Empowering cities for a net zero future: Unlocking resilient, smart, sustainable urban energy systems

A more sustainable future that limits the effects of climate change requires stronger commitment from governments to accelerate clean energy transitions. Global energy-related CO₂ emissions are set to surge by 1.5 billion tonnes in 2021 the second largest increase in recorded history reversing most of the decline in emissions in 2020 caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. There is an imperative to act without further delay to keep net-zero emissions by 2050 within reach. As of 23 April 2021, 44 countries and the European Union have pledged to meet a net-zero emissions target; in total they account for around 70% of global CO₂ emissions and GDP. Worldwide, over 10 000 cities and local governments representing more than 900 million people have committed to combat climate change under the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy. By 2030, Global Covenant cities and local governments could account for an annual emissions reduction of 2.3 billion tonnes of CO₂.

Cities are also looking towards COP26 in Glasgow as a critical milestone in their climate journeys. As of May 2021, 708 cities have joined UNFCCC’s “Race to Zero” campaign ahead of COP26. Cities joining the campaign have pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and start implementing projects to achieve their targets by 2022. According to the IEA Net-Zero Emissions Scenario, in order to reach net-zero
emissions by 2050, annual clean energy investment worldwide would need to more than triple in the next ten years to over USD 4 trillion, requiring drastic transformation. This could see public EV charging infrastructure increase from 1.3 million to 40 million units by 2030, deep retrofit rates more than double by 2030, and solar PV capacity rise twenty-fold by 2050. Meanwhile, electricity demand in emerging economies is expected to grow in parallel with economic development over the coming years. As living conditions improve and extreme weather events become more frequent, so demand for energy consuming appliances will increase, especially air conditioners. This demand will be especially high in cities. About 90% of the urban population growth expected by 2050 occurs in Asia and Africa. Hence, improving the efficiency, security and flexibility of urban energy systems will be critical to preventing growth in carbon emissions. This requires a deep transformation of the electricity sector enabled by
digitalisation.

source:

https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2021/08/empowering-cities-for-a-net-zero-future_ba2da4c0/7a222c8b-en.pdf