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Making cities energy efficient
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| The Hindu , Saturday, September 02, 2006 |
| Correspondent
: Staff Reporter |
| Cities everywhere are trying to renew themselves in ways that will make them more accessible to people. In a world that is warming abnormally, many cities are keen to cut wasteful energy consumption because that leads to increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A laudable step to reduce these emissions was taken recently by 22 of the world's largest cities ranging from London and New York to Delhi and Dhaka. The members of the Large Cities Climate Leadership Group will buy the most energy efficient technologies for lighting, heating, and transport; review building codes to optimally use natural energy; reduce congestion and emission generating road traffic; and generate power using clean technologies. These cities will rely on expertise provided by the Clinton Climate Initiative, a project led by former U.S. President Bill Clinton and his Foundation. They recognise that urgent action is necessary to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases, which many scientists think are causing global warming and changes in climate. Climatologists believe the increasing severity of extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, heat waves, and rising sea levels are traceable to climate change. Such evidence has led to deep concern in the international community that urban settlements, thought to be responsible for 75 per cent of all GHG emissions in the world, will make the situation worse with their steady growth.
Mr. Clinton has observed, sensibly, that on climate change "it doesn't make sense for us to sit back and wait for others to act." The U.S. State of California has taken the lead by legislating curbs on greehouse gas emissions by power plants, refineries, and heavy industry. Cities such as London have started acting to reduce emissions. A good example of intervention is the congestion charge imposed on most private motorised vehicles entering a demarcated zone in the British capital — the levy has brought in funds for public transport and reduced carbon dioxide emissions in the specified area by 19 per cent from 2003 levels, according to Mayor Ken Livingstone. In a big city, buildings and appliances consume the bulk of energy, often wastefully. The Clinton Climate Initiative promises to provide international expertise to stop such profligacy. The business-oriented consortium approach that it advocates will help city governments buy the best technologies at the best price, in the same way the Clinton Foundation negotiated drug purchases and distribution on behalf of those with HIV/AIDS to lower treatment costs. Renewable sources of energy, notably solar, are integral to this vision of clean and sustainable cities. India's urban local bodies can certainly benefit from the Clinton Climate Initiative. Setting up a national climate change agency is overdue. Among other things, it could certify the energy efficiency of building plans and appliances, assess emission impacts of road- building and vehicle-use policies, and recommend tax breaks for renewable energy devices.
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The Hindu, Saturday, September 02, 2006 |
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