Of the more than 570 global cities that report to CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), more than 100 now get at least 70% of their electricity from renewable sources such as hydro, geothermal, solar, and wind, according to a new CDP report released on Tuesday.
The list includes large cities such as Auckland, New Zealand; Nairobi, Kenya; Oslo, Norway; and Vancouver, Canada. Hobart was the only Australian city to make the list.
CDP—which runs a global disclosure system that enables companies, cities, states, and regions to measure and manage their environmental impacts—expects to see more cities targeting a clean energy future.
“By reporting to CDP, cities can better understand their impact, share knowledge and best practice, and use the information gathered to set ambitious renewable energy targets,” CDP said.
According to the World Economic Forum, unsubsidised renewables were the cheapest source of electricity in 30 countries last year. Moreover, renewables are predicted to be consistently more cost effective than fossil fuels globally by 2020.
The new data was released ahead of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) conference, to be held in Edmonton, Canada, on March 5. City government and science leaders plan to brainstorm on how cities around the globe can tackle climate change at the conference.
While Australians should be proud that Hobart generates over 70% of its energy from renewables, Angus Jones, general manager of marketing at LG Electronics Australia, wants to see more Australian cities join the list.
“We are seeing Australians increasingly turning to solar to power their homes and businesses due to cost savings, environmental concerns and for power continuity. Australian cities should look to follow the example already set by so many Australians and make the switch to renewable energy sources,” Jones said.
“From ample sunlight we receive for solar, to the open spaces and bodies of water for wind and hydro energy, Australia is blessed with enough natural resources for every city in Australia to get its energy primarily from renewables.”
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