Opinion Author: Nimish Jha Comments
GLOBAL

The COP21 agreement in Paris confirms the nations’ commitments to lowering their carbon emissions and reducing the exponential increase in global temperatures[1]. Its resounding approval does indicate the world's ambition to achieve these commitments to lower levels, and to work together in protecting the planet from the effects of climate change. This spirit of collaboration and cooperation signals the nations’ determination to fight the impacts of climate change. Though these commitments come from the governments at the national level, the achievement of these targets must come from the cities and the local governments. Thus cities will play a very critical role in bringing down these emissions levels and taking concerted local actions to improve their environments.

In today's world cities are growing at a rapid pace. About 54 percent of the world’s population are living in urban areas (UN World Urbanisation Prospects, 2014)[2]. Globally, the UN Habitat group estimated in 2009 that 3 million people moved to cities every week[3]. It is estimated that by 2050, 66 percent of the world's population is projected to be urban. Most of this rapid urbanisation would be taking place in the developing countries. Their consumption patterns and development paths will have tremendous impacts on the environment. Within this framework, the cities acquire a new context and are of critical importance in ensuring the successful execution of the climate agreements.

The literature indicates the positive long term impacts of such initiatives on the cities’ futures and on climate change. A joint study was conducted by the Stockholm Environment Institute and the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group using a scenario analysis of two urban development possibilities for the next 15 years[4]. The first scenario showed that energy-inefficient development of urban areas is capable of "locking in" future emissions of carbon dioxide. The findings showed that 30 percent of the potential carbon dioxide emissions per year were due to transportation systems and urban expansion. The second scenario showed that by following an "aggressive 'urban action' scenario", future emissions could be avoided with careful execution of policies and by incentivising the development of sustainable and green cities. Switching to smart city solutions, based on sustainable and green principles will go a long way towards lowering global temperatures and emissions.

This study highlighted that urban actions could decrease global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 3.7 GtCO2e below what national actions are currently on track to achieve in 2030, and by 8.0 GtCO2e in 2050[5]. It also pin points that cities are in a much better position to make a meaningful impact now, and demonstrate the changes that are possible. In fact, the adoption of green solutions proves to be much more economical over long time periods. This is more so in a situation when high carbon intensive infrastructure would have to be replaced. Today, the cities are showing the way in containing the rising temperature, supporting green technologies and taking actions that have long term impacts for the protection of the environment and the reduction of global temperatures. Most importantly, cities are playing this role by leading the way with low-emissions transport systems, energy-efficient buildings, climate sensitive city systems, green infrastructure and resilient neighbourhoods. There are ample examples of cities worldwide adopting green building codes, clean energy solutions, public transport and integrating resilience into capital investments.

The cities, by leveraging their infrastructure and their environments[SL1] , are creating opportunities to make them climate sensitive and minimise their vulnerabilities. While the cities are important contributors to achieving national targets for lowering carbon emissions and minimising global temperatures, achieving it would require more financial outlay and the appropriate technologies. The process of urbanisation in developing countries needs much support, on both fronts, to enable them to be active partners in meeting these targets. Cities have to devise strategies for innovative financing mechanisms; develop strict policies and look for appropriate sustainable solutions that facilitate cleaner environments and help their national governments in achieving the targets of COP21. The role of the community becomes very important here, as every decision affects them the most. Hence, it becomes very important that community participation is encouraged and institutionalised in the local bodies. Beside, all the levels of government must work in tandem to achieve the national targets.

Though these might slow down the process of cities meeting their targets, COP21 has shown that cities have the foresight to anticipate the need to lower carbon emissions and minimising global temperatures, which is now accepted as a target to be achieved by all the nations. The COP21 provides a unique opportunity for the national governments to provide strong support to the cities through collaboration, leadership and enough financial support in their mission to achieve a climate resilient world.

 

 


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