In our fast paced, evolving world public policy is often completely focused on growing economies, technology, and improving life. Unfortunately, this happens too often at the cost of the environment. The Carbon Disclosure Project works to reform this way of the world by working with cities to come up with ways of improving the way they operate.
The Carbon Disclosure Project recently released a report, Wealthier Healthier Cities; in this study they found that by tackling climate change, not only have cities improved their sustainability, but have also improved their economies and the well-being of their citizens. The economic successes are, of course, what will be most attractive to cities and hopefully motivate them to become a part of this movement. The report found many examples of success that can serve as models for other cities to follow in the green footsteps of their predecessors.
Energy efficiency is closely tied to cost efficiency, from the cities’ perspective. Reducing energy demand in buildings, improving fuel efficiency in municipal fleets, and lowering energy consumption and maintenance coasts of outdoor lighting were found by the CDP to be the top three things cities can do to improve efficiency. Cities are doing little things that translate to big differences in energy consumption as well as cost. The report cites that, “One out of every two actions that cities are taking to reduce emissions in their municipal operations is focused on efficiency. Cities report over $40 million in savings per year from tackling climate change.”
Sydney, Australia chose to focus on electricity consumption, especially in the case of public lighting. The city found that one third of its electricity use came from public lighting. With the goal of cutting costs and becoming more energy efficient, the city implemented LED technology to replace old light sources. This effort will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) but will also cause the city to save about $800,000 each year. Washington D.C., Cape Town, and St. Louis are all retrofitting municipal buildings to improve efficiency.
As clean and efficient as a city is, it needs businesses to prosper. Pietermaritzburg, South Africa has come to realize that, “A city that is not paying attention to climate change will not be able to attract investors because the business environment is not conducive for sustainability.” Global warming is now understood by the world as an important issue. Whether individuals believe in the phenomenon or not, it cannot be denied that reduction of GHG and improving energy efficiency is critical to many businesses. Today’s businesses gain investors and build their reputation by marketing themselves as “ecofriendly”. As such, they search for locations for their businesses based on what certain cities can offer them. Cities in turn support businesses that they believe will be a good reflection of their community.
In this area, the CDP’s report points to New York City, saying that its “energy efficiency initiatives will result in new clean tech businesses”. Changwon, South Korea has a plan “to utilize sewage sludge for bus fuel and to install solar power plants in unused areas” which will hopefully increase business growth. Cities that have become more “ecofriendly” and energy efficient have experienced economic growth in very little time. Cities in the United Kingdom have seen economic success as well. More specifically, greater Manchester’s 2000 businesses (employing 37,000 people) that supply low carbon goods and services in the city have experienced positive growth. “Low carbon and environmental goods and services sectors are growing at over 4 percent, despite the ongoing UK recession”, the report stated. São Paulo, Brazil has also seen the “arrival and development of an industry that promotes environmentally friendly goods and services, such as the clean energy industry associated with ethanol and electrical vehicles.” Whether it is the development of new business industries, increased attention to other environmental concerns, efficiency of operations, infrastructure investments, or energy security, cities have reported improvements in all these areas.
It has been reported that with improvements in energy efficiency and economic growth comes the improvement in the well-being and quality of life of citizens. As the CDP found, “More than half of reporting cities (55 percent) are undertaking emissions reduction actions that promote walking and cycling, which directly and indirectly lead to improved public health. And over three-quarters of cities’ reported adaptation actions will protect human health from the negative effects of climate change.” Natural disasters caused by climate change are a threat to infrastructure, the economy, and citizen life, so many cities are reevaluating their disaster preparations. Infrastructure improvements implemented to solve problems and address natural disasters, such as flooding due to rising sea levels, preemptively end up not only curbing concerns but also improving current programs, including water quality.
Cities are taking initiatives to encourage the things that can be controlled by people—lifestyle changes. Buenos Aires, Argentina is being proactive and promoting healthier lifestyles by implementing bike paths and trails for citizens and improving public transportation, which lessens the number of cars on the roads. Less traffic translates to less emission and better air quality. “Bearing in mind the benefits of a city with fewer private cars and more bicycles, regarding travel time, air quality, population health, among others, the city has launched zero interest rate loans for bike purchases”, says the Argentina section of the report.
As the CDP concludes, it is evident that a link exists between “mitigating climate change and broader economic, social, and environmental benefits”. Although the data presented by the CDP is quite preliminary and more research must be done to look at long term results, it can be said that cities need to look at their own situation and how climate change efforts can help them.
This article was originally published in the Diplomatic Courier's November/December 2013 print edition.
