Significant commitments have already been made by cities globally to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This research report aggregates the existing commitments of 228 cities. It is intended to demonstrate the scale of emissions reductions that cities can achieve, to catalyse increased collaboration amongst cities, and to inspire more ambitious targets and greater action for climate change mitigation.
The research estimates that cumulative emissions savings by cities could reach 13.0 GtCO2e by 2050, compared with business as usual. This is equivalent to the combined current annual emissions of China and India.
The research was conducted by Arup and C40, in partnership with ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, United Cities and Local Governments, UN Habitat, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change and the World Resources Institute.
The report was launched by Mayor Tau, City of Johannesburg, at the UN Climate Summit in New York, 23 September 2014.
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Based on data from 228 cities representing 436 million people
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Outlines the proposed reduction in cumulative and annual emissions saved compared with a business as usual scenario for the years 2020, 2030 and 2050 (measured in MtCO2e/yr)
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Compares both the scale of ambition and the time period chosen
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Predicts when the greatest impact will be felt
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Details case studies which demonstrate how cities are achieving their commitments
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Describes the methodology used to aggregate cities’ emissions