Cities can cut emissions to nearly zero, says Siemens

clipped from www.energyefficiencynews.com Cities can cut their CO2 emissions by up to 90% by 2050 through energy efficiency measures and renewable energy, according to a study commissioned by Siemens. The study by the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, Sustainable Urban Infrastructure: Munich – Paths toward a Carbon-Free Future, looked at how energy efficiency measures – particularly in buildings – could cut emissions in the German city of Munich. City populations are growing – currently 50% of the world’s population lives in cities but this is expected to climb to 60% over the next 15 years. “Not only are urban areas the major culprit in terms of climate change; they’re also the place where the consequences will be felt most clearly,” explains Reinhold Achatz of Siemens. Homes and businesses could also switch to energy-efficient appliances and lighting. The resulting energy savings would mean that the entire city’s electricity demand could be met by renewable sources.