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Climate Change Improving Cities and Lives
December 13, 2013
In our fast paced, evolving world public policy is often completely focused on growing economies, technology, and improving life. Unfortunately, this happens too often at the cost of the environment. The Carbon Disclosure Project works to reform this way of the world by working with cities to come up with ways of improving the way they operate.
The Carbon Disclosure Project recently released a report, Wealthier Healthier Cities; in this study they found that by tackling climate change, not only have cities improved their sustainability, but have also improved their economies and the well-being of their citizens. The economic successes are, of course, what will be most attractive to cities and hopefully motivate them to become a part of this movement. The report found many examples of success that can serve as models for other cities to follow in the green footsteps of their predecessors.
Energy efficiency is closely tied to cost efficiency, from the cities’ perspective. Reducing energy demand in buildings, improving fuel efficiency in municipal fleets, and lowering energy consumption and maintenance coasts of outdoor lighting were found by the CDP to be the top three things cities can do to improve efficiency. Cities are doing little things that translate to big differences in energy consumption as well as cost. The report cites that, “One out of every two actions that cities are taking to reduce emissions in their municipal operations is focused on efficiency. Cities report over $40 million in savings per year from tackling climate change.”
Sydney, Australia chose to focus on electricity consumption, especially in the case of public lighting. The city found that one third of its electricity use came from public lighting. With the goal of cutting costs and becoming more energy efficient, the city implemented LED technology to replace old light sources. This effort will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) but will also cause the city to save about $800,000 each year. Washington D.C., Cape Town, and St. Louis are all retrofitting municipal buildings to improve efficiency.
As clean and efficient as a city is, it needs businesses to prosper. Pietermaritzburg, South Africa has come to realize that, “A city that is not paying attention to climate change will not be able to attract investors because the business environment is not conducive for sustainability.” Global warming is now understood by the world as an important issue. Whether individuals believe in the phenomenon or not, it cannot be denied that reduction of GHG and improving energy efficiency is critical to many businesses. Today’s businesses gain investors and build their reputation by marketing themselves as “ecofriendly”. As such, they search for locations for their businesses based on what certain cities can offer them. Cities in turn support businesses that they believe will be a good reflection of their community.
In this area, the CDP’s report points to New York City, saying that its “energy efficiency initiatives will result in new clean tech businesses”. Changwon, South Korea has a plan “to utilize sewage sludge for bus fuel and to install solar power plants in unused areas” which will hopefully increase business growth. Cities that have become more “ecofriendly” and energy efficient have experienced economic growth in very little time. Cities in the United Kingdom have seen economic success as well. More specifically, greater Manchester’s 2000 businesses (employing 37,000 people) that supply low carbon goods and services in the city have experienced positive growth. “Low carbon and environmental goods and services sectors are growing at over 4 percent, despite the ongoing UK recession”, the report stated. São Paulo, Brazil has also seen the “arrival and development of an industry that promotes environmentally friendly goods and services, such as the clean energy industry associated with ethanol and electrical vehicles.” Whether it is the development of new business industries, increased attention to other environmental concerns, efficiency of operations, infrastructure investments, or energy security, cities have reported improvements in all these areas.
It has been reported that with improvements in energy efficiency and economic growth comes the improvement in the well-being and quality of life of citizens. As the CDP found, “More than half of reporting cities (55 percent) are undertaking emissions reduction actions that promote walking and cycling, which directly and indirectly lead to improved public health. And over three-quarters of cities’ reported adaptation actions will protect human health from the negative effects of climate change.” Natural disasters caused by climate change are a threat to infrastructure, the economy, and citizen life, so many cities are reevaluating their disaster preparations. Infrastructure improvements implemented to solve problems and address natural disasters, such as flooding due to rising sea levels, preemptively end up not only curbing concerns but also improving current programs, including water quality.
Cities are taking initiatives to encourage the things that can be controlled by people—lifestyle changes. Buenos Aires, Argentina is being proactive and promoting healthier lifestyles by implementing bike paths and trails for citizens and improving public transportation, which lessens the number of cars on the roads. Less traffic translates to less emission and better air quality. “Bearing in mind the benefits of a city with fewer private cars and more bicycles, regarding travel time, air quality, population health, among others, the city has launched zero interest rate loans for bike purchases”, says the Argentina section of the report.
As the CDP concludes, it is evident that a link exists between “mitigating climate change and broader economic, social, and environmental benefits”. Although the data presented by the CDP is quite preliminary and more research must be done to look at long term results, it can be said that cities need to look at their own situation and how climate change efforts can help them.
This article was originally published in the Diplomatic Courier's November/December 2013 print edition.
