A new report from the Coalition for Urban Transitions shows that national governments that invest in low-carbon cities can enhance economic prosperity, make cities better places to live and rapidly reduce carbon emissions.
SEI was among 50 institutions that contributed to the report.
The report – Climate Emergency, Urban Opportunity – finds that implementing low-carbon measures in cities would be worth almost US$24 trillion by 2050 and could reduce emissions from cities by 90%. It is the most comprehensive report to date to examine the critical role of national governments in achieving equitable and sustainable economic development in cities, which are home to over half the world’s population and which produce 80% of gross domestic product and three-quarters of carbon emissions.
In particular, SEI researchers looked at how much potential there is to reduce GHG emissions in urban areas, and the role national governments can play in realizing that potential.
Although local governments can do a lot to reduce carbon emissions, climate change still poses a collective action problem.
SEI Senior Scientist Derik Broekhoff, who contributed to the research
The new report concludes that local governments cannot drive the zero-carbon transition on their own, and that national governments must play a critical role. In particular:
The transition to net-zero emissions in cities will require national leadership and engagement, to catalyze the efforts of proactive cities and to replicate similar efforts across all urban areas, large and small.
SEI's Derik Broekhoff
This report also presents six key priorities for actions that national governments can take to seize this opportunity:
Derik Broekhoff, Senior Scientist, SEI US
[email protected] +1 206 547-4000
Emily Yehle, Communications Officer, SEI US
[email protected]+1 202 744-9055 @yehle
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