Local Projects Share Success Stories at COP16

Feature photo of the COP16 logo courtesy of cc2010.mx/en. 

As part of the 16th annual, international climate talks, the Alliance and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy co-hosted a COP16 side-event that explored energy-efficient, local projects that had significant economic and environmental benefits in cities around the world. “Energy-Efficient Cities: Local Projects Delivering Global Climate Benefits” was held on Dec. 1 in Cancun, Mexico. 

Two panels of experts, representing a mix of industry, financing institutions, and local and national governments, highlighted the key role that cities play in worldwide energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and presented examples of local-level initiatives that have successfully addressed climate change through energy efficiency.

Alliance First Vice-Chair Bob Dixon of Siemens Industry, Inc. shared trends in energy use.

Cities Key in Reducing Emissions

Taking action at the municipal level is increasingly critical, since urban areas — which will house 60 percent of the world’s population by 2030 — account for 80 percent of GHG emissions and will bear 80 percent of the costs of adapting to the changing climate. Recent estimates show that investments in energy efficiency can result in $3 trillion of avoided investment in new capacity in developed countries, and can reduce energy demand in the developing world by 25 percent in the next 10 years.  

As world leaders gather at COP16 to discuss strategies for controlling GHG emissions, events such Energy-Efficient Cities will help increase their recognition of the critical role that cities must play, and ensure that energy efficiency remains the first strategy for reducing global emissions.

Proven Initiatives

The event drew more than 40 people from around the globe. Industry panelists included Alliance First Vice-Chair and Senior Vice President and Global Head of Efficiency and Sustainability Bob Dixon of Siemens Industry, Inc.; Clay Nesler, Vice President of Global Energy and Sustainability at Johnson Controls Inc.; and Jim Wolf from Jupiter Oxygen Corporation discussed trends in energy use and GHG emissions across various urban sectors.  During the discussion period, all three stressed that regulatory and policy certainty is necessary in encouraging businesses to invest in energy efficiency.

The second panel highlighted case studies of successful local-level energy efficiency initiatives around the world:

• Warren Evans, Sector Director, Environment Department, Sustainable Development at the World Bank described the Bangkok Climate Investment Funds and Amman, Jordan’s Green Growth carbon finance program;
• General Director Ariel Cano Cuevas from Mexico’s National Housing Commission (CONAVI) discussed Mexico’s green mortgage and subsidy program for low-income housing;
• Amanda Kramer, Senior Program Officer of Technology Partnerships, Climate Change International Branch at Environment Canada outlined Canada’s efforts to promote zero energy houses through the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate; and
• Patrick Hays, Mayor of North Little Rock, Ark., discussed innovative policies to save energy in several U.S. cities.  Measures taken in North Little Rock included such transportation-related innovations as:
  •  a  fixed rail trolley system and bicycle racks mounted on buses;
  • a new LEED qualification requirement for new city buildings;
  • introduction of remote meter reading and the retraining of meter readers to perform home energy audits; and
  • installation of LED street lighting.

Regulations and Incentives Are Needed

Discussion with the audience focused on how businesses can best engage with officials at the local level (e.g., through such organizations as ICLEI and the U.S. Conference of Mayors) and the need for both top-down (regulatory) as well as bottom-up (incentive) measures to achieve targeted emissions reductions.

Audience members, including Dr. Tom Batchelor of TouchDown Consulting, were pleased with the event’s focus on local-level opportunities in the buildings sector. Dr. Batchelor noted that “it’s very useful having an event like this that highlights the gains that can be made from capturing this low-hanging fruit.”

For more info

For further coverage of the Alliance's presence at COP16, check out Advancing Energy Efficiency in the World’s Electric Grids, as well as Alliance Promotes Energy Efficiency at Global Climate Talks. To learn more about the international climate talks in general, visit the COP16 website and check out the Alliance’s coverage of COP15 in 2009.