Thread by @s_colenbrander

CHAPTER: The pathway to inclusive, zero-carbon cities.

To hold temperature increases to no more than 1.5°C, science tells us that cities everywhere must reach net-zero CO2 emissions by mid-century. The #UrbanOpportunity report shows how to achieve that.

Deploying proven low-carbon measures in cities could cut emissions from key urban sectors by 90%. These carbon savings equate to the energy-related emissions of China🇨🇳 and the U.S.🇺🇸 combined - more than half the energy-related emission reductions needed to be on a 2°C pathway.

@DBroekhoff @SEIclimate Nearly ¾ of potential emission reductions are in non-OECD countries. Chinese cities account for 22% & Indian cities for 12%.

Plus over half of all the urban abatement potential is in small cities (<750,000 people), which often lack the power & capacities to take climate action.

@DBroekhoff @SEIclimate Together, this bundle of low-carbon measures would serve to make cities more:
✅ Compact
✅ Connected
✅ Clean

A zero-carbon city would not only be more sustainable, but more liveable with cleaner air, safer streets and more comfortable homes.

@DBroekhoff @SEIclimate In short – compact, connected, clean cities could simultaneously deliver a better of quality of life while tackling the climate emergency.

@DBroekhoff @SEIclimate @NaokoIshiiGEF @theGEF And if we don’t act? Cities are at the frontlines of climate change.🌊🌊🌊

820 million people live less than 10 metres above sea level, and nearly 90% of those people lived in urban centres or quasi-urban clusters.

In other words - sea-level rise is primarily an urban threat.

@DBroekhoff @SEIclimate @NaokoIshiiGEF @theGEF @CUNY @IDS_UK @ciesin The vast majority of people living in these vulnerable, low-elevation coastal zones are in Asian cities. Climate hazards such as storm surges, tropical cyclones and sea-level rise will devastate low-lying megacities such as Bangkok, Dhaka, Jakarta, Kolkata and Shanghai.

@DBroekhoff @SEIclimate @NaokoIshiiGEF @theGEF @CUNY @IDS_UK @ciesin How can national governments seize the #UrbanOpportunity to boost living standards and tackle the #ClimateEmergency? Check out our six-part action plan for national governments, a joint effort of over fifty institutions: urbantransitions.global/urban-opportun…

@DBroekhoff @SEIclimate @NaokoIshiiGEF @theGEF @CUNY @IDS_UK @ciesin With warm thanks to the experts who shaped this chapter on a pathway to inclusive, zero-carbon cities:

✴️ @AdrianaLoboWRI
✴️ @hl_clarkson
✴️ @RMHuxley
✴️ Sue Parnell from @UrbanAfricaACC
✴️ @Smithster76
✴️ @samanthajcsmith