The mayors of ten of the largest cities in the United States have said they are ready to take radical action to make major cuts to carbon pollution.
They say investing in energy efficiency schemes at city level could collectively save them $1 billion a year, cut carbon pollution equal to annual emissions from four power plants, or 1.5 million cars and improve the quality of life for urban residents by reducing energy bills and improving air quality.
Environmental news website RTCC reports the city chiefs have all signed up to the City Energy Project (CEP).
The Natural Resources Defence Council and the Washington-based Institute for Market Transformation back the project.
“More energy efficiency means new jobs and continued economic growth, and a more sustainable City, which will lead to a further increase in the quality of life for the people of Chicago.” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, formerly President Barack Obama’s Whitehouse chief of staff.
RTCC reports the cities that have signed up are Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Orlando, Philadelphia and Salt Lake City, covering around 20 million people.
Buildings contribute around 40 per cent to the US’s greenhouse gas emissions, a figure that increases to 75 per cent in cities.
According to the Whitehouse, 25 US states currently have energy efficiency plans, while 35 have renewable energy targets.
Raising efficiency standards and lowering barriers for investment were two key goals in President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, released last summer.
Specific targets include ensuring commercial buildings reduce energy waste 20 per cent by 2020, and cutting energy use 2.5 per cent annually.
RTCC reports the US has pledged to cut its emissions 17 per cent on 2005 levels by 2020, but President Obama is under pressure to deliver a higher target for 2030 when countries start their final negotiations for a global climate change deal set to be signed in Paris in December 2015.
Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who is one of the main backers of the CEP initiative, said it would allow US cities to boost economic productivity and accelerate development by working together.
“New York City’s sustainability efforts are a major reason our greenhouse gas emissions are down 19 per cent since 2007 and our air is cleaner than it has been in more than 50 years. They have also substantially driven down energy costs for consumers,” he said.
Together with the influential Natural Resources Defence Council, the project boasts strong backing from business, including Goldman Sachs, UTC Building and Industrial Systems and CBRE, the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm.
Leaders of 40 of the world’s major cities meet next week in the South African city of Johannesburg for the C40 Mayor’s Summit.
Globally urban areas are responsible for around 80 per cent of carbon emissions, and C40 data indicates that C40 Cities are on track to reduce their collective annual emissions by 248 million tonnes by 2020.
UN climate chief Christiana Figueres, who will attend the meeting, said the role of Mayors in generating national action would be increasingly critical as the deadline for a UN deal in 2015 draws closer.
“Only by concertedly contributing to the growing groundswell of climate action can we meet the needs of current citizens and the expectations of future generations,” she added.
