100% Renewable Energy for Cities is possible

100% Renewable Energy for Cities is possible

Rio de Janeiro/Hamburg, 24.03.2010. Climate change is to a large degree caused by the fossil fuel consumption by cities and is a huge threat to urban areas at the same time. It is alarming that neither industrialised nor developing countries have coherent strategies for efficient, renewable energy supply for their cities. And there is little sign of appropriate, practical measures being taken.

A Seven-Point-Plan, which encourages cities to set their own goal at 100% renewable energy supply, is the core element of the report “100% Renewable Energy – and Beyond - for Cities”. This was presented by the World Future Council and Hamburg’s HafenCity University at the biggest global cities summit, the World Urban Forum, in Rio de Janeiro today.

Stefan Schurig, Head of Climate and Energy at the World Future Council: “If we do not succeed in the next few years in making a U-turn in metropolitan energy supply it will be impossible to tackle climate change effectively. Some 75% of global consumption of resources, including fossil fuels, occurs in and around cities. Hence it is absolutely essential that every city deals with the urgency of the issue at hand and sets itself 100% renewable energy supply targets and appropriate implementation strategies. Our Seven-Point-Plan aims to help cities to formulate suitable strategies according to their individual circumstances and locations.”

The plan addresses the need for regulatory measures as well as incentives at urban and national levels. Options that involve private businesses and facilitate planning and permission processes are also explored. In addition to renewable energy development the report stresses the benefits of so-called “carbon sinks”, for example the targeted development of green areas for CO2 capture and storage. It emphasises the importance of education and well targeted information for the general public.

The report proposes appropriate measures that can be carried out within a city. However, for larger cities and metropolitan areas it also explores the potential supply of renewable energy from their hinterland or from further afield.

The report was initiated by the joint commission on Cities and Climate Change of the World Future Council and Hamburg’s HafenCity University. It was written by commission member Prof. Peter Droege and Anis Radzi from the University of Liechtenstein in collaboration with Nancy Carlisle, US National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Stefan Lechtenböhmer, Wuppertal Institute, and Herbert Girardet, Director of Programmes at the World Future Council. The full report can be downloaded as a PDF-document from the World Future Council website at http://worldfuturecouncil.org/publications.html.

World Future Council
The World Future Council brings the interests of future generations to the centre of policy making. Its up to 50 eminent members from around the globe have already successfully promoted change. The Council addresses challenges to our common future and provides decision-makers with effective policy solutions. In-depth research underpins advocacy work for international agreements, regional policy frameworks and national lawmaking and thus produces practical and tangible results.

ENDS

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