Why in News?
The EU is pushing for 100 cities including Paris, Madrid, and Amsterdam to reach net-zero emissions by the end of the decade — far earlier than their national governments plan to get there.
As governments across the world have promised to stop polluting carbon emissions by 2050, scores of European cities have pledged to get there by 2030 — just seven years from now.
Background:
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found that the world needs to cut carbon emissions to net-zero by the middle of the century.
To keep global temperatures from rising by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) — the target to which world leaders promised to try to limit global warming — humanity must cut pollution fast.
Net-zero means societies have to suck out as much carbon as they pump into the atmosphere. But technologies to remove carbon dioxide are limited and scientists are unsure how much they can absorb.
Still, that finding has led more than 100 countries to set net-zero targets for around 2050. Pressure is also rising on rich countries who have polluted the most, particularly those in Europe and North America, to move faster.
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Why would cities hit net-zero emissions in 2030?
To keep global temperatures from rising by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) – the target to which world leaders promised to try to limit global warming — humanity must cut pollution fast
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has found that societies must reach net-zero carbon emissions by mid-century, meaning they need to remove as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they emit.
However, scientists are uncertain about the effectiveness of technologies to remove carbon dioxide.
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Pressure on Rich Cities:
Disproportionate Emission:– Experts say cities are good targets for faster action because they pump out a disproportionate share of greenhouse gases — partly because they have more people and tend to be richer.
Just 10 city regions in Europe are responsible for 7.5% of the continent’s total carbon dioxide emissions, a 2022 study found.
The 100 dirtiest cities are responsible for 20% of the emissions.
Wealth and technology:–
European cities also have the wealth and technology to cut emissions quickly.
Conclusion:
Net-zero emissions by 2030 is an ambitious target that requires rapid and unprecedented action by European cities.
While there are challenges and uncertainties, earlier starts make success more likely.
Achieving this target will lead to cleaner air, safer streets, and more comfortable buildings while helping keep global temperatures from rising by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.
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EU Mission: Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities,EU Mission: Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities
