Climate Action Tool launched

AECOM has helped develop a tool that makes it easier for any city — irrespective of size — to develop a tailored climate change action plan. Created in partnership with the World Bank and C40 Cities and known as CURB (Climate Action for Urban Sustainability), it provides cities with strategic analysis on the impact of energy-use interventions and helps them identify and prioritise low-carbon actions.

CURB will be used by member cities of the Compact of Mayors, the world’s largest coalition of more than 500 city leaders who are committed to reducing urban sources of greenhouse gas emissions.

“Cities in Australia and New Zealand have been at the forefront of global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for over 20 years. Community expectations regarding information provision, accountability and leadership have steadily increased during this time, with support for climate action higher now than at any time in the last 8 years according to The Climate Institute,” said Will Symons, head of resilience and sustainability at AECOM Australia & New Zealand and 100 Resilient Cities program advisor.

According to the World Bank, by 2050, cities will be home to more than two-thirds of the world’s 10 billion people. They account for approximately three-quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions.

“Cities are the key climate change battleground. The challenge is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each city has its own set of specific demographics, conditions and realities that will shape its ability to act. Additionally, as cities continue to take action to reduce emissions, the ability to produce clear business cases for investment becomes increasingly important, as the low or no cost actions have, in many cases, already been implemented,” said Symons.

“CURB is an important decision-making framework for any city committed to informing its residents about current emission levels and developing strategies that deliver results.”

2016 CDP Cities Report

The launch of CURB coincides with the release of a new report published by CDP and AECOM: It takes a city: The case for collaborative climate action.

This year 533 cities disclosed climate-related data through CDP; the vast majority of these cities identified over 1000 economic opportunities linked to climate change, including 299 (56%) cities that report seeing potential in developing new businesses and industry sectors, in partnership with the private sector.

The report examines the emerging business case for city governments to collaborate with companies, investors and regional governments to mitigate the impact of climate change. The key climate-related areas where cities are seeking private-sector involvement are energy efficiency/retrofits, renewable energy and transport. Of the 190 cities with emissions reduction targets, 74% are already working closely with business to achieve them.

Maia Kutner, head of cities at CDP, said: “Our report shows that cities do not need to go it alone when it comes to responding to climate change. They are recognising there is power in numbers, which is why so many came together to form the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy this June. By partnering with the private sector, cities can not only spur the growth of new markets, they can deliver even greater emissions reductions. Tackling climate change is an enormous business opportunity. The time has come for cities to seize it.”

Sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the CDP report examines the emerging business case for city governments to collaborate with companies, investors and regional governments on addressing climate change.

Commenting on the 2016 CDP Cities report, AECOM Australia & New Zealand’s Will Symons said, “AECOM has been working with the CDP to analyse and prepare the annual report for the past five years, and this year we have seen a huge increase in the level of engagement, with 70% more cities taking part.

“Action by cities will be essential to achieving the ambitious goals of the Paris Agreement, and they will need to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders to substantially reduce emissions, adapt to the effects of climate change and benefit economically and socially from a low carbon environment.

“Here in Australia there are some great examples of collaboration already underway. The South Australian State Government has introduced building upgrade loans to support commercial building owners who want to improve the energy, water and environmental efficiency of existing buildings. In Victoria, the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project has brought together local government, universities and the private sector to purchase 110 GWh of renewable energy.

“It is clear that the economic opportunity from collaboration for cities, businesses and investors is substantial. This year’s CDP report captures some great initiatives that show what can be achieved when businesses and cities join forces to take climate change actions,” said Symons.