National governments urged to get behind cities to win climate fight

(Reuters News, 19 Sep 2019) Cities are vital to limit global warming because they are home to more than half the world's population and generate three-quarters of carbon emissions.

With efforts to make buildings, transport, energy and waste management greener, cities could cut their planet-warming emissions nearly 90% by 2050, producing close to $24 trillion in returns, a coalition of 50 organisations said on Thursday.

But to realise the benefits of investing in low-carbon infrastructure and services, cities both large and small will need support from national governments, which has often been patchy up to now, they added.

Cities are vital to limit global warming because they are home to more than half the world's population, produce 80% of gross domestic product and generate three-quarters of carbon emissions, said a report issued ahead of Monday's U.N. climate action summit.

Low-carbon measures in cities - based on already available technologies such as electric buses - could deliver over half the emissions cuts needed to keep global temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial times, the report said.

"It is possible and realistic to realise net-zero urban emissions by 2050," U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement on the report, which was produced by the Coalition for Urban Transitions.

"But to get there, we will need the full engagement of city governments combined with national action and support."

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Reuters News, 19 Sep 2019: National governments urged to get behind cities to win climate fight