Wealthier, healthier cities emerge from climate change initiatives

For press information:

CDP: Catherine von Altheer // communications manager // + 44 (0) 20 7970 5682 // +44 7794 003 903
AECOM: Paul Dickard // Vice president, corporate/external communications // +1  646 432 8473 

While national governments struggle to establish an agreed global climate deal, many of the world’s largest cities have been taking action to combat the effects of a changing climate.  As a result, these cities are cutting their carbon footprint, reporting annual energy savings of up to US$13 million, and their residents are benefitting from healthier living and better business environments.  These and other findings are published today in a new report from CDP.

Wealthier, healthier cities, uses analysis by AECOM, and is presented together with CDP’s long-standing partner, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40).  The report is based on the carbon and water strategies disclosed through CDP’s cities program by 110 urban areas including Stockholm, a C40 city.  It shows that savings from improved energy efficiency dominate the advantages that cities are capitalizing on as they respond to climate change and related impacts such as rising energy costs, with nine cities reporting collective savings of c. US$40 million.  One of every two actions that cities are taking to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions produced by their municipal operations is dedicated to increasing efficiency. 

Further, the initiatives that cities are taking to reduce emissions across their cities are likely to boost the economy, with 62% of these actions having the potential to attract new business investment.  Sao Paulo, Brazil’s most populous city, has already seen the emergence of new industries related to clean technology, including electric and ethanol powered vehicles.  Greater Manchester, one of the UK’s largest urban areas, has seen its low-carbon and environmental goods sector grow 4%, despite the ongoing recession in the UK. 

CDP is an NGO providing cities, companies and investors with the only global environmental disclosure system, driving corporate and government action to transition to sustainable economies.  Conor Riffle, head of CDP’s cities program says: “Cities are hotbeds of innovation, and local governments have been quick to implement many new ways to combat and adapt to climate change and resource scarcity.  These leading cities are enjoying multiple paybacks for their economies and communities.  National governments should pay close attention.”

Gary Lawrence, chief sustainability officer at AECOM, a leading professional technical and management support services firm,says:“We’re seeing expanded participation and evidence of cities better understanding risk avoidance, resilience, and capital investment strategies that create more value, address concerns for human health and link to stronger economic outcomes.”

Having introduced more than 100km of bicycle paths to decrease private vehicle ownership and limit human contribution to climate change, Buenos Aires is one of the majority of cities implementing environmental initiatives that also have a positive lifestyle impact for their citizens.  55% of the cities are undertaking emissions reduction actions that promote walking and cycling, directly and indirectly improving public health. 

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson,says: “Saving energy and using our resources more efficiently is absolutely vital to the sustainability, diversity and full recovery of this city’s economy.  The green sector represents a new area of expertise and innovation for London, providing jobs and attracting investment while significant CO2 reductions can save businesses substantial sums, improve air quality and make the capital a better place to live and work."

Nearly every city in the C40 network of global cities taking action on climate change has participated in the CDP program this year, with many of them leading the way in reporting to CDP for a third consecutive year.  Rohit T. Aggarwala, Special Advisor to the C40 Chair, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg,says: “Mayors are dealing head-on with the need to safeguard their populations, infrastructure and economies from the increasingly severe impacts of climate change. By reporting on their progress C40 Cities are holding themselves and each other accountable for meeting the targets they set, and continuing to demonstrate unprecedented, global leadership in taking real, measurable actions.”

Individual responses from the cities are now available on the CDP website, where the report can be freely downloaded.  CDP and AECOM have also produced an interactive infographic which displays data from all 110 reporting cities, including their greenhouse gas emissions, risks, adaptation actions, and emissions reduction activities.  See the full infographic on the cities pages of CDP’s website.

Ends

Notes to editor

Disclosing cities

Most cities have made their completed climate change questionnaires available to the public.  The responses from those cities are now available on the CDP website.  The 110 cities that took part are listed below.

Africa:    East Asia:

Europe:      Latin America:

North America:    South Asia and Oceania:

About CDP

CDP is an international, not-for-profit organization providing the only global system for companies and cities to measure, disclose, manage and share vital environmental information.  CDP works with market forces, including 722 institutional investors with assets of US$87 trillion, to motivate companies to disclose their impacts on the environment and natural resources and take action to reduce them.  CDP now holds the largest collection globally of primary climate change, water and forest risk commodities information and puts these insights at the heart of strategic business, investment and policy decisions.  Please visit www.cdp.net or follow us @CDP to find out more.

About AECOM

AECOM is a global provider of professional technical and management support services to a broad range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, water and government. With approximately 45,000 employees around the world, AECOM is a leader in all of the key markets that it serves. AECOM provides a blend of global reach, local knowledge, innovation and technical excellence in delivering solutions that create, enhance and sustain the world's built, natural, and social environments. A www.aecom.com

About C40

The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) is a network of large and engaged cities from around the world committed to implementing meaningful and sustainable climate-related actions locally that will help address climate change globally. C40 was established in 2005 and expanded via a partnership in 2006 with President William J. Clinton’s Climate Initiative (CCI).  The current chair of the C40 is New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.  To learn more about the work of C40 and our Cities, please visit http://www.c40.org/.