Cambridge Business Association
The Economic Case for Low Carbon Cities
Report

The Economic Case for Low Carbon Cities

Andy Gouldson, Sarah Colenbrander, Faye McAnulla, Andrew Sudmant, Niall Kerr, Paola Sakai, Stephen Hall, Effie Papargyropoulou and Johan Kuylenstierna
SEI, 2014
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Editorial Rating

7

Recommendation

Lowering cities’ carbon emissions would be a crucial contribution to fighting climate change. But are low-carbon development models financially viable for cash-strapped cities? The Stockholm Environment Institute has prepared a report based on several studies of cities in both developing and developed countries. Yes, it argues, reducing emissions can be cost-neutral or even save cities money. getAbstract recommends this analysis to environmentalists, policy makers and ecofriendly investors. 

Summary

Sustainable urban development requires economically attractive low-carbon development measures. Researchers developed a list of region-specific, low-carbon measures for five cities and estimated their carbon savings (compared with business-as-usual, or BAU, levels) and economic effects. Apart from reducing the cities’ footprints, the measures could save them money beyond the payback period.

  1. Leeds, United Kingdom – In a low-carbon development plan, Leeds’s antiquated infrastructure would likely need an overhaul. Most buildings have bad insulation, and Leeds...

About the Authors

The Stockholm Environment Institute is an independent international research organization that has been engaged in environment and development issues at local, national, regional and global policy levels for more than 25 years.

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