People-centred climate action delivers more for cities, report finds

(EurActiv, 13 Oct 2022) Cities that engage with citizens and put them at the centre of their climate policies report better outcomes for public health, social integration, the economy, and the environment, according to a new report by CDP released on Thursday (13 October).

Cities are responsible for 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, meaning that shifts in policy and citizen practices in urban areas have the potential to significantly reduce pollution worldwide.

If these policies are people-centred, CDP argues, cities can benefit beyond simply reducing their emissions, with those that take this approach reporting 7 times as many co-benefits as those that don’t.

In key areas like public health, the economy, and the environment, cities with people-centred policies were at least 20% more likely to report co-benefits than the average for all cities surveyed.

Some reported benefits included improved air quality, increased job creation, and better protection for vulnerable populations.

CDP, formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project, is a charity that runs a global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities and governments to manage their environmental impacts.

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EurActiv, 13 Oct 2022: People-centred climate action delivers more for cities, report finds