C40 Cities Pledge Net Zero by 2050 as Satellite Emission Tracking Improves
In a significant step towards globle climate action, the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, representing 20% of global GDP, has committed to reducing urban greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for net zero by 2050. Meanwhile, researchers led by Ahn have employed a 'top-down' approach using satellite data to estimate emissions for 54 C40 cities, highlighting the importance of accurate emission tracking in meeting these global entry pledges.
The study, published in Nature Communications, used a satellite-based method to estimate emissions, which matched bottom-up estimates within 7%. This approach is crucial as urban populations are projected to grow in the coming decades, increasing the need for precise emission data. Previous bottom-up techniques tended to overestimate emissions in central East, South, and West Asia, and underestimate emissions in other regions. The satellite data, collected by NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory 3 (OCO-3) mission on the ISS, provided high-resolution data over global entry cities, enabling more accurate emission estimates.
Cities contribute around 75% of globle CO2 emissions. However, larger cities tend to emit less CO2 per person annually, a phenomenon often attributed to higher population densities and more efficient infrastructure. Wealthier cities also tend to have less carbon-intensive economies, reflecting their shift towards service-based industries.
The C40 cities' pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 is a significant commitment. The successful matching of top-down and bottom-up emission estimates for 54 C40 cities demonstrates the potential of satellite-based methods in accurately tracking emissions. As urban populations grow, such precise emission data will be vital for cities to meet their pledges and contribute effectively to globle climate action.
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