C40 Releases Groundbreaking Research on the Importance and Impact of Cities on Climate Change
By C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, PRNEMonday, May 30, 2011
SAO PAULO, June 1, 2011 -
- Greenhouse gas emissions and analysis of climate change actions across
over 40 megacities is reported for the first time
The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) released
(live.c40cities.org/storage/C40%20Releases%20Groundbreaking%20Research
%20on%20the%20Importance%20and%20Impact%20of%20Cities%20on%20Climate%20
Change.pdf) two landmark reports today that emphasize the critical role of
measurement and transparency in tackling climate change in megacities. The
reports, released during the C40 Cities Mayors Summit in Sao Paulo (May 31 -
June 2), demonstrate the current and potential impact of cities confronting
climate change and opportunities to build a low carbon future - helping
Cities to focus future activity on areas that will accelerate mitigation and
adaptation.
"I firmly believe that if you can't measure it, you can't manage it,"
said C40 Chair, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. "That is true in
business and it is true in government. Only by regularly and rigorously
measuring and analyzing our efforts can we learn what works, what doesn't and
why, and take effective action."
Cities are responsible for consuming two-thirds of the world's energy.
The 58 C40 Cities globally represent 1 in 12 people, 12% of C02 emissions and
21% of GDP. To enable these cities to better measure both current successes
and assess future opportunities for action to address climate change, the C40
developed two studies in partnership with two leading organizations in the
field, the Carbon Disclosure Project (www.cdproject.net) (CDP) and
Arup (www.arup.com).
The two reports, CDP Cities 2011: Global Report on C40 Cities
(c40citieslive.squarespace.com/storage/resources/CDP_Cities2011_FINAL_Lowress.pdf)
and Climate Action in Megacities: C40 Cities Baseline and
Opportunities
(live.c40cities.org/storage/ARUP%20REPORT%20-%20Climate%20Action%20inb%20Megacities.pdf),
demonstrate the impact cities can have in confronting
global climate change. Providing a measurement baseline and a management
tool, the studies will enable C40 Cities to set targets, evaluate actions and
access resources. The studies will also inform the strategic direction of C40
programs and initiatives, helping the organization to connect cities with
similar profiles and agendas.
For more information about the reports and the Summit, please visit C40
Cities Live (live.c40cities.org), the official blog of the C40 Cities
Mayors Summit.
About C40 Cities
The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) is an organization of large
and engaged Cities from around the world committed to implementing meaningful
and sustainable climate-related actions locally that will help address
climate change globally. The fourth biennial C40 Cities Mayors Summit in Sao
Paulo, Brazil (May 31 - June 2, 2011) brings together over 70 of the world's
largest cities for three days to advance urban solutions to the climate
crisis. To learn more about the work of C40 cities, please visit
www.c40cities.org.
Media Contacts for C40: Michael Marinello, mmarinello at c40.com, +1-425-894-1781, or Olivia Ross, oross at clintonfoundation.org, +44-7944-931-775; Media Contact for ARUP: James Kenny, +44-20-7755-3720, james.kenny at arup.com; Media Contact for CDP: Lisa Lee, +44-20-7415-7196, Lisa.Lee at cdproject.net
Tags: Brazil, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, June 1, Sao paulo