The new report, The Future of Urban Consumption in a 1.5°C World, which produced by C40 Cities in partnership with Arup and the University of Leeds, cautions that urban consumption-based emissions must be cut by at least 50 per cent by 2030 if we are to keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C. High-income areas, which are responsible for the bulk of consumption-based emissions, need to cut their emissions much faster – two-thirds by 2030, according to a C40 Cities press release.
The report focused on six sectors – food, construction, clothing, vehicles, aviation and electronics – and found there is significant potential to cut consumption-based emissions in all of them.
For instance, cities could reduce consumption-based emissions from buildings and infrastructure by 26 per cent by 2030 by introducing regulations and incentives to use less building materials, ensuring all buildings are being used to their full capacity and consequently reducing the need for new buildings, or switching to lower-impact materials such as sustainable timber.
Consumption-based emissions from private transport could be reduced by 28 per cent by 2030 by strengthening public transport, making shared or hire car access in cities easy and cost-effective, or working with manufacturers to maximize car lifespans and increase materials efficiency.
“This is a wake-up call for all leaders, business, and citizens to consider both the local and global climate impact of the things they consume, and an opportunity to better engage citizens and businesses in solving the climate emergency,” said Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40 Cities.
“This research clearly demonstrates that changing the way we consume could make a significant contribution to cutting emissions.”
