan, Montréal, New Orleans, New York City, Oslo, Paris, Philadelphia, Portland, Rome, San Francisco, Stockholm, Sydney, Toronto, Vancouver, Venice, Warsaw, and Washington, D.C. (C40)

“C40 analysis shows that, since reaching peak emissions levels, these 30 cities have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 22 percent. Copenhagen, the host city for this year’s C40 World Mayors Summit, has reduced emissions by up to 61 percent.” (C40). Cities will shape our future because not only do they need to reduce emissions, they need to address air pollution and find sustainable ways of existing.

Further reading:
- 30 of the world’s largest & most influential cities have peaked greenhouse gas emissions. C40, October 8, 2019.
See also:
- Amsterdam joins a list of 20 cities/territories and 10 countries planning to ban fossil fuel vehicles. Using Renewables, May 7, 2019.
- The city of the future will depend on reimagining our lifestyles. CleanTechnica, November 11, 2019.