Four metropolises led by women have written a letter on the future and on the role of cities in the fight against climate change and in creating a more sustainable world.
The next four years will be crucial in determining whether the world will be able to avoid the most catastrophic effects of climate change, keeping the increase in average global temperature below 1.5 degrees Celsius. At a time when the United States has seen a president take office who has called climate change a hoax and a Europe where leaders are distracted by Brexit and populist movements, it is cities and businesses that are driving forward the boldest ideas and most ambitious projects for a sustainable, low-CO2 future.
The message coming from city halls and assemblies around the world is clear. The urgency of the climate crisis and the economic potential of the transition towards a greener future for businesses and cities are concepts so well established that they cannot be called into question by isolationist forces at the national level.
The private sector has taken the challenge seriously and is rapidly shifting to renewable energy thanks to enormous investments in new low-emission technologies. 365 major American companies wrote to United States President Donald Trump to reaffirm their "deep commitment to addressing climate change through the implementation of the historic Paris Agreement". Chinese companies, meanwhile, recently provided the city of Shenzhen with the world's largest electric bus fleet. In 2015, global investment in renewable energy reached 286 million dollars and for the first time more than half of newly installed energy capacity came from renewables.
Mayors too continue to make progress by implementing solutions to climate change through organisations such as C40 and the Global covenant of mayors for climate & energy. And, above all, they understand the scale of the challenges ahead. The world's metropolises must reach peak CO2 emissions by 2020 and reduce per capita emissions from around 5 to 3 tonnes by 2030.
These challenges are immense and urgent. The transition will require 375 billion dollars of investment in sustainable infrastructure across the world's 90 most important cities. Fortunately, efforts to address climate change also present incredible opportunities. Projects aimed at reducing emissions, improving the quality of the air we breathe and building sustainable infrastructure also improve public health, encourage social inclusion and create new jobs.
Cycle-friendly cities are one example. It is now clear that cyclists enjoy health benefits, and those who choose the bike over the car live up to four months longer. Savings in the healthcare system could amount to 65 million dollars in Mexico City alone thanks to cycle lanes. By not using cars, cyclists in that city would avoid emitting nearly 1,190 tonnes of greenhouse gases per year, equivalent to approximately 4.2 million kilometres driven by car.
This is precisely why cities and businesses are working together as never before. Through networks such as C40 and We mean business, they are studying available data and committing to serious, science-based targets to reduce emissions and their environmental impact.
In cities, the future arrives first. It has always been so throughout history, and it remains true today as we face the unprecedented threat of climate change. If we cannot rely on the leadership of our governments, then it will fall to scientists, executives, entrepreneurs and all citizens to bear that weight. Because the consequences of failure would be disastrous, but in the event of success the opportunities would simply be extraordinary.
Translated by Camilla Soldati